Tan-Ku for Ukraine | A World Haiku & Tanka Anthology

I wrapped up my 2024 creative year by receiving the Tan-Ku for Ukraine; A World Haiku and Tanka Anthology for peace in the midst of the Ukraine-Russian conflict. One haiku and one haibun of mine were included in this anthology compiled by Serbian award-winning filmmaker and poet Dimitar Anakiev.

In it, he described the book as "an expression of solidarity with the Ukrainian people...This book is a cry and a prayer, an expression of the desire for peace, which can be true peace only if it is just, if it punishes the aggressor and helps the victim. But this book also expresses the desire of the people of the whole world to live in peace, understanding and democracy."

Over the past year, I have spent much time wondering what the end goal of my creative work, specifically poetry, is. My dream is for it to be more than temporary entertainment but for a greater purpose; raising awareness for important issues, speaking for those who cannot, and bringing about community change or personal growth. The opportunity to be included in this anthology was my first step to putting my passion into something greater than me and it felt scary. A small step in a new direction. Here are the results...

calls for peace 

a quiet courtyard miles 

from the reality 

BLUE YELLOW (colours of the Ukrainian flag)

The students swarm together like a disturbed hive; clutching flags and raging for peace in the university courtyard. This old city drowned in hurt and hopeful cries. The cobblestones below have felt the march of iron boots before. 

single raindrops 

one long night until the

pond overflows 

Some background:

I remember writing both of these while alone in Venice, Italy this Spring. Stunned that I had achieved the feat of visiting a huge bucket list item, I spent those days lost in a dreamy haze of marvelling at every cobblestone and bridge. It wasn't until I came across a university courtyard that had been turned into an encampment full of fiery students raging against the Russian invasion of Ukraine that the dream ended and I was back in reality. The shocking juxtaposition of my comfortable life and wonderful vacation to the reminders of the horrors of war was almost frightening. I spent the rest of those days ordering tables for 1 and scribbling furiously into a notebook over plates of pasta and glasses of Spritz. Appropriately, two of the works I produced ended up in the publication above. The rest will have to wait.