Tanka

(A tanka is a form of Japanese poetry. In English is written in five lines/stanzas, with the syllabic scheme 5-7-5-7-7, rhyme scheme not required. It is traditionally written to mark a moment of separation. For more information see http://www.americantanka.com/about.html)

The red impression
Of your lips on the final
Cups of tea we drank
Stays with me even after
The water has rinsed them off


Note: Outcome of a Poetry Workshop conducted by Meena Kandasamy

Endangered

The corporate jungle’s new telecom entrant
Has endorsed your right to life and habitat
Though they topple trees to build towers
And cough smoke to transport their products
A famous baritone laments your death
Your orphan cub’s image evokes dread
So we don the t-shirts and we blog
We ooh and aah over your golden form

We call 5-star press conferences for your cause
Shielded from the air-conditioning by shahtoosh shawls
School children vie to draw your features
Starlets tweet about your poor fate
1411, is all that remains
1411, you’re all the rage!
But when the poacher fires that shot
You will bleed, as you did always, alone

Note: Outcome of a Poetry Workshop conducted by Meena Kandasamy