The Renku Sessions: A New Beginning – Week 2

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1. mountainside the shade
   of cherry blossoms

   a fingertip bouquet
   of fallen blossoms

   a cloud of petals
   caught up in a breeze

2. first blossoms
   hitch a tractor ride

   5/10/2021 by wendy © bialek

3. green barley—
   we follow the way
   of the wind
   ———Lorin Ford

   blossoming clouds
   water the wild mountain roses

4. a farmer slowly cycles
   through swirls of plum blossom
   …
   cherry blossoms float
   in my painted tea cup

5. green barley—
   we follow the way
   of the wind

   Lorin Ford

   *

   yellow butterfly fluttering from
   violet to queen anne’s lace

   Michelle Beyers
   Copyright © 5/10/21

6. swishing horsetails
   hide his dinosaur
   ***

7. Great start, Lorin. Thanks John for your comment.

   green barley—
   we follow the way
   of the wind

   Lorin Ford
   – – – – — – – – — – – – – – – –
   the gray of a nettle leaf
   among the butterflies
   – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
   the hidden perfume
   of pittosporum flowers
   – – – – – – – – – – – – – – — – –
   the lightness of poplars
   on the side of the road

8. green barley—
   we follow the way
   of the wind
   ———Lorin Ford

   as pear blossoms open
   his daughter leaves home

   the grass remembers green
   and the cherry pink

   1. as the cherries blossom
      she laces her boots

9. footprints in the mud
   impressed with plum blossom

   plum blossom collage
   en plain air

   the picnic basket returns home
   full of apple blossom

10. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    .
    Lorin Ford
    .
    the next lane passes
    the pony ranch

    1. or
       .
       the next lane passes
       a pony ranch

11. here and there the bright lights of
    blossoming forsythia

12. walking upon
    spring grasses his morn’s new wake
    ***********
    bliss of spring rain
    still on her long hair
    *********
    end of snow begins
    all gardening in her home
    *********
    silkworms in cauldron
    brings her shine of silk saris
    *********
    sprouting grasses nod
    usher entry of romance
    *************
    he deems his right
    tilling a paddy all life

13. a nut feeder swinging
    amongst forsythia blooms

14. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    a hint of orange peaks
    out of the papaver

    in a snakes eye a hint
    of orange papava

15. Lovlely choice John and congratulations to Lorin for this captivating beginning.

    green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    plum blossoms swirl
    in the stream
    *
    kids playing pooh sticks
    with plum blossoms

    1. Good, Linda. Love the pooh sticks

16. where blossom petals
    somersault grassy hills

    5/9/2021 by wendy © bialek

17. a peach blossom opens and
    a bumblebee stumbles in
    *
    a dogwood blossom bookmarks
    Proverbs in grandma’s Bible

18. green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford
    *
    the roadside verges
    full of blossom

19. the sculptor’s fingers turning
    into wisteria blossoms

20. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

                            Lorin Ford

    wisteria branches
    hold this open gate

    #####^*+*^*+*^*+*^%%%%

    Icarus too
    follows air-born dandelion fluff

    #####^*+*^*+*^*+*^%%%%  

    this gate grows open
    with criss-crossed wisteria

21. waves of willow fluff
    roll to the end
    ***
    the horsetails bow
    to the river and the hills
    ***
    in the cloud-cleared air
    the plums seem to quiver

    1. the horsetails bow
       to river and hills

22. green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    ***
    roses bloom here
    and the joyful laughter of the children

    Nani Mariani

23. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    boiling horsetail shoots
    from a roadside ditch

24. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    .
    Lorin Ford

    crop circles in new grass
    ascribed to aliens

25. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    .
    Lorin Ford
    .
    dandelion seeds found
    in the colt’s tail
    .
    peach blossoms mix
    with parade confetti
    .
    a breeze turn willow fluff
    into drifts
    .
    dandelion cypselae find
    new homes

    1. Correction:
       a breeze turns willow fluff
       into drifts

26. the tide pulls the apple blossom
    out to sea
    …
    clouds race
    and peach blossom swirls

27. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    where cherry blossoms
    dust the mountains

    5/8/2021 by wendy © bialek

    https://i.etsystatic.com/20845839/r/il/792073/2917884526/il_1140xN.2917884526_c01n.jpg

