One Man's Maple Moon: Womb Tanka by Kala Ramesh

English Original

a sudden spurt

of warm feeling ...

              my blood 

        from a womb 

I knew nothing about

the unseen arc, 2017  

Kala Ramesh 

Chinese Translation (Traditional) 

一股突如其來的暖流

湧上心頭 ...

我的血液

來自我一無所知

的子宮

Chinese Translation (Simplified) 

一股突如其来的暖流

涌上心头 ...

我的血液

来自我一无所知

的子宫

Bio Sketch

Kala Ramesh is the Founder and Director of Triveni Haikai India, the Founder and Managing Editor of haikuKATHA Journal, an anthologist, and an external faculty member of Symbiosis International University Pune, where she taught a 60-hour haikai course from 2012 to 2021 — a first in India. She has organised eight major haiku festivals and to bring haiku into everyday spaces, Kala has initiated several successful projects in India.

One Man's Maple Moon: Cold Light Tanka by Sonam Chhoki

English Original

throbbing headache

blinds drawn against the dawn

I picture

in the rise and fall of notes

birds flitting in the cold light

A Hundred Gourds, 1:4,  September 2012 

Sonam Chhoki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

劇烈的頭痛

並把窗簾緊閉以阻擋黎明

我彷彿看到

在聲調的起伏中

鳥兒飛掠冷光

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

剧烈的头痛

并把窗帘紧闭以阻挡黎明

我仿佛看到

在声调的起伏中

鸟儿飞掠冷光

Bio Sketch

Sonam Chhoki finds the Japanese short form poetry resonates with her Tibetan Buddhist upbringing.  She is inspired by her father, Sonam Gyamtsho, the architect of Bhutan's non-monastic modern education and by her mother, Chhoden Jangmu, who taught her: “Being a girl doesn’t mean you can’t do anything.” She is the principal editor, and co-editor of haibun for the United Haiku and Tanka Society journal, cattails.

One Man's Maple Moon: Golden Ripples Tanka by Brian Zimmer

English Original

casting his line

into the golden ripples

of the setting sun

he catches nothing today

but a basket full of peace

Gusts, 19, Spring/Summer 2014

Brian Zimmer

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

將魚線拋入

一波波金色漣漪

的夕陽中

他今天一無所獲

卻滿載著寧靜

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

将鱼线抛入

一波波金色涟漪

的夕阳中

他今天一无所获

却满载着宁静

Bio Sketch

Brian Zimmer was an American poet who wrote from the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. Published across a variety of international print and online journals, his work was heavily inspired by classical Japanese forms, particularly the poetic-diary (utanikki) and the free-form poetic essay (zuihitsu).

One Man's Maple Moon: Old Lullaby Tanka by Daniela Misso

English Original

a whole day

listening to the wind

among green leaves ...

at night, an old lullaby

emerges in me

Cattails, October 2021

Daniela Misso

Chinese Translation (Traditional) 

一整天

聆聽綠葉間

的風聲 ...

夜裡, 一首古老的搖籃曲

在我心中浮現

Chinese Translation (Simplified) 

一整天

聆听绿叶间

的风声 ...

夜里, 一首古老的摇篮曲

在我心中浮现

Bio Sketch

Daniela Misso is a retired schoolteacher and  a winner of numerous national and international competitions. She has published extensively in leading magazines dedicated to the genre. She is the author of Connessioni Sottili (FusibiliaLibri, 2021) and Ciliegi in fiore (Edizioni Accademia Barbanera, 2023).

One Man's Maple Moon: Sorrow Tanka by Michael McClintock

English Original

knowing sorrow

won’t go sailing

or for a swim

I take a long walk

to the cliffs and back

      

First Place, 2012 San Francisco International Haiku, Senryu, and Tanka Contest

Michael McClintock

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

深知悲傷

不會出海航行

也不會去游泳

我選擇長途步行

走到懸崖邊再走回來

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

深知悲伤

不会出海航行

也不会去游泳

我选择长途步行

走到悬崖边再走回来

Bio Sketch

Michael McClintock's lifework in haiku, tanka, and related literature spanned over four decades. His many contributions to the field included six years as president of the Tanka Society of America (2004-2010) and contributing editor, essayist, and poet for dozens of journals, anthologies, landmark collections and critical studies. McClintock lived in Clovis, California, where he worked as an independent scholar, consultant for public libraries, and poet. Meals at Midnight [tanka], Sketches from the San Joaquin [haiku] and Streetlights: Poetry of Urban Life in Modern English Tanka, were some of his recent titles.

