Timeless Poetry Collection

Tanka Notes

What the Poems Taught Me

I gained knowledge about myself and the world by writing these poems. This exploration was driven by needs that I knew about and those that I discovered. Each poem is an exploration of a discovery, memory, observation or question. I hope that you find something useful in these words, images, and thoughts. The power, for me, in these poems comes from their honesty. The goal is the discovery of the True Self.

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Tanka Notes – 3D Book
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The Collection

About the Book

Tanka Notes is a carefully curated collection of Tanka poems - a classical form of Japanese poetry consisting of five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 syllable structure. Each poem captures, I hope, a moment of insight, emotional depth, and observation of the world around us.

I found the Tanka form to be very powerful. With few words to work with you are forced to be more direct. The shorter form also forces you to be more honest, open and in the moment. In a Tanka poem there is no place for me to hide. These Tanka poems also leave more room for the reader’s thoughts.In one poem I say the words are mine, but the images are yours. As the subtitle says, this collection represents what the poems taught me. I hope you find the poems useful, but in the end, it is about me being honest and open with myself and you.

Classical Japanese 5-7-5-7-7 form
Themes of nature, love & wisdom
Accessible to all poetry readers
A Glimpse Inside

This Week's Poem

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5 7 5 7 7
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The Mind Behind It

Meet the Author

Craig DeTample

Craig DeTample

Amateur Astronomer · Geologist · Paleontologist · Poet

Craig has worn many hats over a lifetime: amateur astronomer, oil field geologist, paleontologist, museum educator, museum director, school-reform consultant, and self-taught paralegal for a state computer agency. Now retired, he brings all of it to the page.

His poems reflect on being a son, husband, father, uncle, friend - and on the lessons woven through a working life spent across wildly different worlds. Life experience is his muse, and his verses tell you more about him than any short biography can.

Craig lives a deliberately low-tech life and can be reached through tankanotes.com. Please do not send emails with attachments or links to this site.

Having worked in academia, Craig believes it is important to acknowledge sources - he has endeavoured to credit every concept, idea, and quote in this collection, and sincerely apologises for any he may have missed.

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