tanka (empty bell tower)
For whom the bell tolls?78 total reviews
Comment from Dean Kuch
"Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee..."
These famous words by John Donne were not originally written as a poem - the passage is taken from the 1624 Meditation 17, from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, and is prose.
Your tanka is beautifully done, Andre, and very well written.
Now...either I'm completely off my rocker, or I hear the bells tolling for me.
I guess that means it's time for me to go...
~Dean
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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"Ask not for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee..."
These famous words by John Donne were not originally written as a poem - the passage is taken from the 1624 Meditation 17, from Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, and is prose.
Your tanka is beautifully done, Andre, and very well written.
Now...either I'm completely off my rocker, or I hear the bells tolling for me.
I guess that means it's time for me to go...
~Dean
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Yeah, Dean, those bells may be tolling for thee. Thank you for your review of my "beautifully done" tanka and for information on the origin of the phrase "for whom the bell tolls." I look forward to our class tomorrow. Thanks again for showing me how to attach sound effects to my post.
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Don't mention it, Andre.
The pleasure's all mine, my friend.
Comment from Barb Hensongispsaca
If this is your first, it is very well done with what I know of tanka. I just found out the middle line is supposed to support and encourage the first and last to unite and I believe yours did
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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If this is your first, it is very well done with what I know of tanka. I just found out the middle line is supposed to support and encourage the first and last to unite and I believe yours did
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Thank you, Barb, for your review of my first tanka which took me a month to write after tinkling wind chimes on a tree stopped me in my tracks. Thanks again.
Comment from pome lover
okay, I'm going to go out on a limb and see if I understand this properly -
The bell tower is either just silent or has no bell, so doesn't draw one to meditation, but the wind chimes in the tree do.??
OR
It's the peacefullness of both that draw you to meditation.
Either way it is thoughtful and thought provoking.
pome lover
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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okay, I'm going to go out on a limb and see if I understand this properly -
The bell tower is either just silent or has no bell, so doesn't draw one to meditation, but the wind chimes in the tree do.??
OR
It's the peacefullness of both that draw you to meditation.
Either way it is thoughtful and thought provoking.
pome lover
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Thank you, pome lover, for your review. Your second interpretation is correct: The bell tower is silent and has no bell, so doesn't draw one to meditation, but the wind chimes in the tree do. But you are also right that the peacefulness of church draws me to meditation, too, because I was on my way there when I heard the tree's wind chimes. Thank you for seeing my poem both ways.
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my pleasure
Comment from BeasPeas
Your first tanka is beautifully composed, descriptive, tranquil and quiet. Introducing the birds roosting in peace in the empty bell tower creates such a visual for the reader as does tinkling wind chimes calling to meditation. Nicely done. Marilyn
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Your first tanka is beautifully composed, descriptive, tranquil and quiet. Introducing the birds roosting in peace in the empty bell tower creates such a visual for the reader as does tinkling wind chimes calling to meditation. Nicely done. Marilyn
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Thank you, Marilyn, for your review. I am quite pleased with my first tank. You wouldn't believe how many drafts I went through. Thanks again.
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Hi Sis Cat. I think that is how it goes when we try something new. Good job. Marilyn
Comment from Bill O'Bier
There are so many problems in the world, and if we dwell on these, we're going to be miserable. I think meditation helps me transcend and get beyond the grip of most negativity and generate a more positive attitude from within. Thanks for sharing a wonderful tanka poem and artwork.
All the best...
Bill~
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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There are so many problems in the world, and if we dwell on these, we're going to be miserable. I think meditation helps me transcend and get beyond the grip of most negativity and generate a more positive attitude from within. Thanks for sharing a wonderful tanka poem and artwork.
All the best...
Bill~
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Thank you, Bill, for your review of my "wonderful tanka." You are right: "meditation helps us transcend and get beyond the grip of most negativity and generate a more positive attitude from within." Thanks again.
Comment from nomi338
I personally think that the sound of wind chimes make some of the most pleasing sounds around. They, to me , are peaceful and soothing and they put me in a mood that I like being put in.
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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I personally think that the sound of wind chimes make some of the most pleasing sounds around. They, to me , are peaceful and soothing and they put me in a mood that I like being put in.
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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yes, nomi338, I love the sound of wind chimes. When I heard them tinkling on a bare tree in winter, I stopped to listen and record it on my phone. I contemplated the chimes' sound for a month as I wrote my first tanka. Thank you for your review.
Comment from Benny Beeharry
Hi friend, this a very beautiful writing.i could imagine the empty bell tower, and therefore no sound and pigeons sleeping., while you feel the need to sit quiet. A great write ,full of peace.
Well done.
Danny Jock
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Hi friend, this a very beautiful writing.i could imagine the empty bell tower, and therefore no sound and pigeons sleeping., while you feel the need to sit quiet. A great write ,full of peace.
Well done.
Danny Jock
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Thank you, Danny Jock, for your review of my "great write, full of peace."
Comment from Mustang Patty
It is always a wonder when you see a church tower without bells, isn't it? Your words went well with the sound of the chimes dinging in the background. The rhythm of the poem was pleasant and you stayed true to the tanka format. Thank you for sharing this well penned poem,
~patty~
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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It is always a wonder when you see a church tower without bells, isn't it? Your words went well with the sound of the chimes dinging in the background. The rhythm of the poem was pleasant and you stayed true to the tanka format. Thank you for sharing this well penned poem,
~patty~
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Thank you, patty, for your review of my "well penned poem." Many of the old churches in the San Francisco area have removed their bells as a nuisance. New churches are built with fake towers with no bells.
Comment from RGstar
Oh,I liked this. Nice transition all the way through as if one whole sentence, the way a Tanka should be. Good choice of words that carry the emotions through. A nice chiming in the background that does not overpower. Good chance in the competition.
Bravo.
My best wishes.
RGstar
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Oh,I liked this. Nice transition all the way through as if one whole sentence, the way a Tanka should be. Good choice of words that carry the emotions through. A nice chiming in the background that does not overpower. Good chance in the competition.
Bravo.
My best wishes.
RGstar
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Thank you, RGstar, for your review and for wishing me the best in the competition.It took me a month to write.
Comment from bookishfabler
This is very lovely. We have wonderful Wind chimes in front of our house. On windy days the sound is beautiful.
Now I just woke up. I read your notes, and when I read this line I had to laugh. Then of course I read the rest. No coffee yet.
I began on February 5 when I passed wind (LOL)
hugs Heidi
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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This is very lovely. We have wonderful Wind chimes in front of our house. On windy days the sound is beautiful.
Now I just woke up. I read your notes, and when I read this line I had to laugh. Then of course I read the rest. No coffee yet.
I began on February 5 when I passed wind (LOL)
hugs Heidi
Comment Written 05-Mar-2017
reply by the author on 05-Mar-2017
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Thank you, Heidi, for your generous review. I hope you did not make your chimes tinkle when you passed wind. LOL. Thanks again. I am glad it made you laugh.
