Welcome to “Lessons on the Writer’s Voice”. Gain trusted advice and perspective from writers featured on Eat Sleep Write. Use every moment you can learning the craft of writing by listening while on the go; in your car, at the gym, or while you’re on break at work. Eat Sleep Write is here to help you become the writer you’ve dreamed of being. Tanka is one of the oldest forms of Japanese poetry. It originated in the seventh century and was celebrated in the Imperial Court, where nobles took part in contests. The tanka resembles a sonnet in form and meaning, and was often written as a declaration of love. Translated, the word tanka means “short song”.