Sunflower Tanka is a new journal of contemporary tanka, tanka prose & experimental tanka forms.
Founded in 2025, by Robbie Cheadle & Colleen Chesebro, Sunflower Tanka is published once a year, on Amazon.com in December.
Exploring Tanka Poetry
Discover a curated selection of innovative and classic tanka poetry from poets around the world, emphasizing form and creative expression.
Our annual anthology celebrates the rich tradition of syllabic poetry, with a special focus on tanka. This concise five-line form offers a perfect balance of simplicity and depth, inviting poets to capture moments, emotions, and scenes with precision and clarity.
Whether you are a seasoned poet or new to the form, our collection provides inspiration and insight into the art of tanka composition.
Sunflower Tanka, edited by Robbie Cheadle & Colleen M. Chesebro, is an annual anthology. Join us in exploring this timeless poetic form through our latest anthology, which showcases a variety of styles, from traditional to experimental approaches.
Our focus on tanka for 2026 highlights its versatility — from classical compositions to avant-garde interpretations. Whether capturing fleeting moments or profound insights, tanka remains a compelling form for poets worldwide.
Recent Anthologies
1st Edition: 2024
Our 2024 theme, “Into the Light,” draws inspiration from the way a young sunflower bud constantly turns to face the sun. Poets delved into the realms of death, love, and the natural world, capturing their human experiences in the timeless form of syllabic poetry. Our annual anthology celebrates the rich tradition of syllabic poetry, with a special focus on tanka & experimental tanka forms.
Available in Kindle & Print
2nd Edition: 2025
Our 2025 theme “Dreams” invites poets to explore the symbolic language of dreaming, where metaphors blur the line between reality and imagination. Dreams often serve as gateways to layered meaning, offering fertile ground for syllabic poetry. Our annual anthology celebrates the rich tradition of syllabic poetry, with a special focus on tanka & experimental tanka forms.
Available in Kindle & Print
3rd Edition: 2026
Coming in December 2026
Sunflower Tanka Anthology 