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Winter Storm Tanka Contest

Posted on March 30, 2016March 30, 2016 by Richard

Ok, welcome to our first Winter Storm Tanka Contest. We have a short story contest every season, and I’m starting to feel a little bad that we don’t do a contest for poetry. It’s an oversight really. So this is our first poetry contest. If you notice we never do anything like a “normal” contest. We run a 50 word story contest, so we need a nice and short poetry contest.

Here are the rules. The poems have to be Tankas. That means they are 5 lines with syllable: 5,7,5,7,7. This is basically a Haiku with 2 more lines on the end. These can be one any subject. We are only calling it the Winter Storm Tanka Contest because it’s snowing like crazy right now. Rules and such:

Must be a Tanka

Any subject

Must be in the comments

Deadline April 15

Will will get free ad space on our site worth $1000.

Publication on Every Day Poetry and in Every Writer

Enter as many times as you like.

It feels like I’m forgetting something. I will say we’ve had a lot of interest in these. Other times no one wanted to jump in, so we are reserving to the right to pull this contest if few people decide to enter.

Leave your Tankas below, and good luck…

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Richard
Richard
Richard Everywriter (pen name) is the founder of EveryWriter and a 25-year veteran of the publishing industry. With degrees in Writing, Journalism, Technology, and Education, Richard has dedicated two decades to teaching writing and literature while championing emerging voices through EveryWriter's platform. His work focuses on making literary analysis accessible to readers at all levels while preserving the rich heritage of American literature. Connect with Richard on Twitter  Bluesky Facebook or explore opportunities to share your own work on ourSubmissions page. For monthly insights on writing and publishing, subscribe to our Newsletter.
Richard
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Category: Featured

44 thoughts on “Winter Storm Tanka Contest”

  1. Tim Rogers says:
    February 11, 2016 at 1:10 am

    Green grass through the snow,
    dirty, fading piles of cold
    left out for too long.
    The girls will soon wear less clothes
    and never return my gaze.

    Reply
  2. Renee Elton says:
    February 11, 2016 at 6:34 am

    Copper lantern sun-
    The end of winter sorrows-
    Wrist above ink stone-
    The abstraction of sudden
    Yellow- Falling ink on silk.

    Reply
  3. Renee Elton says:
    February 11, 2016 at 6:39 am

    The birds desolate
    calligraphy on the path,
    the layered pine and
    plum-I embrace fictional
    oblivion in your eyes.

    Reply
  4. Renee Elton says:
    February 11, 2016 at 6:49 am

    Little gold leaf clouds
    rolling down a hanging scroll,
    frame blue kingfishers
    chattering in sacred text.
    Winter cannot be written.

    Reply
  5. Renee Elton says:
    February 11, 2016 at 7:02 am

    Enter the noodle
    Shop here. Steam and broth and salt
    Rise to greet us, melt
    The snow from your eyelashes-
    The menu faxed in your eyes.

    Reply
  6. Laura Wrocklage says:
    February 11, 2016 at 12:13 pm

    Spider in the dust
    black and dead and all curled up
    how we all fear you
    nothing left but this tight ball
    never knowing us at all.

    Reply
  7. Laura Wrocklage says:
    February 11, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    This is where swamps sink
    deep with silken green algae
    Red winged Black birds rise
    splaying yellow crimson flags
    their caustic cries creation.

    Reply
  8. admin says:
    February 12, 2016 at 7:17 am

    Tankas make me happy for some reason….

    Reply
  9. Tim Rogers says:
    February 13, 2016 at 1:45 am

    Birds dance on the page
    their tiny feet leaving prints
    of old cuneiform.
    The administrator smiles
    and throws seeds for them to eat.

    Reply
  10. Eileen Sateriale says:
    February 13, 2016 at 7:01 am

    Language of Love

    Universal Love
    so powerful and mighty.
    Everyone knows that
    when Love speaks, the world listens
    to one, single dialect.

    Reply
  11. Eileen Sateriale says:
    February 13, 2016 at 7:05 am

    Northern Lights

    Pale green light in sky
    blushed by tints of pink and blue
    and rare violet hues
    spindly pine trees tickle heaven
    Aurora Borealis!

    Reply
  12. Eileen Sateriale says:
    February 13, 2016 at 7:06 am

    Denali

    Massive mountain peak
    Indians call Denali
    Moose graze, reindeer play
    Alaska’s untamed frontier
    breathtakingly beautiful

    Reply
  13. Tim Rogers says:
    February 14, 2016 at 3:25 am

    Chilling mountain wind
    disturbs the leafless branches
    of the forest verges.
    A man lies dead in his bed
    while his wife weeps silently.

    Reply
  14. Sindhu Verma says:
    February 14, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    DIVERSITY

    Hail diversity?
    The breadths and depths of the mind.
    Multifarious..
    One four-year old builds a plane.
    Other detonates a car.

    Reply
  15. Sindhu Verma says:
    February 14, 2016 at 1:37 pm

    GOODWILL

    Flirty few raindrops,
    Spat out by disdainful clouds,
    Split a few rainbows,
    But vanish in the caked earth,
    Too little to be of worth.

    Reply
  16. Sindhu Verma says:
    February 14, 2016 at 1:39 pm

    PRETENSE

    Green tea with deep breaths,
    Blur, blabber, music and pets,
    Charades to forget
    The bitter taste of failures,
    Glaring black hole of despair.

    Reply
  17. Tim Rogers says:
    February 15, 2016 at 3:14 am

    Blood spots on the tiles,
    swirling rivulets of red
    draining in the tub.
    My lips twist in a wry smile
    frozen forever anon.

