Proposing The
Tankatwist: A New Form
1. Tankatwist is
based on the tanka form, structured in fives lines within which
can be read two parts.
2. The short, long, short, of the first part is kept, but
followed by a long, and ending with a short which repeats the
text of the first line.
3. Short lines should not exceed five syllables and long lines
should not exceed seven syllables.
4. Short lines should be seen as short lines and long lines
should be seen as long lines.
5. Line three should be read as important to the meaning of both
parts.
6. The poem may be presented with a break showing the two
distinct parts; One Part will carry three lines and the other
two or vice versa; however, the aspect of continuity and meaning
must be maintained; both parts should be seamed and read
together.
7. Western elements of metaphor, rhyme, and similies are
unimportant to the Tankatwist.
8. The content of tankatwist is based on reality rather than
fantasy and can cover any topic; a little humour will lighten
the hearts of both writer and reader.
9. Tankatwists can be complemented by images; then they will be
called illustrated Tankatwists.
10. A Tankatwist can be the work of a solo writer or it can be
jointly written; in either case, it can be written with or with
a a break.
10. Tankatwists can be themed and written in joint or single
sequences; then they will be called - A Tankatwist Sequence; or
- A Joint Tankatwist Sequence.
11. It is fair to criticize the tankatwist within the tenets of
the asian forms, looking for skillful use of juxtaposition,
resonance, and appeal to the senses; but it would be unfair to
criticize along the lines of a tanka because it is not a tanka—it
is a tankatwist; where two crucial lines in the tanka are no
longer
operating as respond; or sumary, but now there exits instead a
new
development, of part two, which carries a constraint: Line Five
must be a short line—it
must repeat Line One; Part Two, even if written as a break from
Part One, is not a stand alone, but relies on Line Three to
continue its meaning.
Quiet
quiet night
i miss the sound of windchimes
amusing me
all day long the gently breezes
quiet night
Clock
sound of the clock
marking the passing of time
night into morning
a constant tick tock tick tock
sound of the clock
Yellow
night blooms
in the shadowy dark
yellow poui
and too yellow ixoras
night blooms
Clouds
sunset clouds
painting the azure of sky
approaching night
bird formations fly into
sunset clouds
Long Days
lengthening days
filling the afternoons
sunny highlights
and late bird whistles
lengthening days
The Chorus
one bird whistles
then several others answer
brightness of morning
they start another song round
one bird whistles
Untitled
enjoying a walk
in the pouring rain
i refuse—
the offer of a ride home
enjoying a walk
