Climate Change: The Burning Issue

Fires ravaged vast areas of land across Australia during the last few months of 2019, and well into the start of 2020. Amanda D'costa, David Terelinck, and I felt that we could create awareness of what is happening around us through tanka. Numerous poets around the world joined in and supported our cause. During the months of February and March 2020, we raised a total amount of $1365 AUD ($880.97 USD). Thank you for your wonderful and wholehearted support. This amount has been donated to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, in New South Wales, Australia. 

Congratulations to all the winners, and a big thank you to all who have supported this contest and fundraiser by way of tanka and donations.

The winners of this contest went above and beyond in terms of quality, extending the metaphor and the inferred emotion. Click the link to find the results. 

Annual Tanka Contest 2018 (Mandy's Pages)

I didn't expect this so I was so thrilled when I found out about it. It pays to resubmit a poem in another journal or contest even after it had been rejected. You just never know! 

Here is the comment of this year's judge, Shrikaanth Krishnamurthy.

 Another trim poem that says a lot in a few words.

There are two strands I read here- one of how “my wanting you” is sticky? And also how and how much “I want you” to love me back. Related but separate. Another interesting take for me as reader, that the author may not have made in mind, is how the sap of frangipani, which is toxic, can also be a balm for certain skin conditions. So another cautionary tale here- in small amounts, it’s all good. Make it too much, and it all goes to pot.

Isn’t this the trap into which many of us fall whilst we love? To be too close for comfort! That can leave one claustrophobic and screaming for some fresh air. This lack of space can often be the death knell to many a relationship.

Click here to enjoy all the winning selection and judge's comment.

2018 Tanka Society of America Sanford Goldstein Tanka Contest

There were 81 participants from 9 countries: Australia, Canada, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, UK, and the USA, for a total of 476 entries! 

Honorable Mention

The judges' report on my poem. 

As sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, and each of us who navigate the road of family, this poem is filled with perfect imagery—the fallen apple. The apple is an archetypal image for fairy tales such as Snow White and told in religion tales like the apple of Adam and Eve. The apple carries a plethora of childhood memories: apple pies, bobbing for apples, worms hidden deep, star seeds, health, sweetness, bitterness, and so on. Even more, the poet mentions polishing off the dirt to make the apple shine, and the absence of mother-in-law’s words. What more would she say? What is she saying in the unsaid? We were struck by the ease of how the poem read and the depth of its story. This made our minds swirl with perspective and intrigue, something well done by this poet.

To enjoy all the judges' report and winning selection, click here. 

Prizes for Winning the Annual Tanka Contest 2017

     I feel so blessed! As the 1st prize winner of the Annual Tanka Contest 2017 at Mandy's Pages, I did not only receive $100 cash but also these wonderful gifts. Thank you so much, Amanda Mittra Dcosta, Debbie Strange, and Pamela A. Babusci!

     Two years ago, I won first place. I received $100, a bag, a certificate, and a bunch of poetry books. Amanda always make sure that there are tons of prizes. Why don't you check out the contest next year and consider submitting? Most probably, I will be judging again since I won this year. :-)

Annual Tanka Contest 2017

     July was not only a month of celebrating my birthday, but also a month of celebrating honors received from different contests. It started earning the name as Haiku Master of the Week, making it to the merit list of Sonic Boom's 3rd Annual Senryu Contest, then ending the month with an unexpected surprise—garnering the 1st place in the Annual Tanka Contest 2017 in Mandy's Pages. The latest award was a very wonderful surprise because I had won 1st place in 2015. I am so honored! I was the judge last year and blindly selected Debbie Strange's tanka as the first prize winner. This year as the judge, she picked my tanka. She wrote to me and say that we must be kindred spirits. I agree!

     This year the contest attracted 84 entries. I was not surprised because she had so many prizes in store for the winners.

First Prize : USD 100.00 + Books + Certificate + a tanka bag

Second Prize: USD 50 + Certificate

Third Prize: Certificate

(Cash Prizes sponsored by Mandy's Pages)

Debbie Strange donates copies of the following books:

• Warp and Weft : Tanka Threads, Debbie Strange
• More Grows in a Crooked Row - Tanka Conversations of Angela Leuck with 15 Poets
• Bright Stars 1 Tanka Anthology, edited by M. Kei

Poet Pamela A. Babusci awards the first prize winner a copy of A Solitary Woman.

Blue Butterfly Bags sponsors a  tanka bag for the first prize winner. 

