Furrowed Face Tanka Poem by Chen-ou Liu

in furrows
her face holds the years
we were apart...
without saying a word
we walk past each other

Editor's Choice, Tanka Origins,2,2019

Editor's Commentary: Thanks to Chen-ou for yet another classic tanka I had tucked away for an EC also. An old relationship, not only in the many years spend apart, but also in the visuals. Using the word "furrows" for the first line, immediately captures the mystical expression and loneliness (yugentei) . The mood is further enhanced by the couple passing each other in silence.