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Fusion poetry #3. Anaphoric rhyming Tanka

men will man up trust
heart by heart we change the world
share a share women
love to love her together
life gives life from womb to tomb

boys are boys in time
become ... be men unfurled
girls teach girls tomboys
play a play that spins and wins
time for time to reach free speech

moms of men nurture
take their take nature thirled
give and give, Mother!
side by side sister fix her
place to place the trust that must

dad does dad to joke
laugh a laugh comfort curled
up 'n up fathers
see a sea of good that should
back to back be family

2022

Author's Note

I wanted to say something about the word 'thirled'. There aren't many words that rhyme with world. I was looking at the list and wondered what that word meant. Amazing when the word you need finds you! If you don't know, it means bonded to and loyal. I really like poetic puzzles like this. Hope you enjoy the fusion of forms.

Billigami

Reviews

[Lisasview]

Hi there,
Found your poem so interesting... Yes, world is difficult to rhyme with..I have run across that issue more than once.. so, I just find a different word.. Poetic puzzles are enjoyable..and, so good to read.Thank you for the world thirled...I think most of out here have no clue about that word, nor the meaning...well, maybe that is just me.."womb to tomb"...I really liked those words...one sees immediately what that means..
Clever poem dear Michael,
Lisa, now in Spain

[William Michael Reeves]

Thanks Lisa. Glad you learned a little something. I'll look for thirled in one of your poems. The pieces of this puzzle fit nicely into a Tanka. Thanks

[Lisasview]

You are most welcome
I finally wrote a new poem.. Forevermore and have two more I am finishing up.
I wish I had more time... but, with working out, gardening, laundry, one jour of pain practice daily, artwork, teaching, enjoying meals with friends, cooking, etc..my days are full..
I promise to set aside an hour each day.. Yesterday I actually had 3 hours to write and those hours flew By... ahhh well such is life.
Lisa, 7:30am getting ready for my piano lesson at 8am.

[Betty Hermelee]

An interesting puzzle of words, and yes, I have trouble finding words that rhyme, but you did a great job. Can't say I understand it all, but nevertheless very thought-provoking... Thank you for sharing...
Best, B

[William Michael Reeves]

Quite understandable that it was hard to understand Betty. Tried to fit fairly big ideas into the 31 syllables a Tanka allows. And the anaphora used up half of those. Possibly more puzzle than poem. Just having fun trying to combine different forms. Thanks

[Betty Hermelee]

You're so adventurous! I love it!

[Patricia]

Nicely done and very clever as always, never a dull poem from you William :)

[William Michael Reeves]

Fusing forms is kind of exciting in the challenge of it. And say something meaningful too. Thinking about fusing the most difficult form, a sonnet, with easy free verse next. See if I can pull it off. Thanks Patricia.