SUMMER FEATURED POET

Welcome to the 14th Wolf Twin Review!

Introducing: Nora . . . tanka poet, logophile, Japanese translator, artist, and nature lover.

Portrait by: Tré

Tanka I

You're so beautiful

Fallen shards of my old dream

Catch my longing gaze

With the sweet image of you

I watch myself disappear

Tanka II

Twilit petrichor

Crisp zephyrs hush lullabies

Of old bronze street lamps

Humming the ash trees to sleep

As rain lilies bow below

Tanka III 

The place you wished for

I left and you made it home,

Seeing you shine there,

Reminders of what I miss

Painfully make me love you

Tanka IIII

Decennary's spark

Bright bygones of beginning

Grapes of candy floss

Seaside notes of riptides

City of stars and sunshine

Featured Poet Interview:

1. How did your poetry journey begin?

It's hard to pinpoint exactly where my poetry journey began; however, my mom was a huge influence in more ways than one. I remember her reading me poetry that she had written for her blog when I was little. I loved the way that poetry conjured up such vivid images in my mind with fewer words than traditional writing. It was almost like a choreographer giving my mind directions on how to dance to a certain story, moment, or emotion. She also introduced me to many genres of music, both in English and Japanese, which deepened my love of poetic language through lyrics.

I wrote a handful of poems throughout my teenage years. They were all more freestyle, rather than sticking to a specific form like tanka or haiku, and expressed my feelings about various aspects of growing up and my admiration for the natural world.

More recently, I delved into tanka poetry after being introduced to, and translating, Kimihito Sasa's wonderful work for this blog!

2. What aspects of the tanka form appeal to you the most?

There are two aspects I particularly love about tanka. Although I also adore haiku, tanka has just the right length for me to illustrate an idea, emotion, or moment in time, while allowing for a little room to elaborate on or contrast the first three lines of the poem. The rhythm of the 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern is also particularly charming to me when read aloud, as well as visually on the page. 

Another main aspect of tanka poetry is referencing nature, especially the seasons. As both a nature-lover and someone whose emotions are deeply intertwined with seasonal changes, this strikes a deep chord with me. Plus, I feel that adding the beauty of nature into your poetry makes it all the more aesthetic and immersive.

3. You are also a logophile and a language student. Could you share a few of your favorite words?

This is a tough one. At this very moment I would have to say my favorites are: Petrichor, Perennial, and Ephemeral in English; and 癒し (iyashi - emotionally or physically healing/comforting), and 居場所 (ibasho - where you belong/feel at home) in Japanese.

4. Your work explores nature and the human condition from a present-day perspective. Do you enjoy exploring traditional writing forms and weaving them into modern themes?

I do. As a person living in modern society, and especially as a tanka poet, I want to bring themes of my personal lived experience into the poetry I write. That being said, I also have a deep interest in the traditional forms of poetry. Weaving my own ideas and experiences through these traditional frameworks is both an honor and a comfort for me. Writing true to the form makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger and everlasting. In a sense, art forms are community and culture, and it's a beautiful thing to contribute to. The guidelines that they provide also bring me much peace of mind. I tend to juggle many ideas at once, and consequently can struggle with deciding how to frame my writing. Going off of a traditional framework and finding inspiration from other poets of the same style has really helped me with this.

5. Soon you will be traveling to Japan for the first time. As a writer, what places are you the most excited to visit?

If I'm being honest . . . everywhere! I am just ecstatic to be immersed in a country I've never visited before. I have a feeling that all the sights, sounds, tastes, and culture I experience while I'm there will all be such an inspiration to my writing going forward. But if I had to narrow it down, I would say I'm most excited to visit the heart of Tokyo, especially during early morning and evening, and Kochi prefecture. Kochi is known for breathtaking natural scenery, rugged coastline, and clear views of the starry night sky. I love both nature and city life, and as a writer, the contrast between the two will be something I'd like to explore in my poetry.

6. Do you prefer to write out or type your poems?

I enjoy both methods. I find myself typing them out more recently, mostly for convenience reasons. However, when I first started writing in my teenage years, I exclusively handwrote my poems. It feels more personal to put pen to paper, so that would be my overall preference.

7. Name the top-three places in the world you'd like to visit while on a writing retreat.

In no particular order: Japan, Ireland, and Portugal.

8. Do you wait for inspiration to strike or do you schedule writing sessions?

I tend to wait until inspiration strikes. I'll go weeks in a poetic dry spell and then write twelve tanka in one night. I would like to be more structured with my writing in the future.

9. Lined notebook or plain?

Both for different reasons! I do like how neat my lines of writing look on lined paper. However, I sometimes enjoy accompanying a drawing with a poem, and in those circumstances I prefer plain. 

10. What advice would you give a beginner poet who has never written a poem before?

If you are just starting out, I would recommend reading different forms of poetry to find one that you enjoy. From there, explore different poets' writing within this form and take note on how they express their ideas and experiences. Try out these techniques yourself and just keep writing! Write about what is most meaningful to you and keep expanding your vocabulary to find the best words to express it.

11. We Do you have plans to write more Japanese-inspired tanka while visiting Japan?

I certainly do! I hope to learn more and improve my Japanese on this trip, and I'll definitely be pouring that newfound knowledge into my tanka in the future.  

12. If you were a tree, which would you be?

A Plum Blossom tree.

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To Nora:

Thank you so much for submitting your lovely poetry and being our Summer Featured Poet. We are delighted to join your poetic journey and say, "Welcome to the Wolf Pack!"

Dearest Readers:

Greetings, fellow poetry lovers. Thank you for your continued support of the literary arts! Subscribe and return to experience all our moonstruck poets. Owwwoooooo!

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