Genie Nakano

Forest Friends~~Tanka Series No. 17, 2025

Walking on fertile groundbarefootearth between my toeslife tickles my solesI hearthe voices of treesas I wanderin a forest of wonderlegs quivering with each stepsquirrels and crowscall out loud and clearforest creaturesstart to dance with the soundstanuki scratches his bellyas autumn colorsfall from long branchesthe wind whisperscatch me now, catch me nowthe ground is goldensmall and…

Raccoon standing upright in a lush forest

Written by

genienakano

Walking 
on fertile ground
barefoot
earth between my toes
life tickles my soles

I hear
the voices of trees
as I wander
in a forest of wonder
legs quivering with each step

squirrels and crows
call out loud and clear
forest creatures
start to dance with the sounds
tanuki scratches his belly

as autumn colors
fall from long branches
the wind whispers
catch me now, catch me now
the ground is golden

small and light
my slender bones
I'm ready
to  fly...
without any wings

Genie Nakano
Originally published in
INTERNATIONAL TANKA,
Tokyo,  Japan
NO. 17, 2025
Publisher: Aya Yuki

Raccoon standing upright in a lush forest
A curious raccoon stands upright among mossy trees and lush woodland foliage.

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