Poetry Selections
Japanese Tanka by Charles Munger, Jr.
Tanka ("short poem") is one of the oldest (seventh century) and most popular forms of poetry in Japan. It has 31 syllables in a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern.
After the Fall
Earth shall now bear thorns;
To break bread you shall bear wounds.
Through pain and shed blood
Shall from love spring all new life.
For your sakes, this sacrifice.
Michael
First plant, Tree of Life:
I too grieve that Man is lost.
Yet some shall know us,
When as dust they choose to bear
Sword’s bite and refiner’s fire.