     Since I already have a copy of A Solitary Woman, Pamela A. Babusci gifted me this beautiful bracelet.

     I'm still eagerly waiting for my books from Debbie Strange, certificate from Mandy's Pages, and bag from Blue Butterfly Bags. :-)

Results of the Annual Tanka Contest 2016 at Mandy's Pages

     My first time as a judge for a contest was a little stressful and frightening, but I stepped up to the plate and made it a very enjoyable experience. I bravely picked the winners and try not to worry about who I would be disgruntling. Just as the saying goes, "You can't please everybody."
     Here are my top selections and my comments:

 

FIRST PRIZE:

 

each moment

here on earth is numbered . . .

so why not

fly too close to the moon,

and hang our hats on stars?

 

Debbie Strange

Winnipeg, Canada 

 

 

I chose this as the winner because I wanted to base my decision on originality, freshness, and  authenticity. The poet’s writing style is utterly captivating! The serious tone of the first two lines pivots in the phrase, “so why not.” The mood that follows is somewhat childlike, evoking a sense of adventure and imagination. Isn’t that how we should enjoy life? We should take risks, dream big, have fun! With the use of the s/l/s/l/l form, this tanka gives you a heartwarming ending with some dreaming space.

 

SECOND PRIZE:

 

the verdant hills

of his childhood

he scratches

his growing

bald spot

 

Billy Antonio

Laoac, Philippines

 

The poet’s perfect choice of metaphor proves that humor can be used effectively in tanka. The verdant hills implies lushness which is in contrast to his growing bald spot. To emphasize the decreasing loss of hair, words are placed in descending order. A hint of annoyance about the poet’s aging is implied with the word “scratch”, but using humor in this tanka shows us his/her acceptance of this human condition. I enjoyed the surprise ending. Brilliant tanka!

 

THIRD PRIZE:

 

after tea

I linger in the garden

this summer day

held tight by sunlight

and the scent of honeysuckle

 

Barbara Kaufmann

USA

 

This breathtaking tanka has a lasting effect on me because of the lovely choice of words. The “s” sounds in “summer,” “sunlight,” “scent of honeysuckle” has a soft, soothing effect. It makes me “linger” longer to feel the “sunlight” and smell the “scent of honeysuckle.” The use of the phrase “held tight” elevates the tanka. For a moment, I feel like I am entranced, absorbed in the present, and in one with nature. I also wonder what the poet is thinking as he/she lingers in the garden. A well-crafted tanka that naturally falls into the s/l/s/l/l structure.

    
     Congratulations to all the winners! To read the full post at Mandy's Pages, please click here.

 

First place, Annual Tanka Contest 2015

     Before I start updating this blog, let me share this advance birthday gift. :-)

 

     Thank you so much to Amanda D'Costa of Mandy's Pages and to the two distinguished judges, Claire Everett and David Terelinck.

 



Judging Report by Claire Everett and David Terelinck

 

Thank you to Amanda D’Costa for asking us to judge the 2015 Annual Tanka Contest for Mandy’s Pages. We are honoured to have been entrusted with this role of reading and selecting winners and short-listed entrants from a field of 108 tanka. 

 

When submitting tanka to competitions it is always important for entrants to have a solid grasp of what a tanka is. Just because a short poem has five lines does not automatically make it a tanka. This genre has a rich background that has defined what tanka is today. Unfortunately many of the submissions to this contest fell short of being tanka in a number of criteria. Equally, some strong tanka with vivid imagery might have been placed in this competition were it not for a misplaced word or poorly thought-out line breaks. 

 

As judges we were always looking for poetry within the poem. This means the cadence and rhythm of the writing, lyrical word usage, appropriate imagery, fresh metaphors and a new way of expressing emotion. A key criteria for these judges has always been show, don’t tell. We looked for tanka that started and finished strongly and did not trail away in the last lines. Too many tanka fell victim of cliché, or started beautifully, only to fall flat with an unimaginative image, emotion or observation as juxtaposition. Tanka that was topical, relevant and contemporary, yet showed respect to centuries of history that have preceded us, also rated highly in our deliberations. 

 

First place went to an outstanding tanka that was lyrical and suggestive. There was a true understanding of the poetic use of language to create an image and understated emotive layer No overt feeling is mentioned and it is left to the reader to define the effect of these words as they journey with this tanka.

