The Renku Sessions: Invitation
The Renku Sessions continue on The Haiku Foundation. I am Patricia Machmiller and I am honored to be your guide for an eighteen-verse renku, in which we will compose one verse per week until completion. A few people have asked which format we’ll be using; it will be the demikasen as documented by John Carley.
To quote John Stevenson: “Renku is a kind of game for poets, through which a collaborative poem is created. Succeeding verses are written by different contributors. Throughout the entire work, each new verse connects in some way with the one preceding it but with no others. A renku is not narrative in nature. Rather, it has been likened to traveling down a winding river, in which we know where we have been and which way we must turn to follow the river, but not yet where or in which direction we will have to turn next.”
I regard a renku session as a party for writers. As at any party, we gather to enjoy each other’s company, to socialize, to share ideas and opinions, gossip a little, eat, imbibe, grouse even, but in the end we want to leave the party upbeat with the desire to return again. The renku develops like a party. The first verse is written in homage to the place where it is written. The second is written acknowledging the guests arrival. The first four to six verses all have a feeling of decorum: as at the beginning of any party the talk is light and hot-button issues are avoided. In keeping with the small talk, we avoid using proper nouns in these verses. When the party warms up (this might be as early as verse five; it will definitely be by verse seven—we’ll see what develops), the verses will become less restrained and all topics will be entertained. The energy of the poem, as often conversations do, will build and ebb and build and ebb and build again until about verse 16 or 17. Verse 18 will bring the poem to a close; whether it will be a blow-out verse or a quiet denouement will depend on what has come before.
If you are new to renku, I would like to welcome you and to ask you to remember that this is a party and the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the company and the process. And whether you are new to renku-writing or experienced, I look forward to meeting you through your writing.
Please submit verses for the starting verse (hokku). Imagine that you are a guest arriving at a party located where you are, and you want to make a memorable verse about it. Here are the requirements:
- a three-line poem of seventeen syllables or less
- an image that suggests winter (for poets in the northern hemisphere) or summer (for poets in the southern hemisphere)
- a two-part structure – two different images, separated by punctuation (a comma, dash, ellipsis, etc.) or by a line break that clearly indicates a break in the syntax.
Please enter your verses in the comments box, below. I will be reviewing these offers until midnight on Tuesday, February 25 (California time zone). On Thursday, February 27, there will be a new posting containing my selection for our opening verse, some discussion of other appreciated verses, and instructions for composing the second verse.
I look forward to seeing your offers! And thank you, John, for your help in making this whole thing work.
Patricia
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after the snow…
in effortless silence
a robin flies by
winter landscape
on water colour paper
the snow left blank
distant
this single snow-capped mountain
belongs in a dream
icy walkway
candlelight reflections
warm the way
Patricia,
What a lovely welcome and introduction! It is so nice to meet you.
.
Being late to the party (as usual), I’ve lumped my offerings in one message. I hope that is ok.
.
winter night—
burrowing toads
deep in mud & lotus seed
.
.
broken ice
on the river –
winter begins to stir
.
.
winter light—
so much flutter & chatter
around the feeder
.
.
swooping in
swooping out –
winter fog
.
.
January thaw—
an over-eager daffodil
pushes its way up
.
.
snowbound—
young cardinals swoop
red on red on red
.
.
morning light—
the tinkle of icicles
grows louder
.
.
the wild wind’s
last brief fling . . .
snow drift
.
.
snow day—
a crackle of fire
in our stories
.
.
first in flight . . .
snow balls
go where they may
.
.
January thaw—
an over-eager daffodil
pushes its way up
-Mary Kendall
I like the allusion the daffodil could represent in this verse to, budding poets.
When we set out there’s that wonderful eagerness to bloom.
And such a delight full display we have here, in these sessions.
Carol, well said! I’ve been enjoying reading all the comments from one poet to another. Such great spirit and feeling of community. Thanks for your insight!
.
Mary
Thankyou for you lovely reply Mary, it’s a delightful verse, and so close to our St David’s Day celebration, wish I’d thought of it 🙂
snow break
traveling bare looped vine
chattering sparrows
*
fire in the hearth
watching the light
tell ancient stories
*
snow etched branches
gesturing in the wind –
fresh flowers on the table
*
late to the party
snowballs
all round
snowball-
sweeping the top lip
crescent moon
🙂
I used to drink ‘snowball’ in my youth.
Nice round, Robert.
