Low Tide at the Bay of Fundy

Shadows fall upon us all
Currents carve, water erodes
Creating cliffs strong and tall
Wisdom worn bears heavy loads

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For this week’s W3 , we are challenged to write a tanaga inspired by the theme “Life and Wisdom.” Explore the lessons we learn from living, the choices we make, and the experiences that shape us. Even a simple image from nature can become a metaphor for a deeper truth or moral lesson.

The tanaga is a traditional Filipino poetic form, similar in its brevity and depth to the Japanese haiku. It often uses rich metaphor, or talinghaga, to offer wisdom, advice, or vivid imagery.

Your tanaga should follow these guidelines:

• Write exactly four lines.
• Use seven syllables in each line.
• Follow an AAAA rhyme scheme. Modern variations such as ABAB or AABB are also welcome. (I used a modern variation)
• Traditionally, tanagas are untitled, allowing the poem to speak for itself — but my inspiration and the photo are from when I visited the Bay of Fundy about this time last year