election draws nigh
one side will be displeased
reported results
can we trust that they are true?
the answer means war or peace.
And now, mostly for my own benefit – the 7 tanka stanzas together:
on communication
throat muscles vibrate
like two reeds on an oboe
words not fully formed
just audible air to shape
foundations of war or peace
when out of earshot
drums and smoke carried the words
no pony express
postage came much, much later
all send words of war or peace
face to face, we speak
making sounds is not enough
ears must do their part
and then, hopefully, some brains
decode words of war or peace
I’m not lying now
why would I try to trick you?
look at my kind face
nary a hint of deceit
as I speak of war or peace
com · mu · ni · ca · tion
five syllables – count them up
you must choose wisely
words have an economy
to buy and sell war or peace
ach, Übersetzung! (oh, the translation!)
J’ai presque oublié de dire (I almost forgot to say)
necesario. (is necessary)
سب الجھن میں پڑ جائیں گے. (everyone will be confused)
война или мир – кто знает? (war or peace – who knows?)
election draws nigh
one side will be displeased
reported results
can we trust that they are true?
the answer means war or peace.
defying atrophy 