A web clings
with limpid fragility
to the fractured sapling,
timorous in air’s breath,
long left by the spinner
of autumn’s lair
Copyright Francis 2021
The Spinner
Category: tanka
Tanka: ‘Unto the End’
For years I believed
They foisted lies upon me
Light comes to me now
Even unto the world’s end
You are not deserting me
Copyright Francis 2020
Travelling in the Wilderness (Tanka)
Family strangers
Youngest — I am odd one out
Mission accomplished
Hurled into this mad, mad world
Did I really choose this fate?
Copyright Francis 2020
*Poetics dVerse.
Tanka: ‘Remember, Remember’
Pennies for the Guy
Heroes portrayed as traitors
History repeats
A dime has duality
Turn over the other side
Copyright Francis Barker 2020
Tanka: ‘Dark Times’
Copyright Francis Barker 2020
Tanka: Under the Sun
Crises sharpen minds:
Escaping to the country
Starting a new life
We must reclaim who we are
Our freedom under the sun
copyright Francis Barker 2020
Tanka: Mad Situation
Did I ask for this?
Who’s forcing it upon me?
I say take it down
I will refuse to kowtow
My life is always my own
copyright Francis Barker 2020
Tanka: Manifesto
No left and no right
I exist at the centre
My family first
My community second
Building blocks of the nations
copyright Francis Barker 2020
Tanka: Your Choice
You see division
Whereas I see unity
In this together
Each of us must make a choice
Love always wins in the end
copyright Francis Barker 2020
Tanka: Destiny
Aquarius down
Defining point of our lives
This is the threshold
Were we all born to see this?
Witnesses to destiny
copyright Francis Barker 2020
Tanka: Lockdown Silver Lining
Not a cloud in sight
Small mercies worth waiting for
We need so little
The treasures endlessly sought
We have found them here at home
copyright Francis Barker 2020
