Tanka update

This tanka by Gary Colombo De Piazzi is an excellent example of a traditional tanka following the 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic structure. The break of thought and rhythm at the end of the third line is in keeping with the poem’s theme of the difficulty of articulation and utterance.

portion of each breath
arrested within the throat
neither in nor out
words almost formed in the mind
struggle in the vocal chords

Gary Colombo De Piazzi

Andrew Lansdown and Wendy Jenkins