Frank J. Tassone

“sunlit ripples…” a #tanka (5/21/20)

Photo by Ian Turnell on Pexels.com

sunlit ripples

as the current continues

through the bend

all the times I fought

when I could have flowed

#tanka #micropoetry #poetry

I’m hosting MTB today at dVerse Poets, where we explore 5-line Japanese Poetic Forms. The pub is open! Come join us!

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Comments

51 responses to ““sunlit ripples…” a #tanka (5/21/20)”

  1. Kim RussellM. Avatar
    Kim RussellM.

    The sunlit ripples shine through your tanka, Frank, and set the tone beautifully. I can think of times when I could have flowed, too. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Jane Dougherty Avatar
    Jane Dougherty

    I admire anyone who can get a tanka right. Good one, Frank 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you, Jane! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. msjadeli Avatar
    msjadeli

    Words of wisdom there for sure.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Nabeela Avatar
    Nabeela

    We have to learn from nature….

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Tranature - quiet moments in nature Avatar
    Tranature – quiet moments in nature

    Beautifully penned Frank and I love the realisation in the last two lines especially 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you, Xenia! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. rothpoetry Avatar
    rothpoetry

    Wonderful Frank! Seems to be the story of our life!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you, Dwight! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  7. Carol J Forrester Avatar
    Carol J Forrester

    Love those last two lines.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  8. Glenn A. Buttkus Avatar
    Glenn A. Buttkus

    A tanka for the ages, Frank , so gentle, so true. I, of course wrote two of all three prompt choices.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thanks, Glenn! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  9. Maggie C Avatar
    Maggie C

    Beautifully conveyed. And boy howdy, I can relate!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. anthonyborderline Avatar
    anthonyborderline

    What life is about in a nutshell, fighting the stream ’till you get to get on with it and see only thing you’re fighting is yourself. Then it’s surf on!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Still learning how to surf! Thanks! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  11. Frank Hubeny Avatar
    Frank Hubeny

    I like the contrast between fighting through those times and flowing through them.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thanks, Frank! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. merrildsmith Avatar
    merrildsmith

    So well done, Frank! It flows effortlessly, but with the twist. And yes–all the times.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thanks, Merril! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. memadtwo Avatar
    memadtwo

    I’m sure we all remember those moments. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Indeed! Thanks, K! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  14. Beverly Crawford Avatar
    Beverly Crawford

    We all too often fight when we should flow, do we not?! Love this.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. revivedwriter Avatar
    revivedwriter

    The last 2 lines fit with the first 3, while broadening their scope, and I agree with the sentiment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you! 😀

      Like

      Reply
  16. Truedessa Avatar
    Truedessa

    There is deep wisdom in so few words, sometimes in life we just need to learn to float

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  17. peterfrankiswrites Avatar
    peterfrankiswrites

    Such a clever turn from the outside world to the internal, and even a hint of regret. Concise and insightful. Super stuff.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you! 😀

      Like

      Reply
  18. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    I really enjoyed your poem. If only we could have those moments when we got it wrong back and flow instead of fight.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      If only. But the river flows on, and so must we. Thank you, Suzanne! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  19. sarahsouthwest Avatar
    sarahsouthwest

    Oh, excellent, Frank. I shall try and hold this with me over the next few days. I’m a bit scrappy at the moment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      I know that feeling! Thank you, Sarah! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  20. calmkate Avatar
    calmkate

    a wish that strongly resonates!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Indeed. Thanks! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. The Lonely Recluse Avatar
    The Lonely Recluse

    Sometimes it is better to fight than to follow the flow, although the question then becomes when do we fight, and when do we flow? Thanks for the poem, and hosting

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you for your thoughtful response! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  22. Christine Irving Avatar
    Christine Irving

    My sentiments exactly in an elegant tanka. I think this goes up on the fridge.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you, Christine! 😀

      Like

      Reply
  23. Helen Avatar
    Helen

    OH MY, this is an image that could have been snapped right outside my city, “Bend, Oregon” I love it and your poetry.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you, Helen! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  24. Linda Lee Lyberg Avatar
    Linda Lee Lyberg

    So much wisdom in so few words. Well done Frank!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thank you, Linda! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  25. lynn__ Avatar
    lynn__

    Fabulous, Frank!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thanks, Lynn__! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  26. hank77 Avatar
    hank77

    kaykuala

    all the times I fought
    when I could have flowed

    Frustrating lockdown aftermath it is and still not knowing either way when it’s going to be over!

    Hank

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Truth! Thanks, Hank! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  27. Mary (tqhousecat) Avatar
    Mary (tqhousecat)

    Such truth here!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Thanks, Mary! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  28. jazzytower Avatar
    jazzytower

    “…times I fought

    when I could have flowed…” Always best spotted in hindsight isn’t it? That’s life.

    Pat

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Frank J. Tassone Avatar
      Frank J. Tassone

      Indeed, it is, Pat. Thank you! 🙂

      Like

      Reply

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Frank J. Tassone

Husband, Father, Writer, Teacher. American Haijin. Because Haikai matters!

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