Tanka Girl

2008-08-05T23:43:00.001-07:00

in trying to write
the trying becomes harder
words chafe on the page
and I hate every idea
until I give it all up

2008-07-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

small break while Tanka Girl gets school work shaped up

2008-07-16T23:55:00.000-07:00

extraneous words
laborious metaphors
make for a slow read
like syrup on a pancake
like what the f* does it mean

2008-07-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

I look like my aunt
my aunt looks like my grandma
my aunt denies this
my grandma looks like her mom
and her mom came from Sweden

fact: many of Tanka Girls poems are fiction.

Tho I do look like my aunt, she looks like her grandmother - but that grandmother is not my grandmother's mother. Confused? Sallright.

2008-07-14T23:58:00.000-07:00

can't blame her for it
she was born with boobs and hips
a girl can't help it
TAGC combine and
voilà you're a sex-pot

Tanka Girl is going to Seattle to help sweetest aunt recover from surgery. I'll see to posting but forgive me if I flub it off like a lazy bum who's busy tending family matters.

2008-07-13T23:45:00.000-07:00

they still don't get it
Marilyn Monroe married
to Arthur Miller
the mind is not the body
but body is all we see

2008-07-12T23:21:00.000-07:00

I hiss through my teeth
as my cat claws the sofa
I tell him to stop
ignoring me he pulls threads
until I stand up and yell

2008-07-11T01:10:00.000-07:00

hot pink rubber shoes
beware of gingivitis
stirring pots of soup
this is what the tv shows
when I flick through the channels

2008-07-10T00:16:00.000-07:00

lots of things to do
but nothing ever gets done
knitting still not through
work deadlines are yet to come
why can't I be entertained

2008-07-09T01:31:00.000-07:00

writing all day long
fingers curled in from typing
half a cantaloupe
an empty tray of cookies
and a ravaged sack of chips

2008-07-08T00:12:00.000-07:00

I update my links
connecting to some journals
publishing tanka
dealing with long-dead topics
like sailboating emperors

2008-07-07T00:48:00.000-07:00

without shedding blood
no forgiveness of your sins
take your vicodin
one out of four citizens
is in prison - but what for

2008-07-06T01:17:00.000-07:00

that suit is perfect
see history has failed us
she is infusive
there is no equality
if only I could be her

2008-07-05T00:08:00.000-07:00

I can hardly breathe
those damn kids with their rockets
knee high sparkler spray
flashing red and blue all night
and me too old to enjoy

2008-07-04T02:07:00.000-07:00

Ronald Reagan's gut
I can't stop thinking of it
stuffed with juicy treats
rotund in a rotunda
feeding nothing but a box

2008-07-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

Bah to these questions
peace is not inside your head
windows are blockades
we can't imagine nature
just to look is not enough

2008-07-01T22:25:00.000-07:00

Jesus died for you
without blood, no safety found
the army wants you
redemption found on a pew
recruitment found in high school

2008-06-22T16:49:00.001-07:00

hey, y'all. I'm at school - pacific university low-res mfa - get heavy w/o me, k?

2008-06-16T00:22:00.000-07:00

our bodies crumble
what's the point of healthy food
desperate exercise
arms, legs pushing away worms
inevitable as breath

2008-06-12T01:15:00.000-07:00

they had sextuplets
and camera crews follow them
what helps pay the bills
shield the kids from the beggars
let them go to disneyland

2008-06-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

easier to write
than to walk down interstate
see the cops at work
cuffing another poor guy
no more 'will work for food' sign

2008-06-10T00:08:00.000-07:00

quality of life
questionable in these days
bulbs shipped from Holland
dinner shipped in pressed wood crate
soul shipped in box with iphone

2008-06-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

they're building a dam
the world's third longest river
hydroelectric
millions relocate
sea life doomed to die

2008-04-21T00:30:00.000-07:00

because you are smart
you think they think you are dumb
forget what they think
squeamishness serves the weak ones
there's no valor in squeamish

