I ... entered the poem of life, whose purpose is ... simply to witness the beauties of the world, to discover the many forms that love can take. (Barabara Blackman in 'Glass After Glass')

These poems are works in progress and may be updated without notice. Nevertheless copyright applies to all writings here and all photos (which are either my own or used with permission). Thank you for your comments. I read and appreciate them all, and reply here to specific points that seem to need it — or as I have the leisure. Otherwise I reciprocate by reading and commenting on your blog posts as much as possible.

30 May 2015

Silver River: tanka, April – May 2015

The wind and I
dance out into the street
to play with leaves.
I wade through them, kick them up,
and the wind takes and swirls them.

 21/4/15


I thought I found
one of your socks in my drawer,
grabbed it up to hug.
But it was one of mine —
I threw out all your clothes.

28/4/15


we must all die
only I didn’t want you
to leave sooner
than our elderly cats
and that grey tree in the yard

5/5/15


silver river
in afternoon sun
late autumn
I linger alone
watching the water

1/5/15


distant music
a tune I think I know
I strain to hear
the soft fall of notes
your face comes to mind

19/5/15


You are not
that very young man
long ago,
my incomparable lover.
Aged now, you look happy.


21/5/15



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27 comments:

  1. Amrit Sinha31 May 2015 at 16:05

    I loved the sudden twists you brought about in some of these :-)

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  2. Mary7 June 2015 at 09:56

    Some very poignant tanka, Rosemary. The sock in the drawer tugged at my heartstrings. The happiness with oneself as one aged is something each of us would hope for oneself.

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  3. J Cosmo Newbery7 June 2015 at 16:43

    I for one hope I outlive the cats.

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  4. Sumana Roy7 June 2015 at 16:47

    each one presents different emotion, playfulness, sadness, placidity, longing and touch us deeply...

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  5. Old Egg7 June 2015 at 16:53

    I love the subtle twists that the reader can read in these, sometimes sad and resentful or funny.

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  6. brudberg7 June 2015 at 16:56

    Like notes in a diary to have these up and downs. The sock in the drawer tugged at my heart.

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  7. Jae Rose7 June 2015 at 17:49

    This felt like passing various moments of time on the river..the second 'verse' particularly choked me up but as the journey continued i am glad at least there was some light and stillness in the water...a beautiful poem..

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    1. Rosemary Nissen-Wade7 June 2015 at 18:29

      I meant then as separate tanka — but if they work for you as one whole poem, I guess that's good too. (Smile.)

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  8. Vandana Sharma7 June 2015 at 17:59

    memories and moments to cherish

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  9. Peter Coddle7 June 2015 at 18:03

    Socks are the repositories off all the good memories, i have found.

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  10. Anonymous7 June 2015 at 18:43

    Oh really lovely tanka... wonderful!

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  11. Sanaa Rizvi7 June 2015 at 19:03

    Each one depicts such beautiful emotions.. a vivid collection..! :D

    Lots of love,
    Sanaa

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  12. kaykuala7 June 2015 at 19:05

    Only to show living together can have their ups and downs. But it all the more makes life more interesting. Rightly so Rosemary!

    Hank

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  13. Roslyn Ross7 June 2015 at 21:37

    You hold a lot in a few words. Excellent.

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  14. Brother Ollie8 June 2015 at 00:00

    great inspiring work! I would like to try this style.

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  15. Susan8 June 2015 at 01:22

    I too found the poignancy of each separate one magnified in the whole, especially ending with such a comparison of old vs. young. With happiness.

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  16. totomai8 June 2015 at 01:41

    These are excellent Rosemary. I can sense a hint of sadness - not as a sad kind of sad, it's more than that. Perhaps a joyful kind of sad because of the appreciation of life? Tanka 1 and tanka 3 are so powerful. Thanks for reminding me again how powerful short poems can be :)

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  17. X8 June 2015 at 03:00

    It is fun to join in that energy of nature, kicking up those leaves and letting the wind take them in dance. Music has just such a power as well, to bring back to mind those we once shared it with.

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  18. Sherry Blue Sky8 June 2015 at 03:40

    So very beautifully poignant, Rosemary. I especially love you kicking up the leaves........you so totally rock!

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  19. Donna@LivingFromHappiness8 June 2015 at 03:49

    I really enjoyed these and though you wrote them as separate works some do weave a similar thread....very poignant!

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  20. C.C.8 June 2015 at 03:56

    The one with the cats and the tree....wow....what a gut-wrenching emotional piece.....that and the sock. Ooomph.

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  21. Myrna R.8 June 2015 at 06:11

    So nice. I enjoyed the diversity and beauty of thoughts here. Though somehow they come together - from the heart of the same person. Of course!

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  22. ZQ8 June 2015 at 06:56

    Awesome pieces...
    ZQ

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  23. Truedessa8 June 2015 at 13:38

    I enjoyed all of these they worked well together or alone, but I must admit I like the sound of distant music. Music can take us to many places tucked away in our memories.

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  24. Gen Giggles 8 June 2015 at 21:27

    Wonderful set. The feelings in these are so real.

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  25. humbird9 June 2015 at 05:10

    Loved the companionship with wind in first one, nice reflections in the rest tanka...this reflecting style, seems, become the ritual for me now...smiles

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  26. Preeti S.13 June 2015 at 16:16

    absolute favourites - all of them! :)

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