June 12, 2023 Tanka is a traditional poetry form, its origin is Japanese, almost similar to Haiku, only it ends with 2 additional lines (Couplet). Not only does it have a specific syllabic count for each line (5-7-5-7-7), it's normally written from vivid imagery to contemplative in its closing lines, mainly in some type of metaphor, simile or personification. On May 30th, 2023, the ILA Magazine Poetry Group offered a Tanka challenge to its members and out of 23 entries, we chose 10 so, without further ado, kick off your shoes, grab your favorite beverage, sit back in your easy chair and delve into the beautiful poems we present to you.
"UNTITLED"

Silent as shadows
Ninja moves with grace and might
Torrid battles fought
In virility's embrace
Unbow shines in gloaming's realm.

© DEX AMOROSO "UNTITLED"

Sunbow at sunrise
Viridity by the falls
Torrid realm in grace
Gloaming of weary spirit
Vanishes with wind's whisper.

© LORETA C. BANDE "UNTITLED"

Beneath the sunbow
Why this torrid virgin wind
Lures the dead pulse
To beguile these virid tongues
Change the tune of drooping dove.

© MUSHTAQUE B. BARQ
"WITNESS OF THE NIGHT"

As the night unfolds
Darkness creeps in the twilight
Gloaming hides in fright
Silent fields bear witness to
An Exodus once untold

© MAYYU HAMIM
"UNTITLED"

In torrid embrace
Sunbow hues ignite the sky
Viridity blooms
Gloaming whispers secrets soft
Nature's poetry unfolds.

© MOHAMMAD ERFUN AMIN "NATURE'S FOLLY"

At the sun bow's bend
A torrid essence beaming
Buoyant clouds rolled by
Shed a veil of downcast frown
Raindrops smiled on arid land.

© GUS PEREZ AMIO "IN GLOAMING TIME"

Sun tired in harsh day
Sun wants out of torrid time
With weary spirit
Going slowly down the sea
Trees stand tall and bade adieu

Then rain falls, dancing
Sates torridity -remnants
Wind comes wings flapping
And kindles viridity
Trees feel great in gloaming time.

© ENCY BEARIS "MEMORIES"

Emotions are tossed
On the waves of remembrance
Leaving the sunbow
Bereft of viridity
In the last gloaming of life.

© SHWETA SAHAI "WAKE UP CALL" Sunbow heralded
Arrival of torrid sun
Hens took golden bath
Rooster scolded lazy hen
Why delay in sowing seeds

© SUBHASHCHANDRA ADHAV


"A BLOOMING DESERT"

The desert blooms life
Vibrant, torrid sun soaked strife
Sand, wind, sing along
When the sun calls out a song
With its sweet beat, it prolongs

Lo! Sunbow caress,
The sky, clothed in her blue dress,
As plants come forth from
Desert's troth, hard to believe
A sight of beauty that weaves.

© OLUSEGUN AJAYI