2008-04-14T01:33:00.000-07:00

she's a vampire
she has no skills or a clue
old enough to know
but the blood damaged her brain
now she sits and drinks coffee

2008-04-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

no one comes to read
which, for this author, is good
because i can skip
instead stare out the window
at the crossing power lines

2008-04-11T22:46:00.000-07:00

some days I am rash
like a grumpy household pet
that never gets out
gives you disdainful glances
and you know there's no repair

2008-04-10T14:51:00.001-07:00

fifty five emails
over two hundred folders
a system of life
for those who fear the living
and interface through a screen

2008-04-09T22:43:00.000-07:00

each of us decends
from that ancient átomos
primitive adam
with mass in the nucleus
surrounded by social laws

2008-04-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

they say that it's true
there's prozac in the water
more serotonin
pisses through city filters
and fish are soaked with prozac

2008-04-07T01:47:00.001-07:00

this cat keeps walking
pushing into my keyboard
purring like she knows
as if she aims to repair
this human disconnection

2008-04-06T23:46:00.000-07:00

something about rice
my friend Davey can't cook it
he burns the bottom
then the pan always has this
shaded pattern of burnt rice

2008-04-05T23:58:00.000-07:00

they say take your life
seriously, seize the day,
you only live once
but I say make life a joke
so that you and yours may laugh

2008-04-04T21:50:00.000-07:00

two forty year olds
old buddies from years gone by
sit in the kitchen
two computers side-by-side
sharing funny videos

2008-04-03T13:30:00.000-07:00

the test is over
close your composition book
put down the pencil
learning only goes so far
life can be lived without books

2007-11-29T09:57:00.000-08:00

Tanka Girl is taking a break because hardly anyone ever visits this site. Thank you for stopping by. If you feel I should continue, please comment.

2007-11-13T00:07:00.001-08:00

inject the great books
fill your time with the paper
rest your eyes on words
fuller lips, fewer wrinkles
a thin nose and full blond hair

2007-11-12T01:20:00.001-08:00

the interviewer
in his purposeful wrinkles
looks like he's asleep
so intelligent he nods
it's true he knows the answers

2007-11-11T00:29:00.000-08:00

last year was better
the sun imparted more heat
the clouds were rounder
all was easier to paint
easier to capture God

2007-11-10T12:53:00.000-08:00

she talks without teeth
her dentures shift out her vowels
lips weakly curbing
determination to speak
but her eyes still light ideas

2007-11-09T16:00:00.001-08:00

all is wet with rain
they say the world is dying
my arms around you
you say the world is ours forever
and I choose to believe you

2007-11-08T03:07:00.000-08:00

they wait in the line
groceries in a push cart
she points at Esquire
he rolls his eyes, shove the cart
hands a pack of gum to her

2007-11-07T02:22:00.000-08:00

giant fresh baked treat
the children love to eat you
your sweet insides mush
with each bite they take of you
in their love of sugar lumps

2007-11-06T14:51:00.000-08:00

we used to be close
shared secrets and ideas
similar life goals
and then I became wicked
we split up and talk no more

2007-11-05T02:02:00.000-08:00

how her lips curve down
when she sees you walking by
her desk stacked with files
eyes no longer register
she controls naught but her mind

2007-11-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

she stands to one side
her legs shapely as crib notes
a single vein sprung
shattered purple feathering
from her shorts to her ankle

2007-11-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

grandpa's makeup kit
dusty old unicycle
and juggling balls
neglected in the closet
waiting for grandkids to care

2007-11-02T01:51:00.001-07:00

it has been three years
when I see you I feel it
time has passed between
but I still hate that you live
and never want to see you

2007-11-01T05:12:00.001-07:00

my lovely Betty,
you told me not to see you
that you need your space
but I can't help following
or using your web password

2007-10-31T05:11:00.000-07:00

curling all the Qs
minding the peas and carrots
raising the split ends
so one may find his own truth
amid the clash of this world

