Tanka: A Voice across the Sea

a black whippet on sand and shingle looking at the water below

northern breeze
a spring in our step
after the heat
songs enter the water
filling our heart, the same sky

© Xenia Tran

a blue whippet looking to her left across the water

With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/3.5, 1/2000 s, ISO 100 and f/3.5, 1/1000 s, ISO 100.

Kristjaan at Carpe Diem introduces us to ‘Joik’, the mystical song of the Sami people. I believe there is something at the heart of all traditional music that connects us to our roots and to where our spirits come from.

The beautiful video clip that Kristjaan shared with us, a song called ‘Devieh’ performed live by Marja Mortensson is sadly no longer available.

Carpe Diem #1490: Joik, the mystical song of the Sami

Carpe Diem Summer Retreat 2018: Finding the Way

Rag Tag Daily Prompt #70: Contact

dVerse Poets: Celebrate with me Today

Author: whippetwisdom

The stories, poems and photographs on this blog are the original creative work of Xenia Tran. Inspired by life in the Scottish Highlands and in awe of nature she gives voice to the wisdom of her adopted and fostered whippets.

52 thoughts on “Tanka: A Voice across the Sea”

  3. Absolutely stunning photo with the pebbles and the contrast of the blue, and I adore the other pooch with the water out of focus and yet so much more than a backdrop. Thank you, too, for the amazing Sami song — if I hadn’t looked at her, I would’ve just as well believe these to be the songs of First Nations and Native Americans, for indeed the tone, the tunes, the haunting melodies and the tempo speak Human to me. Fantastic. My gratitude for this treat. Na’ama

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Na’ama 💜 I too feel there is a deep connection between the Sami, Native American and Gaelic songs to name a few and that connection to spirit that runs through most traditional music. So happy to share this with you 🤗💖🎶 xxx

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      1. Yes, we are all of us more alike than different, no matter what those in power (who often do not have the best interest of people but themselves in mind) try to tell us. We are all one. All come from the same source. All made of the same molecules that have been recycled through earth and water and rain and food and breath and leaf a million times … and before that … the stars … 🙂

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  4. Oh yes indeed. This fits with the International Day of World’s Indigenous People quite well. Just a beautiful tanka. I’ve always loved tanka.
    Humorously I always say, when the three lines of a haiku just won’t do…..
    Glad to see you here today — and as always, a big hello and pat on the heads to Eivor, Pearl and Xenia!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words dear Lillian – Eivor and Pearl say thank you for the big pats too! I love the additional celebratory flavour you are bringing to Open Link Night and so lovely to see you here today 🙂💖🐕 xxx

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  15. This haunting song took me back to the Riverdance show I saw for the first time this past spring, their first song brought tears to my eyes and I was left feeling that I had come home…your photos and words refreshed my soul (as always!), Xenia!

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    1. Thank you so much for your kind words Kristjaan, I was truly in awe of this Joik and it reminded me of some of the performances at the Sacred Voices Festival in North London many years ago
      💜

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