a man reads the news
considers independence
questions its value
a country of open arms
building walls on its borders
This tanka is a response to
Frank Tassone’s #Haikai Challenge #92: Independence,
in which Frank discusses Independence Day in the United States and how it’s seen under
a new light, considering the treatment given to immigrants at the southern border.
Image source: © Reuters / Kim Kyung-Hoon
rivrvlogr 
A great poem about an ethical conundrum.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Robbie.
LikeLike
Yes–and it applies to a woman reading the news, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not enough people read the news, yet too many believe every word they read or hear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. It is scary and sad.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the image of mixed messages in the last two lines…the human world is a contradictory place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That it is. Thank you, Janice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Frank J. Tassone and commented:
#Haiku Happenings #3: Ken’s latest #tanka for my current #haikai challenge!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing, Frank.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
and tanks riding through the streets of Washington DC…(sigh) (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey! What’s the problem? They do it in Russia and North Korea. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
such good friends…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stating the paradox clearly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so awful, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed. Thank you, Linda.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Life is full of so many contradictions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That it is. Thank you, Dwight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too many countries have walls to keep in or to keep out.
All proclaiming their peace is best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jules. We’ll always have borders, and some of those will be in our minds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doubletalk simply doubletalk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who to believe?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The tooth fairy? (It works until they grow up a bit.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: #Haikai challenge #93 (7/6/19) lotus (hasu) #haiku #senryu #haibun #tanka #haiga #renga – Frank J. Tassone