2007-10-30T05:11:00.000-07:00

disconnect my mind
from the underground cable
put my feet outside
let my body follow them
force my eyes to see the world

2007-10-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

mitt on his fingers
he leans against the chain link
shouting to the stands
he wonders why his feet sweat
and if he will catch her eye

2007-10-28T01:19:00.000-07:00

eyes chilled icicle
because I refuse to sleep
Rest is the wicked
and I will not give him fame
though I yawn and roll back tired

2007-10-27T23:29:00.000-07:00

you cannot escape
husbands and wives will divide
the lord is master
and your sin will be punished
stand tall to embrace your flag

2007-10-26T01:06:00.001-07:00

the dog at the cookies
and I angry with him yelled
I grabbed at his scruff
and dragged him to the counter
where he curled tight and I screamed

2007-10-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

I forgot his name
but he used to be real sweet
the way his teeth crossed
and how his lips would snap shut
when he doubted his word choice

2007-10-24T00:56:00.000-07:00

the wood fire snaps
fizzle of coal descends slow
lands beside your foot
and you worry about fire
as something you can't control

2007-10-23T00:28:00.000-07:00

Orfeo's guitar
string broken, the sun won't rise
propped against a tree
no one will touch it, or play
fearing power of the sun

2007-10-22T04:21:00.001-07:00

hours on the clock
just watch the hands revolving
confining your life
greenbacks paid for admission
the final viewing starts now

2007-10-20T00:24:00.000-07:00

leaves are turning red
put a log in the fire
tea is growing cold
put the kettle on the stove
keep your comfort organized

2007-10-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

it feels like dried glue
the way superglue adheres
that numb skin feeling
when you realize you're sick
and will be sick for the week

2007-10-18T01:22:00.000-07:00

my love has a cold
he's wrapped himself in blankets
bleary invalid
head crushed between the pillows
a self imposed confinement

2007-10-17T00:20:00.000-07:00

an online purchase
another box at the door
hustle it inside
feel the weight of decision
with no one to see the buy

2007-10-16T00:03:00.000-07:00

I've lined the book shelf
descending order, tall, small
flower adhesive
discarded contact paper
with titles dead and alive

2007-10-15T00:41:00.000-07:00

his age is twenty
and he brags of all he's seen
I blush to think it
we know so much when we're young
experience is relative

2007-10-14T01:19:00.000-07:00

crystal liaison
celebrity of awards
savage garage rock
solid chemical process
and the meaning of lameness

2007-10-13T15:14:00.001-07:00

my love tries to quit
but he smoked for twenty years
his face is older
as though nicotine gave youth
as though quitting invites death

2007-10-12T15:14:00.000-07:00

the way he spikes up
looks like the devil's poison
he prowls the party
critical of the others
entitled to press his suit

2007-10-11T23:46:00.000-07:00

orange beard shaped to point
egomaniacal jerk
stubborn with his words
redacted in his quoting
scavenger of attention

2007-10-08T22:28:00.001-07:00

Tanka girl will be out of town. Tanka to resume 10/11.

2007-10-06T03:10:00.001-07:00

the geese count seconds
the sky is dark at midnight
hear their wings beating
not quite unison
not quite south for the winter

2007-10-05T03:09:00.001-07:00

hours devoted
the dress splits in the middle
teenage desire
the basement playmate clip-out
damp crinkled from handling

2007-10-04T04:40:00.001-07:00

nose like a dreidle
molded plastic streaming jets
computer melt down
the things we works so hard for
obsession of luxury

2007-10-03T02:37:00.000-07:00

you can read her face
the downward tilt of her chin
iris under lid
crumpled corners of her mouth
a discarded expression

2007-10-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

lips slack to the floor
another drunken evening
brown bottle life style
two fingers make two lips speak
until all the words are gone