 

1st place

 

his stand

on chemotherapy . . .

a bluebird’s cry

nestles in the palm

of sunrise 

 

The tanka employs usual metaphor and imagery in the last three lines. There is much room for interpretation as to whether this belief in cytotoxic therapy is supported or denied. Is this the bluebird of happiness and hope . . . or is this the blueness we associate with sadness and pending loss? The reader has plenty of space to ruminate on the possible interpretations of this tanka. Are we to think that the subject of the poem has changed his mind, or does the voice of the poem wish, or hope, that he will? Subtle allusions to the medical setting add strength to this tanka when one considers the alternative meaning of ‘stand’; the cry of the ‘bird in the hand’ is also reminiscent of the motto and calls to mind the medication that might be sustaining life, and hope. The image “nestling in the palm of sunrise” is striking and it is possible the poet meant that the outcome of this choice literally rests in the hands of god? 

 

     To read more, here's the link.

 

15th Annual Tanka Society of America Contest 2014 - Honorable Mention

     I was so thrilled when I received the good news from Janet Lynn Davis, TSA vice president and contest coordinator of TSA International Tanka. From among more than 500 entries, my tanka was selected to receive an honorable mention. I'm grateful to the judges - Michele L. Harvey and Susan Constable. This was really a big surprise!

only remembering
how he loved me...
in a clear brook
white clouds gather
in my hands

     Congratulations to all the winners and honorable mentions! Here's the link to the official announcement page: https://sites.google.com/site/tankasocietyofamerica/tsa-contest/winners-and-judges-comments/2014-tsa-international-tanka-contest-winners
     You can also read it on TSA's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TankaSocietyOfAmerica
     The complete writeup including judges' commentary will be published later in the year, in the Fall issue of Ribbons (the TSA journal) as well as on the TSA website.

Tanka Society of America News

     Here are some news and updates:
1) I'm thrilled to be a new member of TSA. Because of this, I'll be receiving a complimentary copy of the member's anthology in the fall of 2014. Mr. M. Kei just emailed me recently that two of my tanka will be included in the anthology. Yay!
    As soon as he emailed me, I sent him a short bio.
2) Entry for the annual TSA contest has been opened. I need to put on my thinking cap as I haven't come up with something yet to submit. Good thing, I still have a lot of time to write my poem and submit by the in-hand deadline of June 30, 2014. If you're interested, please see guidelines-

http://www.tankasocietyofamerica.org/tsa-contest/how-to-enter-the-tsa-international-tanka-contest

Diogen Autumn & Winter Contest 2013 for Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Haiga

     The results of the Diogen Winter Haiku Contest 2013 may be viewed here, except for the tanka category. I wasn't surprised not to grab a place in the haiku category because the haiku poems I submitted weren't really that good. I'm hoping that at least one of my gut-wrenching tanka poems would be a winner. 
     As I'm eagerly waiting for the complete results, I just remembered that I haven't posted the good news about me winning 2nd place for the tanka category in the Diogen Autumn Contest 2013. 
     Here is my certificate.

     I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'd be posting another certificate in the following days for the winter contest.
     By the way, as I was browsing the results of the autumn contest, I found out that another of my tanka poems was selected. 

     bush crickets . . .
     a husband reroutes 
     to another direction
     hoping he has heard
     the last of it

     This time it was published, with a translation, among other poems. I found my tanka on pages 13-14. Click here and keep scrolling down until you reach almost the bottom part to read a batch of poems with translations. You might find out that your poem has been published, too. 

Winter Dream Tanka- (Special Mention)

   What a marvelous birthday surprise! My very first tanka submitted for a contest has received a special mention at The Siloh Tanka Contest.
     Here's the tanka and some comments from Kirsten Cliff.

by the fireplace
the crackle of our laughter
melting into a dream
only the winter moon knows
how long is forever

     This reminds me so much of hubby and I these winter evenings sitting by the fire that I loved it from its first reading. “only the winter moon knows/ how long is forever” - extremely poignant, and excellent imagery. You have a great tanka future, Chrissi!

     I wasn't sure if I could submit a tanka worthy of any praise when I first heard of her contest. I've mostly written haiku, and I hardly remember what I've read when I browsed the website Tanka Online a long time ago. I'm glad I gave it a shot, anyway, because after being inspired by all the entries submitted before mine, I slowly remembered how much tanka tugs at my heart strings. It makes me take a peek of a poet's thoughts and feelings. It also allows me as a writer to be more open and vulnerable. There's something about it that keeps me more in touch with my emotions.
 

     I'm very pleased to receive this special mention. It's a great inspiration! I can't wait to read some more stunning tanka and create my own in the future.


    Thank you, Kirsten, for all the encouragement and support.