Tried once, never again! Why would you spoil a good brandy! 😀
late snow. . .
the crocus and I
crowned
distant
this single snow-capped mountain
can i google “dream” ?
The warblers are
singing! What season
is it, Google?
Thanks for your introduction, Patricia
******
a bare branch
scribbles the moon-
white sheet
******
first warmth-
winter flies away
from clothes hanging
******
the winter wind
is moving a cloud –
plum blossoms
at the beach cafe
a delicious fusion…
sun and sea breeze
breathless
it’s all aboard
the long toboggan
Chris, this brought back childhood memories of tobogganing with my family. The anticipation, the breathlessness of excitement and the rush downhill–often broken by all of us tumbling out but ready to do it again. Well captured–I like this verse!
.
Mary
Thanks, Mary. I like your ‘snow day’ verse.
leap year moonlight –
my footprints merging
with the melting snow
a sip of green
in between blizzards
matcha lattes
*
~Autumn
cold, cold, colder
playing hide & go seek
without a scarf
***
in the freezing rain
a cardinal rests
on some general’s statue
cold rainy nights
revive hibernating
regrets
Apologies, I just remembered that these should be positive and upbeat.
That maybe so, Dan, but within your verses, you have such vivid imagery and emotion.
Have you ever tried your hand at prose poetry?
dear carol, thanks for the kind words and suggestion, writing prose poetry would be an interesting new form to learn.
I think you’d be good at it.
If you ever decide to give it a go, this book could help you to get motivated-
35 Tips for Writing Powerful Prose poems
—Kaye Linden
I bought this last year and find it an inspiring read.
(other books are available)
Thanks for the valuable introduction Patricia
late winter sky –
the first gems we are
on the thorny branch
***
warm towels
and a tangerine punch …
the first guest
***
a dress
of past elegance …
swollen branches
deserted wintry
beach, pelicans and crabs
enjoying my banjo
deserted wintry beach,
playing my banjo
for pelicans and crabs
porridge & butter
the gray skies eke out
a winter sun
First hint of spring
hazeltrees spread their pollen
tingling in my noise
The green reflections
of straw-colored wine
scent of acacia
Goodbye to winter
welcome corona-virus
and spring fatigue
.
head first a fox
pierces into the deep snow
Planet Earth binge
.
only huskies
call frost
a quilt
###
thank you Lord
for hot chocolate and
insulated jockstraps
your first one ….i like how it shows relativity.
your second one…thank you dan, for showing me the ways hot chocolate can warm so many things.
i never thought of pouring it down into the lining of a jockstrap.
it’s a sure bet to get my husband’s horses moving in the morning.
Thanks Wendy, I made a rather pathetic attempt to be funny!
your’s “is” funny, dan….my humour is strangely sic and requires an acquired taste.
boots off by the fire
shadow puppets dance
to a show of hands
– Betty Shropshire
Welcome Patricia!
.
.
what chinook winds know
the call of the loon
loon loon
.
the earmark
of a short story
daffodil
.
a whiff of 1967
12 bimoraic feet
airing an old diary
.
how it blows! the withering wind
trifling the ringlets
from a pipeful of um
.
.
talk of snow
a flurry of activity
in the bread aisle
***
ice on the pines
a letter to santa
never sent
***
drifting
in and out of a dream
snowflakes
Dan and I must’ve attended the same party. Sorry to bring down the mood. I’ll go back under my rock.
the snow falling
a girl talks about
her first-time skiing
*
The wind blows softly
As the snow trickles down.
Winter begins now
*
Please consider having a children’s haiku compotition.
Hi The mystery child
This is a renku session, maybe your request would be better posted in the, Haiku Dialogue, section.
No doubt there is a budding young population of haiku poets, as you will find if you care to read the introduction, there.
A competition relates to a gratuity of some sort, surely the taking part should be the main aim of the child’s experience.
.
I do hope others will consider this request.
mystery child, your poem below is beautiful, and could qualify as both hokku and haiku, imo, it would stand up well with any adult entry (we are all mystery children in this universe…and poetry is best coming from the innocent heart/ pure vision and soul of a child. some adults, may have forgotten that state of mind, living in the now..that you for your important example …i would publish this in a heartbeat! and be happy having it picked as our hokku for this renku:
The wind blows softly
As the snow trickles down.
Winter begins now
correction:
‘thank” you for your important example, (not…”that” you…..)
Something I’ve wondered. Is there an age minimum here and on the haiku dialogue? I’ve seen some editors note the child’s age when it is from a child.
good question debbie.
