General Poetry posted July 28, 2019


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A Tanka Prose entry

Valley of the Kings

by June Sargent

Valley of the Kings



Looking up at the 1200 foot waterfall, I was transported to another time, another place:

the Garden of Eden. Home to Hawaii's King Kamehameha the Great, Waipi'o Valley's verdant beauty is powerful enough to cleanse one's soul.



crystal clear water

cascades down the cliff wall

thunderous splash

spits out tiny pebbles

I am cleansed




The softness of the sand beneath my feet was suprising, since it is volcanic in nature. The crashing waves along the shore conjured images of Captain Cook and his crew arriving over 200 years ago. The natives thought he was a god.



fire in the belly

mountain explodes and bleeds

path of destruction

lava filled with minerals

nurture new life




While on horseback we saw tilapia jumping in the river. We picked and ate guava fruit right off the trees. Pink, sweet and juicy! Thoughts of leaving city life behind to live off the land swirled through my mind.



honey-creepers savor

sweetness of fruits and flowers

nectar from heaven

Java parrots join in

afternoon delight




After a picnic of barbecued pork on the beach,, we hopped back into the jeep for the rocky ride up the side of the mountain. At the top we took one last look at the lushness of the valley. I had traveled thousands of miles to get a taste of paradise. I was treated to a banquet.



carved by divine hands

valley fit for kings

sacred ground

shelter and nurturer of life

respect the gift



Contemporary Tanka Prose contest entry


Memories of our trip to the Big Island of Hawaii 32 years ago. That valley was so beautiful!
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