2007-10-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

you curl your feathers
when you sleep in the light
dreams flex your muscles
I want to pull the blankets
to cover your naked toes

2007-09-30T01:35:00.000-07:00

he may be waiting
and it may be you know it
but you have the right
to pretend you're unaware
until you hear his pacing

2007-09-29T01:08:00.000-07:00

half a cantaloupe
I eat it and the cat meows
follows me around
because he wants to eat some
because he loves to eat fruit

2007-09-28T00:34:00.000-07:00

a bag of clusters
bought at the grocery store
caramel chocolate coated
smeared fingers, crusty corners
a diabetic delight

2007-09-27T01:13:00.000-07:00

people used to laugh
mini bar, martini bar,
the cocktail hour
hair set, suit pressed, ten cent bet
squeeze money from a towel

2007-09-26T22:43:00.000-07:00

he wants to counsel
so he puts on a suit vest
and penny loafers
lets his hair grow out silver
and takes a stoic approach

2007-09-25T00:49:00.000-07:00

doctor lifts the skin
layers of fat are exposed
pink and red mingle
she never felt comfortable
white not brown, brown not blond, girl

2007-09-24T01:43:00.000-07:00

four hundred dollars
folded and rolled in a can
mother's tin nest egg
each dollar accounted for
sealed away for future

2007-09-23T00:38:00.000-07:00

she's not feeling it
going through the emotions
wishing she were numb
how he talks about the girl
fingers around a wine glass

2007-09-22T00:42:00.000-07:00

she is all jangles
she ain't got no melody
people think she's bright
she is like a glass
overused she makes you sick

2007-09-21T01:59:00.000-07:00

I point with a book
afraid I will get too close
the cat understands
the spider I point at squats
in that moment is God's breath

2007-09-20T01:06:00.000-07:00

the paint brush leaves lines
that you wish you could remove
you apply more paint
separation grows deeper
a world dipped in acrylic

2007-09-19T00:19:00.000-07:00

warning sign orange
orange that means toxic content
Halloween is here
wrappers pile on the counter
brown smears around his smile

2007-09-18T00:45:00.000-07:00

three friends sit and drink
one feeds the camp fire and smiles
another smokes grass
the third clears his throat and says
what would make this better is

2007-09-17T02:11:00.000-07:00

all these cars rushing
cutting across the divide
splitting and forking
such graceless speeding
blocked off thoughts and mindless rush

2007-09-15T23:52:00.000-07:00

japanese maple
pizza delivered late night
the way branches arch
the way the car pulls the curb
it's the american dream

2007-09-15T02:22:00.001-07:00

i feel distracted
needing more entertainment
the tv is on
i've got chips, brownies and milk
my ass feels so effing fat

2007-09-14T02:33:00.000-07:00

Wendy stands alone
people around her shimmer
blur out of focus
because Wendy is beauty
still in the noise of living

2007-09-13T00:04:00.000-07:00

enchanting with song
you leave me for the others
then Mizgir’ sees me
he leaves Kupava for me
even though my heart is yours

2007-09-12T00:20:00.000-07:00

six candles melting
table greased with lemon pledge
papers under chairs
pretend hospitality
to the thrift store furniture

2007-09-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

over Thai noodles
we discuss Munkácsy's art
mathematical lines
the balance of light and dark
the importance of gesture

2007-09-10T01:43:00.000-07:00

powder puffs and patch
don't whistle in the green room
don't say it's good luck
producers may drink and snarl
but the show still must go on

2007-09-09T00:36:00.000-07:00

they are a vision
dancing on the vinyl disk
a record that skips
her silver and sequin gown
his green tap dance bellboy suit

2007-09-08T00:44:00.000-07:00

Moira's the first
five hundred twenty two years
guarding the tower
and she is the first woman
oh, what will the ravens think

2007-09-07T01:04:00.000-07:00

Roxanne you broke hearts
your dimples and bodice tight
préciosité
the thing which knocks men to knees
and binds women behind lace