tanka

Back for TankaTuesday

/ boz bozeman / 14 Comments

Been a while since I posted, but I have been writing! Working on making my novel into episodes, with the goal of publishing on Kindle Vella when it is ready.

The haiku below relate to the work I’ve been doing outdoors in this summers extreme heat. Good to be back on Tanka Tuesday!

In smoldering heat
The black mulch glistens wetly
Sweat soaking my shirt

Hawks cry and circle
I point them to the mole holes
Whose mounds scar the lawn

The sun blazes heat
In the green leaf shade I rest
Leaning on the spade

Happy Thanksgiving

/ boz bozeman / 5 Comments

For this weeks #tankatuesday, I reflected on a flurry that was spinning in the air as I took Anna out for our little walk before bed. I love these small hints of winter, and snow’s crystal nature and dancing ways always fascinate me.

I don’t know about you, but I would take snow over cold rain any day. 

The brief snowflakes swirl
In a dance of becoming
That changes to rain

If you like my poems, I hope you’ll check out my new book Self of Steam. Many of the poems, such as the title verse, are based on mistakes my students made in their writing that suggested poetic images to me. I would love for you to give it a try.

Big Challenge from #tankatuesday

/ boz bozeman / 12 Comments

This week’s challenge asked us to write three tanka and use these “kigo phrases” at the beginning or middle-hinge line:

#1: “the first month with sleet”
#2: “late winter garden”
#3: “blanket by the fire”

Here is mine!

The first month with sleet
Hike leaning into the wind
Beard reducing sting
A mask from the intense cold
My head bows to Nature's strength

The seeds we have not planted
No growth drinks the waning sun
Late winter garden
A product of fantasy
No farms no food then no feast

Wind opens the door
Icicle beard melts in warmth
A blanket by the fire
Wine glasses reflecting flames
My warmth is doubled by her

Be the first to buy my new poetry book Self of Steam

I am a tree for #tankatuesday

/ boz bozeman / 12 Comments

This weeks challenge involves using this website to find out what tree you are. I am an alder. The characteristics that immediately caught my attention were “trailblazer” and “pathfinder”, since I spend so much time in the woods. 

Did I find this path?
It has been worn into soil
By thousands of feet.
Now I add my steps to it
My mind blazing a new way.

Although I often walk the same trails, they have a “same river twice” quality. I find that every hike is unique, and now matter how many times I walk the same path, my mind is renewed.

Have some fun and take the challenge here.