読みながら
紫ペンで
笑い声
書いた手紙に
聞こえたりした
Loose Translation:
While I was reading, in the purple pen with which you wrote your letter, I could hear your laughing voice, and more.
Written January 2, 2019.
Parameters: Tanka, no dictionary
Commentary: This poem is about a friend I cherish very much whom I met in Japan. She is sweet, genuine, and an authentic person who occasionally writes me letters. Even though she may sometimes put on a front of being guarded or mysterious – hence the purple color – she is compassionate and her caring personality shines through in everything she does.