Issue 5 – June 2026 – Tanka Prose 5

Fifty Shades of Blue

Imagine the rictus on the reader's face as the word welkin flickers on their screen. It is a mannered word for sky, in case, like me, you need to look it up. I read it in an article on writing better poetry. This is the first time I have used it and I expect it will be the last. Rictus, on the other hand, I do confess to using, but that was in a different life and the boy that wrote it died. Shard and cicatrice are also on the shameful list, though not the worst words I have used.

But now, I must abandon poetry. My wife, unconcerned with shades of lapis, azure, teal or sapphire , just wants the carpet clean. After forty years of trying, I know I lack the eloquence to move her on this point. Some words are better left unsaid

do doves mate for life

how many shades of blue

the wisdom of

the internet is nuanced

and not always true

Simon Wilson, UK

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