Blue skies linger as
plovers skitter down the shore;
Waves whoosh lullabies.
Gulls wheel as minnows flash,
catching dayflies at surface.
Solstice days extend.
Cloud’s shadows dance along
bright beach umbrellas
while babies sleep in cool shade.
Sunset is still hours away.
I tried to put the double tankas side by side but couldn’t figure out how to make them line up, so I saved them as a pdf document. You can see them side by side if you click on the link: poem solstice day at the beach
Frank J. Tassone is the host of Haikai Challenge. Frank says:
This week, write the haikai poem of your choice (haiku, senryu, haibun, tanka, haiga, renga, etc.) that alludes to the Solstice: (Summer) or Midsummer (manastsu.)
Tao Talk 
Such a lovely relaxing day. Really enjoyed this poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! :)
LikeLike
Lovely poems Li.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sadje! I just learned about the “double tanka” form. They are meant to be read side by side, where each stands alone, but the lines read across also have meaning.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I did that. Made great sense.
LikeLiked by 1 person
:) <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how that plays out as a double tanka (side by side).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ken, thank you. It took me awhile to write it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reminds me of life long ago. Well written!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed the double tanka, Sonia, thank you.
LikeLike
Very nice and creative
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jude :)
LikeLike
My pleasure Jade
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely tanka poems Lisa, it sounds like a blissful day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Xenia. Summer is kind by giving us long days at the beach to enjoy <3
LikeLiked by 1 person
Summer at it’s best! (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #3: Jade Li’s latest pair of #tanka for my current #haikai challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely tribute to summer. I find WordPress very awkward with poetry layout.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear you! Anything with more than one column is an exercise in frustration.
LikeLiked by 1 person