A Tanka Trilogy

* THE PROPOSAL

He sat beside me
And looked straight into my eyes.
Held my hand so tight,
And asked "would you marry me?"
While kneeling down with a ring.

*THE ANSWER

My cheeks went blushing
As I accepted the ring.
So long I've waited
For someone like you to come--
"Yes, darling I'll marry you!"

*THE WEDDING

Down the aisle, we marched.
Together, we'll never part.
A lifetime promise
Of forever in our hearts--
A love 'til life after death.

FOOTNOTE: A Tanka is older than Haiku. It marks an occasion or moment. Usually divided in 5 syllabic lines consisting of 5,7,5,77. The Japanese poem is written in one straight sentence. Some American Tankas add many stanzas to the poem.