    Reply
  18. Tim Rogers says:
    February 17, 2016 at 12:58 am

    Every day gray,
    a tired blanket hanging low,
    no snow to speak of.
    My morning toast burnt too dark,
    for dinner cold leftovers.

    Reply
  19. Tim Rogers says:
    February 17, 2016 at 11:49 pm

    Electronic screen
    backlit and glowing brightly
    in the dark of night.
    Illumination of mind
    at the expense of real life.

    Reply
  20. Tyquan Bradford-Daniels says:
    February 18, 2016 at 12:52 pm

    My little sister
    Is very lovely and smart
    But she is sometimes
    A terror for a two year
    old child, but I still love her

    Reply
  21. Tyquan Bradford-Daniels says:
    February 18, 2016 at 1:05 pm

    In my brand new car
    Riding on the road with the
    top down. It is awesome.
    Pressing on the gas pedal
    While listening to my tunes.

    Reply
  22. Tyquan Bradford-Daniels says:
    February 18, 2016 at 1:27 pm

    Sweating at the gym
    Working hard on my muscles
    and getting into
    shape. With my heart beating fast
    and my arms getting stronger.

    Reply
  23. Renee Elton says:
    February 19, 2016 at 7:09 am

    Tyquan never stop
    writing your life and story.
    Smile at your little
    sister, she will remember.
    YOU, audacious and golden.

    Reply
  24. Tim Rogers says:
    February 20, 2016 at 1:16 am

    Nuts squirreled away
    hidden under dry, brown leaves
    where roots curl and twist.
    A life enjoyed requires food
    remembered and digested.

    Reply
  25. Tyquan Bradford-Daniels says:
    February 21, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    Renee I just want
    To thank you for that poem
    That you just made up.
    It was creative and nice
    And it made me feel real good.

    Reply
  26. Tyquan Bradford-Daniels says:
    February 21, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    Showing up to the
    Pizzeria on the block.
    Taking a good slice
    Of pepperoni pizza.
    Feels good when it hits my tongue.

    Reply
  27. Tim Rogers says:
    February 21, 2016 at 11:55 pm

    Explosions abound
    the electronic barrage
    rains down on our heads.
    Time to seek quiet refuge
    in a café with absinthe.

    Reply
  28. Tim Rogers says:
    February 22, 2016 at 8:36 am

    A hack strikes a pose:
    fingers arrayed on keyboard
    sweating drops of blood.
    A zoo keeper throws raw meat
    to the big-maned killer king.

    Reply
  29. Tyquan Bradford-Daniels says:
    February 23, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    Roses all grown up
    In the middle of spring.
    Looking very nice
    As a man gives one to his
    girl while leaving the garden.

    Reply
  30. Tyquan Bradford-Daniels says:
    February 24, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    I just love my phone.
    It connects me to my friends
    And my family.
    And I could also play games
    In order to pass the time.

    Reply
  31. Tim Rogers says:
    February 24, 2016 at 11:10 pm

    Ring. Jump. Answer it.
    A device smarter than I
    demands attention.
    Silently the red fox sits
    its prey never hears a sound.

    Reply
  32. Tim Rogers says:
    March 2, 2016 at 12:33 pm

    Tire tracks in the mud,
    puddles form then freeze at night
    as winter commands.
    I’ll change the lawnmower’s oil
    seeing the first snowdrops bloom.

    Reply
  33. Tim Rogers says:
    March 14, 2016 at 6:00 am

    Bright, clear sky darkens.
    The sun hides behind the moon,
    just a ring of fire.
    A man remembers his past
    as his present keeps changing.

    Reply
  34. Tim Rogers says:
    March 19, 2016 at 10:42 am

    Tree shadow darkness
    slate blue sky after sunset
    house lights on hillside
    Electricity cooks food
    where once cut wood warmed the hearth

    Reply
  35. Tim Rogers says:
    March 22, 2016 at 12:43 pm

    Brown hare sits frozen
    in early morning meadow
    fearing what it hears.
    Positive pregnancy test
    left on the bathroom counter.

    Reply
  36. Meg Kensington says:
    March 22, 2016 at 1:52 pm

    You ask me to write
    candidly, as spring rises
    new growth bursting ground.
    It’s too soon to speak plainly.
    I love you. Words bide their time.

    Reply
  37. Cathy Deslippe says:
    March 24, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    What a personality
    Had her own individuality
    Great imagination
    Could use telecommunication
    Glad no irreversibility

    Reply
  38. Tim Rogers says:
    March 30, 2016 at 3:58 am

    Three buzzards circle
    wings spread wide catching the air
    screeching angrily.
    Love is such a funny thing
    floating in the atmosphere.

    Reply
  39. Tim Rogers says:
    April 5, 2016 at 8:12 am

    Vibrant green ramsons
    on the first warm day of spring
    drinks in the wet earth.
    I will not wait to be told
    how offensive I can be.

    Reply
  40. Every Writer says:
    April 19, 2016 at 6:15 am

    We should have the winner this Friday…sometimes these take time because we like to hear back from the winners first. We will contact all the winners. We will have a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place…..

    Reply
  41. Waiting says:
    April 27, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    Pitta pitta pit
    my fingers impatiently
    type htmls
    looking to see new content
    some kind of meat to savour

    Reply
  42. Tim Rogers says:
    August 20, 2016 at 11:24 am

    I wonder how the results of this contest ever panned out.

    Reply
  43. Noelle W. says:
    October 26, 2016 at 7:10 am

    The Evening turns dark
    As the winter snow falls down
    Drifts cover the ground
    Icy sheets slowly descend
    Silence is heard all around

    Reply
  44. Noelle W. says:
    October 26, 2016 at 8:33 am

    Death is powerful
    But any love always wins
    Death takes us over
    Love always triumphs because
    Love never stops after death

    Reply

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