Poetry book review on the Sunflower Tanka: Yvette Calleiro‘s three experimental tanka prose. These include a paragraph of prose to introduce the setting, before running the tanka.
Yvette’s first experimental tanka prose is Eternal Escape. The brave poet tackles obsession and addiction with external stimulant. This is a continuous cycle. As the body becomes tolerant to the stimulant, it has an increased level of dosage, to reach its feel-good state of artificial happiness. Gradually, the stimulant over powers the body’s vital organs.
As long as we live, we shall continue our struggles against adversity. Mental health is a fragile balance. The poet reminds us to take care of mental health before imagined monsters take the reins and stir up irreversible consequences.
Ms Calleiro’s second experimental tanka prose is titled First Flight of Freedom. The prose describes in vivid detail how a very young robin is nudged into taking its first flight. The poet’s tanka talks about more than the bird. The human condition is alluded to, as the poem encourages us to face our fears, maintain a positive attitude and step up to change.
The third experimental tanka, New Chapter, returns focus to the human condition. A female prisoner waits for her court appearance before her parole judge the next morning. This tanka speaks of hope, transformation and redemption.
I enjoyed reading Yvette’s tankas.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
Reference
Sunflower Tanka. Into The Light – 1st Edition 2024. Compiled by Robbie Cheadle & Colleen M. Chesebro.
Yvette blogs at https://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com/
Ms Calleiro’s books are at https://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html
