Tanka Appreciation Essays

 An ongoing column in the Tanka Society of America’s quarterly newsletter has been the selection and discussion by members of some of their favorite tanka. Poems have come from various sources, and have focused mainly on English-language poems, but occasionally on translations from the Japanese. This column, which I’ve had the pleasure to coordinate since the beginning, has engaged our members and highlighted many excellent tanka, and we are pleased to present a selection of these columns here. More columns will be added as we obtain permissions, so check back regularly.

In having Tanka Society of America members contribute to this column, I’ve asked that selected poems be at least a year old, and that they write about 200 to 300 words (though this has varied) on what they think makes the poem work well as a tanka, as well as how the poem reverberated for them or surprised them. The poems have ranged widely in topic and tone, and the commentaries have done a fine job in telling personal responses to the poems or in unpacking the techniques the poet used to make the tanka succeed. Together, these brief columns make for an educational and enjoyable exploration of a growing number of excellent poems.

And you can read more—each new issue of the TSA Newsletter carries an additional “Favorite Tanka” contribution. If you’re not a TSA member, please consider joining today so you can read these and other columns each quarter. And, if you might like to write a “Favorite Tanka” column yourself, please contact me. Enjoy!

• A Favourite Tanka: Brian Tasker

• A Favourite Tanka: Zane Parks

• A Favourite Tanka: George Swede