According to Wikipedia, Tanka (短歌, “short poem”^?) is a genre of classical Japanese poetry and one of the major genres of Japanese literature.  Below you can read the fourth of my 2017 poems.

Thanks to Ted Eames for his continued advice and encouragement. Despite my lack of confidence I am enjoying my therapeutic daily visits to the poetic corners of my mind.

The injured soldier

Wounded by biology

Still fighting the pain

By looking on the bright side

While lifting me from darkness