the migrating birds
have returned to the northland–
a little too soon
so for now, their nesting plans
will have to be put on ice
–photo by me
early birds (tanka)
Tag: tanka
alone together (tanka)
for many of us
the middle of a crowd is
the loneliest place
but at least we are never
alone in our loneliness
–photo by me
look back (tanka)
people tell us to
keep moving ahead in life
and never look back–
but if we never look back,
then what are we climbing for?
–photo by me
The Battle for Love
So many young folks get married without actually understanding what true love is, and consequently end up in a stormy marriage, always battling for a love that seems to be forever beyond their reach. This tanka is for them:
the battle you fight
for love can only be won
by surrendering
for love cannot be taken;
it must be given to us
–photo by me
simple secrets (tanka)
the simplest patterns
observed in nature betray
her deepest secrets–
from the formation of stars
to the rise of life itself
–photo by me
faces (tanka)
perhaps our souls are
not somewhere deep in our chests,
but in our faces–
why else do people end up
with the face that they deserve?
–photos by me
storms pass (tanka)
the storms in life pass–
after which we may see things
in a whole new light;
the silver lining in clouds
sometimes gets left behind
–photo by me
life beyond earth (tanka)
we needn’t wonder
if there’s life beyond our earth–
the answer’s right here
if a lone island has life,
then so do the distant shores
–photo by me
photoholic (tanka)
i gave up drinking
and took up photography
to better my life–
yet i’m still stumbling around
looking for that next damn shot
–photo by me
retold tales (tanka)
respect the aged
listen to their old stories
as if they were new
they can still teach us something–
even if it’s just patience
michaeljordahl 