“Across the Hokianga” (Tanka) by Tyler Chadwick

(February–March 2000)

crimson-honey sky
across the Hokianga
crimson-honey tide
but no waka to pierce
the bay’s narrow hips

*

crimson-honey sand
across the Hokianga
crimson-honey sky
but only one cumulus
to lick the bay’s narrow tongue

*

crimson-honey night
across the Hokianga
but no moon
to walk empty shores
sip crimson-honey tea

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For Tyler’s bio and other Spring Poetry Runoff contributions, click here and here.

*Non-contest submission*