28. mustard flowers ripples
    across the hillside
    ********************************
    dandelion fluff
    drifts in meadow breezes

    1. Correction: hokku should read–
       mustard flowers ripple
       across the hillside

29. Thank you for your guidance, John. Congratulations Lorin, for an inspiring hokku! Here are my offers:-
    ……………………………………….
    gathering blossoms
    on temple grounds
    ………………………………………..
    we sway at the hedgerow
    breathing in roses
    ……………………………………….
    ah, to rest for a spell
    beneath peach blossoms
    ………………………………………
    the tonic and respite
    among almond blossoms
    ………………………………………
    apple blossoms drift
    to meet Queen Anne’s Lace
    ……………………………………..
    the middle road
    lined with plum blossoms

30. green barley–
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    ring-tail shadows
    sweep the tranquil fields

    returning cold detour
    Emerald City

    sisters ride
    draped in almond blossoms

31. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    the scent waist-deep
    in a mustard field

32. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    camellia tea for a whiff
    of exotic places

33. Great start, Lorin. And thanks John for your comment.

    green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    a breath of cherry blossom
    enjoyed with our beers

34. 🙂 for the hell of it
    .
    green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    .
    by lunchtime a rest
    under cherry blossoms

35. the scent of peach blossoms
    perfumes the path

36. blossoms scattered
    at the buddha’s feet

    the first blossoms
    clinging to the bough

    petals on a wet
    buddha belly

    many trees blossom
    outside the station

    the joy in seeing
    mango blossoms

37. Wonderful image to start from!
    Congratulations Lorin (this reminds me of Prince-Edward’s island’s fields… thank you so much for reminding them through your hokku). Thank you for insightful guidance John! “Way of the wind”: it is a pure gem! It is great having you as our navigator 😉

    green barley-
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    (Lorin Ford)
    ***
    an almond blossom stuck
    on her fresh lipstick
    ***
    almond blossoms gathered
    between flooded river rocks
    ***
    a fake peach blossom
    in the young flight attendance’s hair
    ***
    peach blossoms offering
    so many port of call for the bees

    1. Thanks, Sandra.

38. coming of autumn
    we nod our golden heads in harvest
    *************************************************
    always waiting evening
    we narrate the story of humankind
    **************************************************
    fragrant breeze from the Fertile Crescent
    *******************************************************
    in stillness heads drooping
    golden spring field
    ********************************************************
    turning golden
    we feed deer and beer

39. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    – Lorin Ford
    *
    old man bent over
    a bowl of boiled rose blossoms
    *
    a cactus blossom, not straw,
    broke the camel’s back

40. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    .
    Lorin Ford
    .
    branches of wild plum
    crisscross the lane

    1. or
       .
       branches of wild plum
       arching the lane

41. Way to go Lorin! 😀

    what’s left of the camellias
    catching a breath

    1. Thanks, Debbie. 🙂

42. a mountain rose wavers
    on a distant hill

43. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    – Lorin Ford

    *
    breezes blowing blossoms
    into the beggar’s bowl
    *
    fortune tellers reading azalea
    blossoms instead of palms

    1. peach blossoms mix
       with parade confetti
       .
       a breeze turns wildlife fluff
       into drifts
       .
       dandelion seeds found
       in the colt’s tail
       .
       dandelion seeds find
       new homes

44. Congrats Lorin! A lovely “way” to start the renku.
    .
    green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    .
    Lorin Ford
    .
    .
    further afield
    what blossoms!
    .
    in a bird’s eye
    wild cherry
    .
    ear to ear
    blossom snow
    .
    an arpeggio of blossom
    rendered in a single note
    .
    not a yowl of blossom
    but the timbre is the same
    .
    .

