October 2015
I have survived 30 years in Information Technology and am now retired. I live in Massachusetts with my wife and two cats. My tanka poetry has been published in many online and print journals. In 2012 I placed second in the Tanka Society of America International Contest, with an honorable mention for a second poem. In 2014 I had an honorable mention. I am happy to announce that in 2015 I won first prize in this prestigious contest and also received two honorable mentions.
Editor's Note: The first poem below was awarded First Prize in the 2015 Sanford Goldstein International Tanka Contest and the second and third poems received Honorable Mentions. Congratulations Ken!
a tree trunk
lost in the shadow
of its branches…
another yes
when I meant to say no
sunlight slips
through a tangle of trees
after the layoff…
not knowing where to go
I take one step
squirrels
at the bird feeder
anxiety
steals another moment
of my life
©2015 Ken Slaughter