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Poetry & Free Verse
Challenge Ended
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Ended March 31, 2025 • 13 Entries • Created by Mariah
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Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for dctezcan
dctezcan in Poetry & Free Verse
60 reads

Window to the soul

a diamond, cold, hard,

her smile doesn't reach her eyes

except for the boy-

wild, rambunctious, curly-haired

sweetly naughty, full of life

for him, sunshine, warmth

endless fun, boundless joy, love,

unconditional

hope where once there was despair

dreams of a bright tomorrow

12
5
10
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for AnnFan14
AnnFan14 in Poetry & Free Verse
41 reads

Freedom Song

She came to me then,

brown skin under warm heaven.

"Not much longer now,"

She whispered. Eyes a deeper

brown. "Soon, we will be free. Yes."

We ran in moonlight.

There are only stars to see

us. Limbs pushing north.

Once there, we will never sleep

with whips cracking in nightmares

11
2
4
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for Feralbeetle
Feralbeetle in Poetry & Free Verse
33 reads

A song for the cold

Underneath cold sun

Grackles call, trill, together.

Hidden, here's human

Unbelonging to birdcalls

Stands alone, listening, chilled.

Splashing mallards hide

Under wings, unbothered by

Eyes, searching for yet

More music, metaphorical

Warmth no sun provides, birds do.

9
3
1
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for JosephLord
JosephLord in Poetry & Free Verse
34 reads

Those young leaves unfurl,

Shaking off the melting snows,

Lost in morning mists.

Though they may not see ahead,

They surge and, in sunlight, grow.

I am that white snow.

Shaken off, and left melting.

My wetted eyes watch.

And the young leaves do not see,

That there are two mists for me.

9
2
5
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for Tamaracian
Tamaracian in Poetry & Free Verse
22 reads

The Power from Within

Emotional scars

that remain hidden from view

and don’t fade away,

can serve as a reminder

of battles both won and lost.

Which is the reason

you should celebrate these wounds

unabashedly.

They prove beyond any doubt

that you can endure all things.

9
4
2
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for DuST72
DuST72 in Poetry & Free Verse
38 reads

Jack in the box

Once upon a time.

There was a time i once knew.

Now I don't know Jack.

I think that was his real name.

He lived his days in a box.

Cardboard,and judged.

Handle with care.Feeble soul.

Once it held a bed.

Thermal packing.His quilt box.

So conveniently swindled.

8
4
0
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
SarahF in Poetry & Free Verse
20 reads

Hung up

I dialled your number

It rang three times, no answer

Then the tone went dead

And I remembered you're gone

Free from me, from us

I hang up the phone

And my shredded heart with it

Reality collides

With hopeful, fading dreams, I

Should have known better

8
3
1
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for Sandlot
Sandlot in Poetry & Free Verse
24 reads

Do You Notice?

Seems impossible

to persuade you to see me

when I don’t, either,

and you exude confidence

and style that I sorely lack

But then your book dropped,

and while some fawned over you

I was there to retrieve it,

return the volume, and feel

the warmth of your gaze on mine

7
2
0
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for Winter_Heart
Winter_Heart in Poetry & Free Verse
17 reads

My Darling Love

My passion for you,

Insurmountable high tides,

You're my sun and moon,

My mornings and afternoons,

Can't spell lonesome without me

Your eyes like emeralds,

Touch so exhilarating,

Stronger than Iron,

Resilience I've never seen,

How am I worthy of you?

7
2
0
Challenge
Double Tanka Poetry Challenge
Using 10 lines and a syllable count of: 57577 & 57577, tell a story. Most creative/descriptive wins.
Profile avatar image for GerardDiLeo
GerardDiLeo in Poetry & Free Verse
16 reads

That’s Life...Until It Isn’t

Systolic pumping

Explodes each carefree moment

To distribute life

With a beat here and one there

To my parts everywhere

.

I am flush with life

One stroke at a time, in time

Until the final

Feeds my brain its farewell

And resignation as well

7
4
0