    1. Thanks, Princess. 🙂

45. peach blossom scent
    on the morning air
    .
    was going to use ‘orange blossom’ as they are flowering, here, but not on the kigo list :/

    1. peach blossom scent
       here and there

46. rabbits weave through
    a carpet of plum blossom

47. green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    fragrant gardenia
    together towards the aunt’s house

    Nani Mariani

48. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    Lorin Ford

    our shoes whisper
    to the fallen blossoms

    blossom mist
    hugs the old riverboat

49. the scent of plum blossoms
    wafts across the waking land
    ***********************************
    red plum blossoms float
    in the gentle breeze
    *************************************
    spring orchids color
    the rippling hillside grass
    **************************************

50. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    .
    Lorin Ford
    .
    an old road leading
    into blossom haze

51. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    — Lorin Ford

    *
    the most beautiful peach
    blossoms there by the outhouse

52. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    — Lorin Ford

    *
    peach blossom waltz
    in the breeze

53. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    — Lorin Ford

    *
    rooster crows sprouting
    among the peach blossoms

54. Congratulations Lorin and thank you John!
    *
    green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    *
    honey bee strolling
    among the peach blossoms

    1. Thanks, Dan.

55. green barley–
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    ********************
    the scent of peach blossoms
    drifts across the path

56. green barley–
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    **************
    the scent of peach blossoms
    floats along the path

57. cherry apple blossoms
    floating on the river

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 5/7/21

58. cherry petals brushed off
    the chessboard

59. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    blossoms swirl
    in squeals of laughter

60. Thank you John and Lorin for a great start.

    green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    —Lorin Ford
    .
    wild roses wave
    at the passing parade
    .

61. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford
    *
    the fawn shies from the blows
    of the falling red plum blossoms
    *
    briefly sheltering in the scent
    of the thorny wild rose
    *
    peach blossoms flipping
    with two kids on the trampoline
    *
    dogs breathless from racing
    around the flowering mulberry
    *
    Would rather have these as apple blossoms (for the sound, especially with “trampoline”)–but don’t see it on the list. If it’s allowed, let me know and I will revise.

    1. “Apple blossoms” are listed, though as something of an exception to Japanese practices. Since they are on the list, I consider them available for this renku.

    2. revised versions:
       *
       the fawn shies from the blows
       of the falling apple blossoms
       *
       apple blossoms flipping
       with two kids on the trampoline
       *
       thanks!

    3. Laurie, my red oleander tree blossoms all spring! Hope it’s allowed✨

       1. Well, that’s embarrassing. If you can’t unsee that comment, please pretend apple blossoms grow on oleander trees. Sheesh😩

62. Lovely hokku Lorin!

    green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    —Lorin Ford

    *
    a knot of snakes
    whispers into mist
    *
    under plum blossom
    dancing with light
    *
    along the old path
    after a butterfly
    *
    an arc of swallows
    splicing the clouds
    *
    barefoot in blossom
    on the pilgrim path

    1. Thank you, John. 🙂

63. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford
    *
    peach blossom confetti opening
    us to the vast unknown

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 5/6/21

64. lovely hokku, Lorin .. and John, thank you so much for explaining your train of thoughts and reasoning along with the comments on all those different proposals. … so here, a blossom ..
    *
    green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    *
    Lorin Ford
    *
    the shimmer of azaleas
    overlooking mother’s grave

    1. I’ll comment here, but could have mentioned this earlier: the opening section of a renku (jo) does not deal with death, illness, grief, or any strongly emotional matters. Those things will all be welcome in the middle section (ha), starting with verse 5.

       1. gotcha!
          *
          azaleas shimmer in time
          with the jump rope chant

    2. Thank you, Maxianne.

65. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    —Lorin Ford

    [Lovely hokku, Lorin! I look forward to seeing where it leads us.]

    *

    trailside lady’s slippers
    nipped off by deer

    [lady’s slippers are spring orchids where I live]

    *

    a basket piled with fiddleheads
    for our evening meal

    *

    the old pasture
    filled now with cow vetch

    *

    roadside horsetails sway
    with each passing car

    *

    the water-meadow brimming
    with blue violets

    1. Thanks, Kristen. I look forward to see where things lead, too. 🙂

    2. green barley—
       we follow the way
       of the wind
       ———Lorin Ford

       as plum blossoms open
       his daughter leaves home

       blossoming clouds shelter
       the flowering peach

       the grass remembers green
       and the cherry pink

66. plucking a wave of plum blossom
    from the tree where you lie

    ***
    your ashes dance a waltz
    around the first cherry

    ***
    the camellia not all
    that falls at my feet

67. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    the first sprigs of white
    from the apple tree

68. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    *

    flurry of peach blossoms
    shape the unspoken

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 5/6/21

69. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    a shower of plum blossoms
    and a rainbow

    1. Keith (and everyone),
       .
       It’s a good idea to check the list of season words in order to be sure of your season references. The list designates “plum blossoms” as “late winter” and “rainbow” as “all summer.” So, while this is a nice verse outside of these considerations, it can’t be our spring blossom verse. Please feel free to offer another verse in it’s place.

