Four Easter Tankas

The Tanka is a Japanese poem of five lines. The first and third are composed of five syllables, and the others seven. In Japanese, tanka is often written in one straight line, but in English and other languages, we usually divide the lines into the five syllabic units: 5-7-5-7-7.

Poetic Bloomings Prompt: tanka poem

While I chose my pride

He chose three nails and a cross

A spear in his side

While rivers of holy blood

Poured in streams of redemption

***

While I stood with them

Scoffing to hide my just fear

He gave perfect love

As He bowed His thorn-crowned Head

Declaring, ‘it is finished’

 ***

While I stood condemned

Jesus signed my redemption

With His sacred blood

And now all who will believe

May have everlasting life…

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(I was going to stop here, but how can I? One more tanka of humble grateful praise)

Sing hallelujah

Lift your voice in joyful praise

Christ reigns forever

This King calls us His children

All we must do is believe

~Janet Martin~