The sun is reborn
Ocean reflects heaven
My true love
I sink into your depths
Ensnared by perfection

Torrential rains
Oppressive howling wind
Madness in her wake
I have lost all reason
Even monsters are beautiful

“Junji Ito’s Tomie inspired “She is Madness”. For those unfamiliar with Ito’s deadly siren, Tomie is a series of stories some connected and others standalone about a young woman named Tomie who cannot die. She bewitches men with her beauty and their infatuation slowly turns to murderous rage. This aspect of the stories is what I wanted to focus on for this tanka. The first part is about seeing Tomie and falling for her, while the second is about the madness that occurs when someone realizes what she is.

If you enjoyed “She is Madness”, check out these other Junji Ito inspired tanka. If you have never experienced Tomie you can pick it up here. Happy Halloween!!!