       1. John,

          I thought the list says plum and red plum blossoms are both early spring. Am I reading something iwrong?

          1. Winter
             early plum [blossoms] (soobai, late winter)
             .
             Spring
             plum (blossoms*) (ume, early spring).
             red plum (blossoms*) (kobai, early spring).
             .
             So we’d need to use “early” as modifier if we wanted to show plum blossoms in winter, I think.

             1. thank you, Lorin!

             2. Hi folks
                Just wondering if an early spring kigo can be used, considering we are moving forward from an all spring kigo?

       2. Thanks, John – will do. (The rainbow came from a bird splashing in our birdbath, which is full of apple petals as it happens….. another time…)

          1. to Robert’s – “Just wondering if an early spring kigo can be used, considering we are moving forward from an all spring kigo?”
             .
             Yes, an early spring kigo can be used. Since ‘green barley’ is classed as ‘all spring’ on the list, things are open. Following ‘green barley’, any spring blossom can be used, whether it’s early blooming, late blooming or in between. ‘Green barley’ is considered to be present throughout spring, so isn’t a marker within the progression of the season.

             When something is designated ‘all whatever season’, there’s no issue of the next kigo in that season, whatever it might be, taking the renku backwards.

             1. Thank you Lorin.

       3. Thanks , dear John…

70. green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    jasmine falls
    tears flowed remembering mama

    Nani Mariani

71. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    falling first blossoms
    circle their shadows

72. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    all the dandelion fluff
    in clouds

73. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    gathering violets
    in her memory

    1. In the light of John’s subsequent ruling that reference to death etc. cannot come at this point in the renku, please amend to:

       gathering violets
       by a sheltered hedgerow

       Thank you.

74. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind
    Lorin Ford

    a distant bell
    across the spring orchids

75. green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    zigzagging blossom petals
    strewn by the flower boy

    5/6/2021 by wendy © bialek

76. I may not have made it clear enough – this second verse must be a blossom verse.
    .
    This is more or less forced by my selection of “green barley” in the hokku. One of the first three verses (in a nijûin renku starting in spring) must be a blossom verse. When we started, it could have been any of the three. But now, if we wait until the third verse, that verse would link in a “leap over” fashion back to the hokku – blossom to barley plants. This is something we need to avoid in a renku.
    .
    On the other hand, any blossom in verse two will be a sufficient link to the hokku.

    1. Can that be any spring flower from the list, John, (for example, ‘violet’) or must it be strictly a blossom? If it can be a flower, can it be a spring flower that’s not on the list, but is widely recognised as a spring flower?

       “dawn crows the scuffle of nomenclature ” – Cherie Hunter Day. One of my all-time favourite haiku. 🙂

       1. Quoting Shinku Fukuda, “In Japanese there is no distinction between ‘blossom’ and ‘flower’. They have the same meaning.” And, “Japanese people cannot hear ‘blossom’ without associating it with cherry blossoms. . . (other people) tend to want to (designate) a blossom concretely, like a peach blossom, a pear blossom, (or) a cherry blossom.”
          .
          Bill Higginson used to say that the blossom verse should feature some variety of fruit tree.
          .
          We have another blossom verse in this renku (number 19) and, for that one, I think I will insist upon a cherry blossom. For the present verse, however, we can use any spring flower from the list (though I will be most comfortable with some variety of fruit tree blossom). And, for this renku, I am asking everyone to use the list for all kigo.

          1. John,

             If we use a cherry blossom for verse 19, is it alright to also have a cherry blossom in verse 2, or should we try to stick with plum blossom or peach blossom for verse 2 and reserve cherry blossom for later?

