Here they are—the last few tankas written by Los Angeles Public Library staffers in celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month. It’s not too late to join in the fun by posting your own poem to Instagram. In the meantime, feast your eyes on these final tankas in the Eat Your Words! series!
once your tongue licks it
each crunchy Cheeto takes hold
explodes with flavor
cheese powder all over me
orange fingers led astray
—Kathryn Ing
Chili cheeseburger
Extra onions, pickles, too
Tommy’s makes ‘em great
Add pickled yellow peppers
LA fast food is for me
—Sheryn Morris
Yellow, baked, warm.
Love how versatile you are,
savory or sweet --
mix in cheese, bacon, Hatch chiles
or pecans and fruit. So good.
—Rita R.
My carmelitas,
Oats, brown sugar and butter,
Chocolate, caramel.
The chewy sugary crust
Surrounds the treasures inside.
—Anne Olivier
Grandmother’s yeast rolls
live only in my mem’ry
I close my eyes and
taste buttery pillows, hear
my grandfather ask for more
—Liz C.
We hope you enjoyed the tankas. Check back on Friday as we say farewell to our last batch of haikus!
Enhanced photo illustrations by Aldrich Linton. Images are culled from Wikimedia Commons unless otherwise noted.