A soft purr that crescendos into a great growl, wresting us awake. The bed becomes too small, too hot, too soft, too hard for sleep. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short

Thousands of the one percent trapped on an island, screeching in front of the same ten bars, same ten restaurants, until we all die. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short

The clink of glass on itself tells me it's past time yet I walk away. Tomorrow is just as good for a sink full of dishes. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short song."

Faint steam rising from below the streets to drift into my path. I twist and pivot to escape, though you can do nothing to harm. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short song."

The garbage truck chirps with a sound too merry for this dark, early hour. The sun is disappearing minute by minute each day. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short song."

A spray of miniscule beads of water swirls all around through the air. There is no protection from this mist, we walk within it. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short song."

Behind the dumpster, a box of discarded books. Bent leaves and crackled covers rustle against each other. No one notices. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short song."

Crumpled sweater lies forgotten under the bed. Soon your day will come when hurried hands seek you out before the cold creeps closer. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short

Once feathery pale green, now broken into countless yellow buds, soon to wither and harden into striated, curved brown specks. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as short song. It is 31

Dark warmth envelops voices, wrapping them gently in mellow breezes. Soon enough they will grow shrill in the first breath of frost. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short

Yesterday too hot, this morning too cold. Cresting above the long drop into brisk air and hurried pace as we rush back indoors. Tanka is a form of Japanese poetry which translates as "short song."