Gold or grave

This is my first stab at writing a Tanka poem. Don't know if I've got it right? 

I called it Gold or grave because I always wonder which to look for.

He's digging again.
His spade as burdensome as
A burly body.
Gold or grave, he wants no hand
I just watch, dodge wanton sand.

Have you written Tanka before? Any tips?

Very big and very quiet

Did I ever mention that I used to be a poet? I began at the (not quite so tender) age of 8 but gave it all up at the (really rather awful) age of  14. Well, I've come out of retirement as of about 5 hours ago.

I called this one: "Very big and very quiet" because that's how starts :)

Very big and very quiet, in the park.
His two eyes carefully covered,

Sunglasses like

Two enormous teardrops.

I sit in his lap because
I am small - though not very.

I compare our hands.
Sniff at tobacco in his shiny black beard.

I peer into the teardrops.
My breath fogs the glass
But I see myself,
Big like him!

Then he moves,
And I am smaller than ever,
I wave goodbye because
I am very far away.

Do you write poetry? Do you have any favourite poets that I should read?