stalwartly
youngsters strut
toward death
in the summer mountains
where ropes hang like intestine
( )

A micro-poem for every mood, every hunger, every passing fancy.
today too
out of this urge to cry
I went to the city ( )

A great and highly-readable book of modern tanka. The introduction gives a solid introduction to the development of modern tanka, both from Japanese and Western influences. Twenty poets are featured with a short biography of each and a nice introductory selection. The poems are varied and interesting. Definitely worth reading. ( )

Reviewed in Blithe Spirit 6/3 Feb 1996