One Man's Maple Moon: Mother's Womb Tanka by Pamela A. Babusci

English Original

floating inside

my mother's womb

for nine months —

how little she

understood me

Honorable Mention, Sanford Goldstein International Tanka Contest, 2026

Pamela A. Babusci

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

漂浮

在我母親的子宮裡

九個月之久—

她對我是多麼地

不了解啊

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

漂浮

在我母亲的子宫里

九个月之久—

她对我是多么地

不了解啊

 

Bio Sketch

Pamela A. Babusci  is an internationally award winning haiku, tanka poet and haiga artist. Some of her awards include: Museum of Haiku Literature Award, International Tanka Splendor Awards, First Place Yellow Moon Competition (Aust) tanka category,  First Place Kokako Tanka Competition,(NZ) First Place Saigyo Tanka Awards (US), Basho Festival Haiku Contests (Japan).  Pamela has illustrated several books, including: Full Moon Tide: The Best of Tanka Splendor Awards, Taboo Haiku, Chasing the Sun, Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka, and A Thousand Reasons 2009. Pamela was the founder and now is the solo Editor of Moonbathing: a journal of women’s tanka; the first all women’s tanka journal in the US.

One Man's Maple Moon: Warbled Songs Tanka by Thelma Mariano

English Original

from the river's edge

a blend of warbled songs

highs and lows

the harmony we share

despite different notes

Thelma Mariano

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

來自河邊

婉轉的歌聲交織融合

有高亢與低沉

儘管音符不同

我們卻共享和諧

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

来自河边

婉转的歌声交织融合

有高亢与低沉

尽管音符不同

我们却共享和谐

Bio Sketch

Thelma Mariano is the author of Night Sky: a Selection of Tanka Poetry. She lives in Montreal and has published her tanka in literary journals as well as in various anthologies including Fire Pearls and Take Five: Best Contemporary Tanka.

One Man's Maple Moon: Eerie Summer Tanka by Fumi Saito

English Original

a bullet was fired

in the center of his forehead

yet his face

still moving as it haunts

this eerie summer!

White Letter Poems, 1998

Fumi Saito

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一顆子彈射入

他的額頭正中央

然而他的臉

卻依然在動, 它一直縈繞

這個詭異的夏天!

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一颗子弹射入

他的额头正中央

然而他的脸

却依然在动, 它一直萦绕

这个诡异的夏天!

 

 

Bio Sketch

Daughter of a military officer who was noted for his verse-writing talent, Fumi Saito began writing poetry in the traditional 31-syllable tanka form in her early teens. Her first book of tanka, Fish Songs, published in 1940, immediately established her as a brilliant young poet. She was inducted into the Japan Art Academy in 1993 and invited to serve as meshiudo (a position similar to the Poet Laureate's) at the Imperial Palace in 1997.

One Man's Maple Moon: Skeleton Keys Tanka by Joanna Ashwell

English Original

skeleton keys

in a mirror glinting

at a doorway —

the transparency of rain

reconfigures our view

Joanna Ashwell

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

萬能鑰匙

在門口側邊鏡子中

閃閃發光 —

雨水的通透性

重塑我們的視野

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

万能钥匙

在门口侧边镜子中

闪闪发光 —

雨水的通透性

重塑我们的视野

 

Bio Sketch

Joanna Ashwell a short form poetry writer from the UK.  Published widely in many print and online journals.  She has been shortlisted for the Touchstone Award, has won awards and has served on the selection team for the Canadian tanka journal GUSTS.  Some of her poetry collections are available on Amazon.  River Lanterns, won the honorary Cherita award.  Moonset Song, Love’s Scriptures and Every Star (Tanka), Book Patronus (haiku & tanka) are also available on Amazon. 

One Man's Maple Moon: Geraniums Tanka by Marion Alice Poirier

English Original

on the porch

Dad's geraniums in clay pots

blushing red --

no green trees for our view

just the Mystic River bridge

Marion Alice Poirier

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

在門廊上

爸爸種在陶盆裡的天竺葵

花瓣泛紅 --

從我們的視線範圍看不到綠樹

只有神秘河大橋

    

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

在门廊上

爸爸种在陶盆里的天竺葵

花瓣泛红 --

从我们的视线范围看不到绿树

只有神秘河大桥

Bio Sketch

Marion Alice Poirier is a lifetime resident of Boston, MA. She began writing haiku in 2001 and eventually began to teach haiku in workshops on Poetry Circle and Emerging Poets. She also write short poetry and have been published in on-line haiku and short poetry journals like Tinywords, Hedgerow and The Heron's Nest.

