The traditional structure of Tanka consists of 31 syllables arranged in a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern. It is often described as a “longer Haiku” because of its structure. Tanka is a lyrical, five-line poem that consists of 31 syllables. It was initially known as Waka, which means “Japanese poem.” Tanka, which means “short song,” emerged as a distinct form of Waka in the 13th century. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry that dates back to the 8th century. Two of the most well-known forms of Japanese poetry are Tanka and Haiku. This tradition of poetry has gained immense popularity worldwide and has become an integral part of the literary canon of many cultures. There is no sound, no sound at all.Stop by The Small Nouns and catch up on the Poetry Friday goings-on in the blogosphere.Japanese poetry has been celebrated for its concise yet evocative nature, capturing moments of beauty, simplicity, and profundity. Here's a poem by Behn called 'Lost': I shall remember chuffs the train Just look at what's happening in Wisconsin. Perhaps we need what normal children seem not to have lost-a faintly amused view of what is.It's as if Behn could see what America would be like in 2011-'confused and wooed by hate on one side and fear on the other.' That's it in a nutshell. It becomes harder to know what is just or honest. With everyone consigned to one side or the other, we are confused and wooed by hate on one side and fear on the other. Every other paragraph has a quotable line or two, this one is my favorite: Keyed up as we are by the incessant din of causes, we have lost composure and the ability to think our own thoughts. I absolutely love it! Behn came from another time-a time when poets and poetry still had a presence in American life. It is a series of short essays on Behn's life, children, and poetry. Only one library in NH still had it listed in our state system! I received the book last week and started right in on it. It sounded interesting, so I put in an interlibrary loan request for it since it is out of print (published in 1968).

In my search I found mention of another Behn title, Chrysalis: Concerning Children and Poetry. I thought about the book the other day and went looking for it again. Many years ago when I first became interested in haiku, I came across a book by Harry Behn called Cricket Songs: Japanese Haiku.

Halloween poem by harry behn