The Art of Tanka: A Reflection in Verse

**Title: Whisper of Autumn**

Golden leaves cascade,  

Dancing with the twilight breeze,  

Nature’s quiet song.  

A fleeting moment captured,  

Time dissolves in amber hues.  

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Crafting this Tanka was an exercise in distilling the essence of a season into just 31 syllables. The process began with observation—imagining the vivid imagery of autumn and the emotions it evokes. Each line was carefully constructed to adhere to the traditional 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic structure, ensuring both rhythm and meaning.

The first three lines focus on painting a vivid scene, while the final two lines aim to evoke reflection and a sense of impermanence. Balancing imagery and emotion within such a concise format required thoughtful word choice, where every syllable served a purpose. The result is a poetic snapshot that invites readers to pause and immerse themselves in the beauty of a fleeting moment.

Happy Writing