Tanka of J. Zimmerman
(first published in Eucalypt, moonset, Ribbons, etc.)
Prize-winning and honorable-mention Tanka
of J. Zimmerman
Tanka of J. Zimmerman first published in American Tanka
First published in American Tanka number 18, Spring 2009:
Tanka of J. Zimmerman
first published in Eucalypt
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For first publication in
Eucalypt, these poems followed
the "house style" of
Eucalypt
(which omits capitalization at the start of a poem or sentence and
omits any full stop at the end of a poem or sentence).
However, on this web page the author's preferred punctuation is used;
sometimes a poem's wording is 'improved' from the published version.
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First published in Eucalypt issue 4, 2008:
Storms this morning
keep me home recycling
inessential documents,
discarding yet again
all those people I once was.
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Wintry surf
tosses rocks, kelp, and salty grit ...
their racket
blanks out all chance to catch
your next wise advice.
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First published in Eucalypt issue 5, 2008:
First daybreak
of the silent retreat
I fracture its rules --
hum like fog in the shower
whistle like sunrise with the kettle.
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Talking to her friend
in bonfire light
she neglects for once
to cover her face
with a charming mask.
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First published in Eucalypt issue 6, 2009:
Tanka of J. Zimmerman
first published in Magnapoets
First published in the June 2008 issue of Magnapoets:
Darning
another of his sock toes
I keep getting pricked
even though
he's miles away.
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Tanka of J. Zimmerman
first published in moonset
First published in the Spring/Summer 2008 issue of moonset:
[Editor's Choice]
Slowly rising tide
the harbor seal lifts its tail
for every swell —
I too adjust my posture
with each of my friend's complaints.
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[Second Place in moonset Tanka Contest]
Lowering sky
a rapid rattle of hailstones
not such a bad day
to sit by the fire and read —
then burn — your love letters.
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Tanka of J. Zimmerman
first published in Ribbons
First published in the June 2008 issue of Ribbons:
My mouth
enfolds melting chocolate
this
is what Inca kings ate
is what they fed their gods.
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In the Tanka Café on the theme: Epiphany
Pickpocketted
she realizes it was when
she glanced away
to the ruckus across the street
and someone nudged her softly.
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First published in the September 2008 issue of Ribbons:
In the Tanka Café on the theme: Transience
Not transient enough --
today's aroma of skunk
explains those shrill yips
when last night's small-mammal war
raged beneath our home.
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First published in the December 2008 issue of Ribbons:
Their marriage
of crisis and battle
a calm surface at last
where snowdrops and daffodils
sprout on their graves.
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First published in the February 2009 issue of Ribbons:
In the Tanka Café on the theme: The Diamond Sutra
Back and forth he walks
between the Twin Tower pinnacles
linked by a suture
high in the Manhattan dawn
diamond-strong his steps sparkling.
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First published in the June 2009 issue of Ribbons:
Coming shortly.
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In the Tanka Café on the theme: Separation
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