Freeverse prelude to formal tanka,
(written in honor of Gillian Anderson too late for Valentine's Day) -

After an hour of composing, rearrainging, despising,
the words came to mind
so true they seemed they must have been writ before
They must be writ upon our souls
The souls of those who admire the talent
to show only that
which needs be shown.
These are them and I am those -

The Audience Thanks You

gentle breeze shimmers sunlight
the dark depth of the lake
is hidden by the surface
serene joy in face
mystery of soul

--Derien
(non-poet) [February 22, 1999]