TankaTuesday challenge #13 – Stay in joy

Here’s a dodoitsu for this week’s #TankaTuesday challenge.


A breath exhaled in wonder

Stars fly the darkened grasses

Bits of light to fill a jar

Child’s joy complete


A dodoitsu is a Japanese poem characterized as having a syllable structure of 7-7-7-5: 26 syllables. No rhyming. No title.

It also requires a”kigo” word. I had to look that up! I had no idea. I picked fire fly. I don’t know if you are actually supposed to use the word, so I may have done that part wrong. It wasn’t intentional. Catching fireflies in a jar is kind of a universal thing – at least in places where fireflies live.

When I was a kid, it was rare to see one. I lived in the woods and away from the city, so you’d think the place would be swarming. But, yeah, not so much.

I now live about ten miles from where I grew up and close to town. We will see dozens across our lawn on any given summer night. I’m not sure what changed, but I am happy for it. They always bring a smile to my face and make me think about being a kid, even though they weren’t a big part of it. Maybe that is what makes them so special to me now.


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9 responses to “TankaTuesday challenge #13 – Stay in joy”

  1. lisaapaul Avatar

    This is really beautiful

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Life is a dark ride Avatar

      Thank you! I really appreciate your kind words. I’ve been having a lot of fun with this challenge. I’ve never considered myself much of a poet, but I like these Japanese poem types because they are short. LOL! I had no idea there was more than the haiku!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. willowdot21 Avatar

    This is so beautiful , I have never seen a firefly 💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Life is a dark ride Avatar

      Thanks! And I hope you do some day. They are really cool. 🙂

      Like

      1. willowdot21 Avatar

        Fingers crossed 💜💜❤️

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Smitha V Avatar

    ‘Bits of light to fill a jar’- that would fill me with joy, too. Your poem is beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Life is a dark ride Avatar

      Thank you so much! 😊

      Like

  4. SelmaMartin Avatar

    Oh yes, please… that we may always see through the pure eyes of children. This is just so beatutiful. Thanks for writing to the prompt. Made me so happy, this. xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Life is a dark ride Avatar

      I appreciate your kind words. Thank you! 😊❤️

      Liked by 1 person

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