Hello. Welcome to Tanka Tuesday!
Join me and step into Tanka Tuesday, a place where language blooms with magic, turning everyday moments into sacred reflections through the art of prose and poetry. I’m Colleen Chesebro, a Michigan author, poet, Reiki Master, Hedge Witch-dream tender, & USAF veteran. I’m an INFJ! Plus, I’m an aspiring cozy mystery writer who loves crafting syllabic poetry, reading, & drinking tea. It’s great to meet you! Thanks for stopping by.
In 2016, I created Tanka Tuesday as a platform for poets to learn the fundamentals of Japanese and American syllabic poetry. Each Tuesday, a syllabic poetry challenge posts for poets to join in and write together.
In 2024, the first edition of the Sunflower Tanka, an Anthology of tanka, tanka prose, & Experimental tanka was published. The theme of the first anthology was “Into the Light.” Robbie Cheadle & I are the contributing editors of this yearly anthology. Learn more HERE.
The 2025 Sunflower Tanka Anthology featured the theme of “Dreams.”
🌻 Visit the Sunflower Tanka Anthology site at: Sunflower Tanka Anthology 🌻
Check out the different syllabic forms on Tanka Tuesday. Experiment and learn a new form.
Are you looking for opportunities to publish your syllabic poetry? Check out the Poetry Publishing Links to learn more.
Bio:
Colleen M. Chesebro hails from the heartland of the Midwestern United States. After graduating, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, launching a lifelong journey of self-exploration. Following a successful career in accounting, Colleen returned to her creative roots, reigniting her love for poetry. Today, she enjoys crafting poetry, flash fiction, and both creative and nonfiction works. Explore her writing world at The Evergreen Hedge at http://www.colleenchesebro.org.
In addition to her poetry books, Colleen has contributed to numerous anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry.
She actively supports her writing community on tankatuesday.com, by hosting a community syllabic poetry challenge called Tanka Tuesday, and by co-editing the Sunflower Tanka Anthology with Robbie Cheadle. This annual syllabic poetry anthology celebrates tanka, tanka prose, and other experimental tanka forms.
Residing in her dream home in mid-Michigan, Colleen enjoys the beauty of the Great Lakes with her husband and their two (unicorn) cats, Chloe and Sophie.
You can find her at Tanka Tuesday on http://www.tankatuesday.com.
Follow me: colleenchesebro.bsky.social 🦋 bluesky 🦋
Tanka Tuesday 