Love between two as it should be
Written in the Tanka form
5-7-5-7-7
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You flow into me
Without changing the essence
Of whom I’ve become;
But I am more than I am
Because you merge into me
We are swift to know-
As we coalesce as one-
This strength of knowing;
The wonders of two lives fixed
Together without doubting
I will cherish you
Beyond what I seek for self,
Hope everlasting
In the arms of compassion
(Within a fragrant aether)
And as you mingle
Your soul and thinking with mine,
Our lives are heightened
By the blending of goodness
In our confluence of trust
Involved in concert;
A blending of life forces
Becomes our mandate
As we press together towards
What we will become in love
Your heart-strings are mine,
And I will not betray them
With anserine vox
Swashing a form of logic
Or the serpents beguiling
And in those moments
When two forces become one,
This love enfolded,
And the Christ who defines us,
Will be our flowing brushstrokes
Richard Lloyd Cederberg
1/09
O O
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The message shuns idealism for a strong spiritual view of love between a man and a woman. Using the Tanka form not only reinforces the poets message, but it also reminds the reader that anything worth pursuing requires discipline.
Dear friend Richard
Your conceptualization of this Japanese form flows effortlessly. The spiritual theme is universal – something that everyone (young or old) can relate to. This is beautifully written.
~Nadine~
The tanka form is intriguing to me. There is a real discipline in this, seems almost Zen-like when it is read aloud. Really well written and a strong message too. Richard thanks for the nice e-mail you sent Gretta and me. We can hardly believe that you’re so willing to communicate. Loving your novels. Thanks for everything.
Bill