I find in boxes

Old wanted things from my past

Though never needed

I somehow need to keep them

They are somehow sickly sweet

A Tanka (5/7/5/7/7) is a traditional style of Japanese poetry containing only three lines. It’s quite a well-known poetic genre in Japanese poetry  quite similar to haiku, but with a few important differences. Tanka usually expresses a mood, thought, or feeling.

Critique by Alexis Ingram

“Sickly Sweet” by Francis Winifred encapsulates the bittersweet essence of nostalgia within the compact form of a Tanka poem. Through concise imagery and evocative language, the poet delves into the complex relationship between past memories and present identity.

The opening line, “I find in boxes,” immediately sets the scene of rummaging through physical remnants of the past. This act of discovery is not merely a passive encounter but implies an active engagement with personal history. The use of the word “boxes” suggests containment and storage, hinting at the poet’s attempt to confine memories within tangible boundaries.

The juxtaposition of “Old wanted things from my past” introduces a tension between the desire to hold onto the past and the realization of its irrelevance in the present. The adjective “old” emphasizes the passage of time, while “wanted things” implies a previous significance or attachment. However, the qualifier “from my past” indicates a distancing from these objects, suggesting a shift in perspective or priorities.

The paradoxical statement, “Though never needed / I somehow need to keep them,” encapsulates the ambivalence inherent in nostalgia. Despite the acknowledgment that these relics are no longer essential to the poet’s life, there exists an inexplicable compulsion to preserve them. This contradiction reflects the complex interplay between rationality and emotion, as well as the enduring power of memory to shape one’s sense of self.

The concluding line, “They are somehow sickly sweet,” encapsulates the overarching sentiment of the poem. The oxymoronic pairing of “sickly” with “sweet” conveys the conflicting emotions evoked by revisiting the past. While there is a certain sweetness in reminiscing about cherished memories, there is also a sense of discomfort or unease, akin to the cloying aftertaste of excess sweetness. This duality reinforces the idea that nostalgia is not a purely positive experience but carries with it a sense of longing tinged with melancholy.

In terms of structure, the Tanka form imposes constraints that enhance the poem’s thematic resonance. The 5-7-5-7-7 syllable pattern provides a framework for conciseness and economy of expression, mirroring the compact nature of memory itself. Furthermore, the division into two distinct parts allows for a progression of thought, culminating in a poignant reflection on the emotional ambivalence of nostalgia.

Overall, “Sickly Sweet” offers a poignant exploration of the enduring allure of the past and its impact on present consciousness. Through its evocative imagery and thought-provoking insights, the poem invites readers to contemplate their own relationship with nostalgia and the significance of memory in shaping individual identity.