Singed

Written for Tanka Tuesday where
Melissa challenges us to write a lai.

drawn toward the bright white,
longing for night’s light…
no fear.
wings flutter, ignite
against the dark night…
to sear.
pulled beyond its might,
consumed in delight…
too near.

NAR©2026

Nancy’s Notes: A lai is a French form that is comprised of nine lines, each with a specific syllable count. The rhyme scheme is a/a/b/a/a/b/a/a/b. Lines ending with an “a” rhyme have five syllables and the lines ending with a “b” rhyme have two syllables.

This is “Moth to the Flame” by Thunder

#TankaTuesday Poetry Challenge No. 70, The Lai 6/23/26

^{Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.}