One Man's Maple Moon: Two Lovers Tanka by M. Kei

English Original

an afternoon

as ordinary

as seagulls

but two lovers

pose forever 

M. Kei

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一個午後

如同海鷗般

平凡

但兩位戀人

卻擺出永恒的姿態

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一个午后

如同海鸥般

平凡

但两位恋人

却摆出永恒的姿态

Bio Sketch

M. Kei is a tall ship sailor and award-winning poet who lives on Maryland’s Eastern shore. He is the editor of Atlas Poetica: A Journal of World Tanka. His most recent collection of poetry is January, A Tanka Diary. He is also the author of the award-winning gay Age of Sail adventure novels, Pirates of the Narrow Seas. He can be followed on Twitter @kujakupoet, or visit AtlasPoetica.org.

One Man's Maple Moon: Firelight Tanka by Keitha Keyes

English Original

in welcome

he smears red ochre

on my forehead —

black and white faces

glisten in the firelight

red lights, 17:2

Keitha Keyes 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

以示歡迎

他將紅色赭石塗抹

在我的額頭上—

黑白相間的臉龐

在火光中閃爍

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

以示欢迎

他将红色赭石涂抹

在我的额头上—

黑白相间的脸庞

在火光中闪烁

Bio Sketch

Keitha Keyes lives in Sydney, surrounded by antique irons and ship models. She enjoys writing  tanka, haiku, senryu, cherita and related genres. Her work is published in many journals and anthologies in Australia and overseas.

One Man's Maple Moon: Click Tanka by Susan Constable

English Original

... and then

the click of a garden gate

on a moonless night

the sound of his footsteps

sneaking into my dream

The Eternity of Waves, 2017

Susan Constable

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

... 然後

花園大門咔噠一聲

在沒有月光的夜晚

他的腳步聲

悄悄地潛入我的夢境

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

... 然后

花园大门咔哒一声

在没有月光的夜晚

他的脚步声

悄悄地潜入我的梦境

Bio Sketch

Susan Constable (1943–2026) was an award-winning Canadian poet whose haiku and tanka appeared widely in global journals. She authored the acclaimed collection The Eternity of Waves and served as tanka editor for A Hundred Gourds (2012–2016). Constable also co-edited multiple anthologies and judged numerous international short-form poetry contests.

One Man's Maple Moon: Fruit Tanka by Kala Ramesh

English Original

mother laments

being old and bent

I see her

as a curved branch

laden with fruit  

the unseen arc, 2017  

Kala Ramesh 

Chinese Translation (Traditional) 

母親感嘆

年老體衰

我瞅見她

如同一條彎曲的枝條

掛滿果實

Chinese Translation (Simplified) 

母亲感叹

年老体衰

我瞅见她

如同一条弯曲的枝条

挂满果实

Bio Sketch

Kala Ramesh is the Founder and Director of Triveni Haikai India, the Founder and Managing Editor of haikuKATHA Journal, an anthologist, and an external faculty member of Symbiosis International University Pune, where she taught a 60-hour haikai course from 2012 to 2021 — a first in India. She has organised eight major haiku festivals and to bring haiku into everyday spaces, Kala has initiated several successful projects in India.

One Man's Maple Moon: Cosmetics Tanka by Margaret Chula

English Original

those half-used tubes

of her cosmetics

why did I keep them?

rubbing in face cream

I feel my mother’s bones

Winter Deepens, 2018

Margaret Chula 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

那些用過一半的

她的化妝品

為什麼還要留著它們？

當塗抹乳霜時

我感覺到母親的骨頭

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

那些用过一半的

她的化妆品

为什么还要留着它们？

当涂抹乳霜时

我感觉到母亲的骨头

Bio Sketch

 

Margaret Chula has published two collections of tanka: Always Filling, Always Full and Just This. She has promoted tanka through her one-woman dramatization, “Three Women Who Loved Love”, which traveled to Krakow, New York, Boston, Portland, Ottawa, and Ogaki, Japan. And from 2011 to 2015, Maggie served as president of the Tanka Society of America.

One Man's Maple Moon: Flicker Tanka by Christine L.Villa

English Original

every now and then

the flicker of a firefly ...

still in my hand

all of you I need

to let go

The Bluebird’s Cry, 2016

Christine L. Villa

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

不時地

螢火蟲閃爍的光芒 ...