             1. Thanks, John, for clarifying that. Any blossom or flower that appears under ‘Spring’ on the list, then. 🙂

                Michelle, we wouldn’t be having “cherry blossom” in both verse #2 and verse #19 (of that I’m sure)
                .
                “For the present verse, however, we can use any spring flower from the list (though I will be most comfortable with some variety of fruit tree blossom). ” – John

                I think John means that if “cherry blossom” doesn’t make an appearance in verse #2 he will insist on including it in verse #19. 🙂 (But I’m not certain.)

             2. Thank you, Lorin. I know there are certain places for certain kigo and we don’t like to repeat. Though I am partisl to cherry blossoms, I’ll hold off till verse 19😉

77. ghost wind
    i listen to silence

    dandelion clock
    the child’s breath becomes a wish

    finding myself in it
    quivering rain drop

    melancholic
    the wind of a thousand butterfly wings

    ocean zephyr
    kissing the salt from his skin

    ©️ Veronika Zora Novak

78. green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    scent of roses
    grandma started walking

    Nani Mariani

79. green barley –
    we followed his path
    wind

    Lorin Ford

    not too long …
    we found my cat

    Nani Mariani

80. green barley –
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    a bushel and a peck
    of first blossom petals

    5/6/2021 by wendy © bialek

81. Thank you, John. This is a most unexpected honour, and I do feel honoured. I was surprised to find “green barley: all spring” on the list and the verse wrote itself.
    .
    I look forward to reading all the wakiku. 🙂
    For those who aren’t familiar with barley fields, there are quite a few YouTube videos and this is one:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awCvbOVO7OQ

    1. Lorin, it’s a beautiful hokku and Way of the Wind a great title to work with. Pauline Oh, and I enjoyed the video too. Amazing how the barley rippled.

       1. Thanks, Pauline and Clysta.

    2. Congrats Lorin. Your barley and Laurie’s heady cabbage floated my boat. Thanks for the video link to watch in any season.

82. green barley—

    we follow the way
of the wind
                            Lorin Ford

    in our first hello
    the scent of wild rose

    dandelion seeds disperse
    in all directions

    sipping horsetail tea
    from our finest china

83. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    sprats by the barrel load
    amongst sea kelp

84. green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    a mountain rose
    tucked into my journal

    old woman bows her head
    onto the temple floor

    up with the lark
    to pick wild garlic

85. A wonderful hokku! Thanks, Lorin.

    1. Thanks, Ellen. I’m happy you like it too. 🙂

86. Congratulations Lorin. Loved the images from first reading.
    Thanks for the guiding thoughts John.

    1. Thanks, Robert. 🙂

87. drunk on the smell of sap
    from the dandelion stems
    *

88. swaying foxgloves
    shape the unspoken

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 5/6/21

89. Bravo Lorin
    *******************
    departing geese catch
    an updraft above the trees
    *********************************
    remaining blossoms
    cartwheel down the storm drain
    ****************************************
    a dusting of willow fluff
    sprinkles the pond
    ***************************
    reed sprouts cut a
    wake through the ripples
    **************************************
    dandelion seeds from
    two doors down the street

    1. l’m pleased you like it, Michael.

90. Congratulations, Lorin. Enjoyed reading your comments, John.

    1. Thanks, Carol.

91. An inspired choice, John–congratulations and thank you for leading us off, Lorin.
    And thanks, John, for your illuminating comments and for mentioning my cabbage whites.
    So many ways to go now!

    1. Thanks, Laurie.

92. wow, john….so impressed with your angle-focus on titles! wonderful commentary and crystal clear explanations. the hokku choice is quite the perfect start.
    **********************************************************
    lorin, a graceful, simple but modern zen-like hokku….congrats for having “way of the wind” lead us for the next journey.

    green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    1. Thanks, Wendy!

93. Thank you for the insightful commentary, John! Congratulations to Lorin on creating a hokku that sings to the soul. I loved it as soon as I saw it!

    green barley—
    we follow the way
    of the wind

    Lorin Ford

    1. Me too, Michelle! Well done, Lorin.

       Thanks for your commentary, John. 🙂

       marion

       1. Thanks, Marion!

    2. Many thanks, Michelle.

       1. thank you, Lorin. I am a big admirer if your poetry😊

          1. that should read of not if. i am on my iphone🤨

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