Tag Archives: Tanka

July 17, 2026

wildfires to the north


wildfires to the north 

smoke shrouds the blue hills 
invisible borders gone
choked by her hot breath
as another forest dies
we’re reminded we are one

~kat

The air here is heavy, thick with smoke that has traveled a great distance from our neighbors in the north. It’s a reminder that the earth is home to us all.

She does not recognize borders. She does not charge entry fees or demand citizenship proof. The water that covers 71% of her surface is wild and free to us all. She does not tax our egress and we can dip our toes into the cool swirls that lap along the waters’ edge without fear. Her fields are rich and abundant, ripe with wildflowers, crops, and fruit. Those who would hoard her resources do not honor her bountiful generosity. None of her children should ever want. And yet so many do.

The air smelled of smoke today. Smoke from Canada. As I look at the hazy hills I mourn for Canada forests, and wildlife, and people displaced by fire. We are not so different. Today we shared air that no border can turn away.

Much love, peace, and glimmers to us all.

~kat

Today’s glimmer…new blooms on a butterfly bush gifted to me by dear friends. I’ve noticed the bees enjoying their sweetness. Bless the bees and all life on this planet that we share. ✨✨💚💚💚✨✨

3 Comments | tags: digital photography, Glimmers, nature, Poetry, Tanka | posted in 2026, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Life Lessons, nature, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Social Issues, Spirituality, Tanka

June 19, 2026

encounter with a stone sage

By Kat Myrman

I seem to be tripping over the oddest glimmers these days. This morning I happened upon this guy staring up at me from the mulch bed under in the hedges. I call him Mr Grumpy Face. He definitely looks like he’s been through it from the looks of that dent on his head. A far cry from my typical harvest of heart-shaped rocks. But he was on a mission I think.

Seeing him in all his grumpiness, made me smile. And then reminded me that I have not been my smiley self these days. Carrying the weight of the world will do that to you. At that moment it was like looking into a mirror. It reminded me that I have not taken time to unload and recharge as much as I should.

You might be thinking, you got all that from an odd little rock? I did indeed, you know, and I find that odd random things have plenty to say if we’re paying attention. I’m so glad I was looking down when I was…so glad this sage caught my eye. In my book that is the essence of a proper glimmer. Thank you Mr. Grumpy face!

~kat

Much love, peace, and odd glimmers to you! And don’t forget to smile. 😊

✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨

encounter with a stone-faced sage 

mister grumpy face
mirroring my crinkled brow
causing me to smile
I do remember smiling 
before the world got heavy

~kat
(a tanka: 5-7-5-7-7)

6 Comments | tags: digital photography, Glimmers, Poem a Day, Poetry, rocks, Tanka | posted in 2026, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Life Lessons, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Spirituality, Tanka

June 14, 2026

slave to a murder

By Kat Myrman

How could anyone expect to sleep in past 6 AM on a cool Sunday morning, with REM interrupted by this?! But I shouldn’t complain. I created this monstrous routine…🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛ I do love a good murder. 😉

slave to a murder 

‘twas not dawn’s first light
that roused me from deep slumber 
but loud cackling caws
from a dark murderous brood
their peanut alms depleted 

~kat

When one contributes to the food chain, the occasional predator is certain to show up. (Another reason I love my murder of crows…they keep these guys at bay around my bird garden, which is also frequented by squirrels and chipmunks! As much as I hate the idea that I might be providing a buffet for these apex raptors, (again, thank you to my crows for keeping them at bay) I do have to pause to admire the incredible beauty of these juvenile Cooper’s hawks. Did you know that a group of 3 or more hawks is called a “kettle”? We had a full kettle boiling over in our yard the day I captured these photos…at least 4 by my count. An odd glimmer perhaps, but I think they are magnificent in their own right. Part of the amazing cycle of life. (I just never leave Gabby dog to run free in the yard these days!) 😳

Much love, peace, and glimmers to you…stay safe. Always look both ways, up and down when crossing nature! 😄

~kat

✨✨✨💚💚💚✨✨✨

8 Comments | tags: Cooper’s Hawk, crows, digital photography, nature, Poem a Day, Poetry, Tanka | posted in 2026, Digital Art & Photos, Essays, Life Lessons, nature, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Tanka

April 9, 2026

Na/GloPoWriMo Day 9

By Kat Myrman

bad “hair” day

my stylist complains
the lawn next door is greener
I told him to stop 
with the buzz cuts already
so we can dance with the wind


~kat
(a tanka poem)

Na/GloPoWriMo 2026 Day 9 Prompt: Today, try writing your own poem in the voice of an animal or plant, or a poem that describes a specific animal or plant with references to historical events or scientific facts.

Pileated Woodpecker of Bramlett Mountain

This morning I happened upon the most wonderful glimmer. Just outside my window a magnificent pileated woodpecker was having a lovely time chipping away at an old downed tree. Of course I caught it on camera…not just a still photo…a little video clip! Enjoy!

Much love, peace, and glimmers to you!

~kat ✨✨✨💚✨✨✨

9 Comments | tags: Challenge, digital photography, Glimmers, Na/GloPoWriMo 2026, nature, Poetry, spring, Tanka | posted in 2025, Challenges and Writing Prompts, Digital Art & Photos, Life Lessons, napowrimo, nature, Poetry, Random Thoughts and Musings, Tanka, Videography

April 1, 2026

Na/GloPoWriMo Day 1

By Kat Myrman

corvid clemency 

forgiveness from crows
is an honor, when bestowed,
not to be tested,
the faces they remember
rouse ire fueled by vengeance 

~kat

Day One Na/GloPoWriMo 2026 Prompt: write your own tanka – or multi-tanka poem. Theme and tone are up to you, but try to maintain the five-line stanza and syllable count.

Tanka is a traditional Japanese poetic form consisting of 31 syllables arranged in five lines with a 5-7-5-7-7 structure. Originating over 1,300 years ago, it is a deeply emotional, often melancholic form centered on love, nature, and personal reflection. It often features a pivotal “turn” (kami-no-ku to shimo-no-ku) between the first three lines and the last two, offering a “long haiku” with more depth.

A note about today’s poem:

The crow featured above is special because it is actually against a crow’s nature to forgive. a year ago one of their comrades died at my crow feeder. It was clear after this unfortunate event that my murder of crows thought I had something to do with its demise. As a result, they avoided me like the plague. Of course I was heartbroken. I kept putting out peanuts for them which they staunchly ignored. (The squirrels and blue joys loved having those treats all to themselves!) And then one day one of them got brave, I assume, and helped himself to a peanut. I was persistent and it seemed to pay off. Before long a half dozen, more than my original murder of three granted me clemency. They visit me everyday now. I am honored to have regained their trust, and believe me I don’t take likely the trust they’ve placed on me. It’s a true blessing. So of course the fellow above while paired with my cautionary tanka, is also my glimmer for today.

Much love, peace, and glimmers to you!

~kat ✨✨✨💚✨✨✨