Written for Tanka Tuesday were our host,
Robbie, asks us to write an alliterative poem.
desert dragons doze,
drenched in dazzling droughty dust,
sun spills spiky gold,
scattering scaly shadows,
twin thorned throats thrum warm,
throned together on the wood,
beards blaze, bronze and bright,
basking, breathless, burning bold,
comrades crowned in copper calm
NAR©2026
Nancy’s Notes: The chōka (long poem) was the storytelling form of Japanese poetry from the 1st to the 13th century. It is unrhymed and written in alternating five and seven-syllable lines that end with an extra seven-syllable line. The nine-line chōka is 5-7-5-7-5-7-5-7-7.
This is “Just In Time to See the Sun” by Santana
Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used with permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
Nancy, This is such a fun read aloud! The alliteration really gives it rhythm and movement, and I love all the heat and texture in the imagery. “Sun spills spiky gold” and “crowned in copper calm” are my favorites! Much Love 🧡
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Fantastic alliteration, Nancy! These two–I am waiting for them to impart some wisdom my way–they both look so ready!
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Nance- your strong alliteration mimics the heat, breath and sharp textures of the desert, while at the same time, capturing a balance between fiery intensity and regal stillness 🙌
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I loved your alliteration poem, Nancy packed with d, s, t. b and c words.
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Brilliant post 👏👏
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