依然在我手中

你的所有一切

我需要現在放手

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

不时地

萤火虫闪烁的光芒 ...

依然在我手中

你的所有一切

我需要现在放手

Bio Sketch

An animated story teller and an artist by nature, Christine L. Villa dabbles in children's writing, Japanese short-form poetry, and photography. She is the founder and editor of Frameless Sky -- a video journal showcasing poets, artists, and musicians in collaborative projects. She blogs her haiku, tanka, and haiga at Blossom Rain.

One Man's Maple Moon: Van Gogh Tanka by André Surridge

English Original

they made

Van Gogh want to dream

these stars ...

he’s there now amongst them

his smile thick with paint

Commended, 2009 Kokako International Tanka Competition

André Surridge

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

他們讓

梵谷想要夢想

這些星星 ...

他現在就在它們之中

他

的笑容濃重得像是塗了厚厚的顏料

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

他们让

梵谷想要梦想

这些星星 ...

他现在就在它们之中

他的笑容浓重得像是涂了厚厚的颜料

Bio Sketch

André Surridge was an award-winning playwright and poet who immigrated to New Zealand from Yorkshire, England in 1972. He was President of the Playwrights Association of New Zealand from 1998-2000. Widely published, some of his awards included: 1995 Minolta Playwriting Award,  2007 Elizabeth Searle Lamb Award, 2008 Tanka Splendor Award, and 2010 Jane Reichhold International prize. And his first collection of haiku and senryu, one hundred petals, was critically acclaimed in 2019.

One Man's Maple Moon: Picture Scroll Tanka by Aya Yuhki

English Original

rewinding

a picture scroll of memory –

could I relive

those happy days

with my dog

White Flowers in the Sky, 2005

Aya Yuhki 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

倒帶

一段記憶的影像捲軸 —

我能否重溫

那些快樂的日子

陪伴我的狗

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

倒带

一段记忆的影像卷轴 —

我能否重温

那些快乐的日子

陪伴我的狗

Bio Sketch

Aya Yuhki was born and now lives in Tokyo. She started writing tanka more than thirty years ago and has expanded her interests to include free verse poetry, essay writing, and literary criticism. Aya Yuhki is Editor-in-Chief of The Tanka Journal published by the Japan Poets’ Society. Her works are featured on the homepage of the Japan Pen Club’s Electronic Library.

One Man’s Maple Moon: This Life Tanka by Peggy Heinrich

English Original

strange, this life

no parents no mate no boss

to struggle against,

at night I fall asleep

to a chorus of frogs

Simply Haiku, 9:1, Spring, 2011

Peggy Heinrich

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

奇怪, 這樣的生活

沒有父母伴侶老闆

需要與之抗爭, 

夜晚, 蛙鳴

伴我入眠

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

奇怪, 这样的生活

没有父母伴侣老板

需要与之抗争,

夜晚, 蛙鸣

伴我入眠

Bio Sketch

Peggy Heinrich's haiku have appeared in almost every haiku journal both nationally and internationally and in many anthologies. Awards include Top Prize in the Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum English Haiku Contest in both 2009 and 2010. Peeling an Orange, a collection of her haiku with photographs by John Bolivar, was published in 2009 by Modern English Tanka Press. Forward Moving Shadows, a collection of her tanka, with photographs by John Bolivar, was published in 2012.

One Man's Maple Moon: White Lilies Tanka by Kozue Uzawa

English Original

something

inside me is weeping

white lilies keep

dropping yellow pollen

on the night table

Co-Winner, Tanka Splendor 2006

Kozue Uzawa

 

Chinese Translation (Traditional)

一陣低聲哭泣

來自我的內心深處

在床頭櫃上

白色百合花不停地

掉落黃色花粉

Chinese Translation (Simplified)

一阵低声哭泣

来自我的内心深处

在床头柜上

白色百合花不停地

掉落黄色花粉

 

 

Bio Sketch

Kozue Uzawa is a retired university professor. She works as editor of the English tanka journal GUSTS. She composes tanka both in Japanese and English. She also translates Japanese tanka into English and co-published Ferris Wheel: 101 Modern and Contemporary Tanka (Boston: Cheng & Tsui, 2006), and Kaleidoscope: Selected Tanka of Shuji Terayama (Tokyo: Hokuseido Press, 2008). Ferris Wheel received the 2007 Donald Keene Translation Award for Japanese Literature from Columbia University.