Tanka Tuesday Challange #3 - by Sapphra | Poetry
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Tanka Tuesday Challenge #3
Five lines. One image. Infinite longing.
Jun 23, 2026
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16
6
Did you know even a short poem can still pack a punch? A tanka does exactly that. In just five short lines and 31 syllables, you can say something meaningful. So if longer poems feel like too much, or if you’re sick of the same haiku style, try a tanka instead. It’s got a different feel and a fresh shape that actually works.
What Is a Tanka?
A tanka is a traditional five-line Japanese poem, originating in the 7th century and favored by court life by the 8th and 9th centuries. The name “tanka” comes from the Japanese words ‘tan’ (meaning “short”) and ‘ka’ (meaning “poem”). The tanka first began in the oral tradition before eventually evolving into a written form. By the Heian period, nobles and priests competed in poetry competitions.
The tanka has two parts. The first three lines describe a scene. The last two reveal emotion or metaphor, similar to a sonnet turn. Unlike haiku, tankas can include metaphors for deeper meaning.
This Challenge Is a Bit Different
It only happens once a week. Instead of sharing it like other poetry challenges, you will just drop your poem in the comments below. That keeps everything in a single creative thread, where everyone gets their moment.
How to Play
Use the prompt word exactly as given. No variations or synonyms.
Stick to true tanka form. Five lines with 31 syllables total in a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern.
Keep it human. We are celebrating real, genuine creativity here. No AI-generated poems.
Drop your poem in the comments below. That’s it. Share it here so everyone can see all the beautiful work in one place.
Prompt Words
Each week, I’ll provide a keyword prompt word or short phrase to get you started. You don’t have to come up with an idea from scratch. Just use that exact prompt word as given within your tanka and run with it however you want. Everyone starts with the same spark, so it’s fun to see how different each poem turns out. Plus, constraints can sometimes feel surprisingly freeing.
Keyword prompt: Sumptuous (3 syllables).
Meaning: It describes something that feels luxurious, impressive, and expensive-looking, especially engaging the senses of sight and touch.
Example : The bed was draped with sumptuous silk and adorned with soft pillows.
Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published
sumptuous, your eyes
dilate and swallow my name
lustrous on your tongue
purling inside your regard
you drink me down to silence
Show Your Support
Love what you’re seeing? Give the post a like, restack it, save it for later. Show some love! Want to bring more poets to the party? Restack this post and tag a friend or two—or mention them right here in the comments under your poem.
Spread the creative energy!
Past Challenges
Weekly Tanka Challenge: Entanglement
Jun 15
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Liked by Sapphra | Poetry
summer peaches glow—
sumptuous sweetness deepens
in the late June sun.
golden juice runs down my chin,
each bite a rare luxury.
Like (4)
Liked by Sapphra | Poetry
Ink stained fingertips,
who tucks handwritten notes in,
Heart left far behind,
into the very pocket
of your favorite blue jeans.
Like (3)