Water Works: Four Tankas
Dream river dampens
my dry eyes, day and deep night.
I enter its flow:
an old womb throbs wistfully
with fishflies, catfish, and carp.
She cleanses sinners’ feet,
baptizes the despondent,
beckons the thirsty.
Lifts summer fowl, boat, nomad.
Lone egret descends at dawn.
Dream river deludes,
pledges constancy but fails.
I drown in its calm,
gasp for fresh understanding,
inhale stale questions.
I follow water
South to expansive wetlands
sandbars and tide pools.
Walk into the gulf
washing fish and overwrought humans.
3 thoughts on "Water Works: Four Tankas"
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Your poem resonates with me. Water is life. Life is dream. Dream river flows fresh with clear imagery speaking volumes. Thank you for this meditative piece. Just what I needed today. Grateful that you are participating in Lexpomo. Thank you
I forgot about tankas! Like how you used them to structure poem! My fave line: lone egret descends at dawn. I can hear its shadow! Hi Lenny from Kim (Spalding).
Double entendre on “works” Nice!