Event 3: Somonka (Tanka Pairs)

Liminality · 2021-08-02T23:59:42Z

Somonka (Tanka Pairs) Summary: Write a somonka, a 10-line poetic form of Japanese origin. Judges: Liminality How to Enter: Post your entry in this thread using the spoiler code, shown below, along with your team name (if you have one!) [spoiler]insert entry here[/spoiler] Description: The earliest somonka(or relationship poem) are found in the Manyoshu, a 1st century AD anthology of Japanese poems - at that time they were romantic poems among court lovers. However, somonka can express platonic love as well. Typically, the first tanka is a statement or declaration of love by one speaker, followed by a second tanka that is a response to that declaration by another speaker. A tanka usually has the following syllable structure: 5 syllables 7 syllables 5 syllables 7 syllables 7 syllables So the overall somonka would be: 5 7 5 7 7 5 7 5 7 7 There's room for flexbility, though! Bonus: include the kireji or 'cutting word' as a transition in place of punctuation such as a comma or full stop (period). The kireji is a strong image or word that causes a reader to change focus. Source of info: Poetry Magnum Opus on somonka, on kireji , on tanka . Example: Translated by Alexander Vovin from Man'yoshu Book 15: A new translation containing the original text, kana translietration, romanization, glossing and commentary (2009) Pub. BRILL, p.36-37 15.3580 If the fog rises at the seaside lodging where my lord is going, know that it is my breath that rises lamenting for you. 15.3581 Although we will see each other when autumn arrives, I wonder, why you should lament so that your breath would rise as fog? (note: the original does not come with line breaks in this way, but I've added them in based on the divisions marked in on the text) For an example originally written in the English language, see Robert Lee Brewer's poem Sugar . If you need help counting syllables (though as mentioned earlier, the syllable rules are really quite flexible in somonka), you can use a syllable counter as a guide (trust your instincts first, though :D). I'll be judging based on: 1. the use of the form and themes of somonka (so the poem has to count as a somonka. Leeway for creative modifications exists, for instance if you have 6-7-6-7-7 syllables to make it flow, that still works, but you won't be eligible for this event if you submit a free verse poem!). 2. creativity - for instance, is it an unusual or unique idea? Or a 'typical' idea but developed in a unique way? 3. quality of imagery - so that means specificity and how it evokes emotion. Good luck and have fun! End time : 08/04/2021 00:00 GMT

kattee

Gender

Points 4934

Reviews 81

Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:17 pm

kattee says... · Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:17 pm

Spoiler

the ocean is the redflag-next-shore

shuttled to your shore
I shoved parts of Me between
your shell-blades, Others
were drowned by My Own waves -- you’re
lovely as always.

don’t flatter me as
your whining damped my pixie
dust, too murky to
carry on my shell blades -- i’ll
drown if you don’t leave so please.

If you want some sweet reviews to your poems, short stories, and essays, come by Katteelogue.

Have a lovely day❤️

looseleaf

Gender

Points 3014

Reviews 148

Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:28 pm

looseleaf says... · Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:28 pm

I guess I'll participate in something (this is really bad, I'm sorry).

Spoiler

fuzzy brown furball
brought sunshine into my life
always by my side
turning sad tears into smiles
truly a woman's best friend

tall loving woman
beautiful and radiant
gives me love and joy
she will care until the end
truly a dog’s bestest friend

"rick roll me daddy" - Rick Astley, 2022

niteowl

Supporter

Gender

Points 39955

Reviews 1288

Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:52 pm

niteowl says... · Tue Aug 03, 2021 11:52 pm

Spoiler

At karaoke,
I thought I saw him, as if
He loved me enough to
Stay, as if he could know that
I was singing this for him.

She sang the song, sweet,
That hurts me when it plays-but
I’m the one who hurt
Us, leaving like a fool. Now
She sings, but never for me.

"You do ill if you praise, but worse if you censure, what you do not understand." Leonardo Da Vinci

<YWS><R1>

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