According to Wikipedia, Tanka (短歌, “short poem”) is a genre of classical Japanese poetry and one of the major genres of Japanese literature.

A Tanka consists of 5 lines and 31 syllables. Each line has a set number of syllables see below:

Line 1 – 5 syllables
Line 2 – 7 syllables
Line 3 – 5 syllables
Line 4 – 7 syllables
Line 5 – 7 syllables

This is my 82nd poem of 2017 and I am well on my way to putting together a collection of poems to reflect the struggles of disabled people in 21st century Britain. I would like to publish these poems in a book to be released in 2018, but I need an illustrator to help me add images to my words and create the type of book that I envisage. If you are a budding artist, or know of one, then please do get in touch.

I was planning on writing a Tanka each day, but I am not sure if I will achieve this. I am already two weeks behind schedule, which shows the pressures that disabled people face in modern society. I am also thinking that if I limit my Tanka’s to a couple a week then they might be of a higher standard. Anyway, here is my latest effort:

It’s make or break time

Our time to stand up, fight back

Make a difference

For children of the future

Before all hope is consumed