time to plant a poet-tree
gently dig a loamy hole
water roots creatively
fertilize with wit and soul
nurtured by attentive love
sapling poet-tree will grow
spread out branches, shelter dove
harvest of ripe fruits bestow
The tanaga form is part of an oral tradition going back to the early 16th century (eg. Twinkle, twinkle little star). It comes in stanzas of four lines with seven syllables per line. It often rhymes, even rhyming each line of a stanza on the same rhyme sound, but it can have variable rhyme patterns. It can also have more than one stanza. Frank hosts tanaga prompt at dVerse Poets.
a poem in my pocket 
Apr 05, 2018 @ 07:43:19
The first line somehow brought to mind Ecclesiastes 3. And then it opened nicely into this creative journey, which could be about the poet’s own growth or a legacy sparked by her inspiration. I like this — an edifying message either way. And how true this applies … like trees, some of us grow faster, and some slower; some of us fruit-bearers, some refreshing evergreen; but everyone is beautiful in their own way.
Apr 05, 2018 @ 07:47:04
Collin, I really appreciate your thoughtful interpretation…thanks for honoring my poem with your comments!
Apr 11, 2018 @ 04:52:29
The honour is mine, my friend.
Apr 02, 2018 @ 16:19:10
This is clever, and the topic works well with the rhyme scheme. Very whimsical!
Apr 02, 2018 @ 20:59:48
Thanks…it was fun to write 🙂
Apr 02, 2018 @ 07:43:53
LOVE this! A poet tree 🙂 and all can be a part of it, just, as I used to say to my children, “use your words!” 🙂
Apr 02, 2018 @ 14:54:52
Thanks, Lillian…yes, use your words! 😀
Mar 31, 2018 @ 21:41:52
What a fun poem.
Apr 01, 2018 @ 07:06:34
😀
Mar 31, 2018 @ 16:43:56
I like the idea of growing a poet tree and your play on words. Nice one!
Mar 31, 2018 @ 17:20:44
Thanks, Mish!
Mar 31, 2018 @ 12:33:26
Nice tanaga about growing the poet-tree. And harvesting its fruits. I like how “wit and soul” fertilize it.
Mar 31, 2018 @ 17:20:03
Glad I could participate in this interesting prompt 🙂
Mar 31, 2018 @ 10:58:21
We are all trees after all, planted in fertile soil. Well put; though I’mnot sure what kind of crazy fruit I put out. Hmmm, time for introspection, lol.
Mar 31, 2018 @ 11:32:59
LOL…now you’ve got me re-thinking too 😀
Mar 31, 2018 @ 12:56:17
😁