.
i don’t practice ageism or any form of discrimination. perhaps just parent’s permission or other person responsible for child… might be required.
.
*
leash lit and coats on. . .
a dog and his human
walk into winter
*
so many shades of grey
in the sky and sea. . .
lights on the pier beckon
*
*
Excited to be back in the game. Thank you to all who make this possible.
cold cold winter night
room for one more wren
in the abandoned mailbox
Windmills whirling
in the wind, frozen canals, underground,
tulip bulbs are humming
***
Lost male geese
never land to ask
for directions
Verse 5:
…
anticipation–
we hop from foot to foot
on the hot sand
Verse 4:
…
on the way there
our dog squats in the mint–
fragrant breeze
first snowfall
a lullaby
for my lashes
glitter-dipped chop
ready to begin
my winter haiga
frost in the white oak
sipping
sparkling wine
*
late season snow
last one
to the party
*
gathering
for gossip
umbrellaless people
.
nice one, robert….like the ‘g’ repeat and “umbrellaless” word! the la-la-le sounds like what the gossip might sound like.
Thank you Wendy
.
driving snow
a tight squeeze
in the shelter
Conch sunset
The blower brings
Extra blankets
******
Cold sandy toes
Out at the docks edge
A conch blower
******
Conch blower
We gather to light
This year’s hopes
******
off the carriageway
and into the woods…
winter wonderland
Welcome Patricia, and thank you for hosting the new session.
*
at the front door
she stomps the snow
from her boots
perfect! debbie
I too enjoyed this one Debbie
.
the hook outside
her snow boot
pulls a crowd
Thank you Wendy and Robert. It came to me on my work commute. Why I keep notebooks in the car, purse, etc etc or the words escape me. It would be fun to have everyone tell how/where/on what they write sometime!
chilly morning fog
in Yellowstone is mostly
buffalo breath
###
waterfalls
whisper in
winter
hail storms, below
freezing blizzards, nothing tops
my wife’s cold feet
february chill
daffodils bob up and down
in the cold breeze
*
winter gathering
a mass of snowdrops
round the bare tree
glowing evites
footprints
in the fresh snow
*
evite
traces of fallen snow
in the glowing faces
*
evite aglow
a few snowflakes
in the digital design
*
Icebox
morning, rooster rushes
his crows
####
power
outage, icicles on my
halo
a rooster rushing his crows! that is a fantastic image, dan !!!!!
that made my day! thank you, thank you! love it!!!!!
You inspire me to keep writing, gracias Wendy!
so nice to hear that dan….it should hold me threw the next eight months.
.
and you writing inspires me…as well!
“The Write People”
in from the cold for
a heated soiree
****************
The Write People ; a group of local writers, to which I belong meet monthly here in the nation’s oldest city +; Saint Augustine Florida
cool group name and poem…michael!
who thought of the title?
.
reminds me:
i used to head a group….i coined….
“The Writer’s Block Co-oP” many moons ago.
to encourage writers to write more.
‘
and when i sang and played folk music in a small group, from my high school days, i was asked right before we got on stage to perform….to come up with a name for our group so we could be formerly introduced…at the ny pavilion at the ny state fair….
i said on the spot…we were….”The Folk Hues”…..our performance was delayed….as we were told to pick another name…..i changed it to “The Folkniks”! months later, to my surprise, i received in the snail mail of the sixties…a certificate of appreciation, for “The Folkniks” in calligraphy…and it was signed by the ny governor rockefeller.
do you now, reside in fl.?
I think the name was a collaborative effort that was made before I was invited to become a member. Of course you know what Groucho Marx said about clubs.
Any way, another small group I did have a part in naming is The Coquina Haiku Circle. Coquina is a rock peculiar to the state of Florida ( which is peculiar in and of itself ) where I have been residing for the last 16 years. So California the previous 22 and KC MO the first 30
HOW ABOUT THOSE CHIEEEEFFFS? Love the Folk Hues and the Folkniks great names. So do you still play and sing. Music makes the world go round
i appreciate how active and involved you are in your community…and how you stand loyal to your sport team.
.
currently, a class act singing lullabies “with” my shih tzu, kara …every night….it is quite effective in putting her sister, a chi, mesa and my husband to sleep.
.
interesting rock of shells…the name is beautiful.
here in az we have the red rock you probably know about.
snow break—traveling
loops of wisteria vine
chattering sparrows
*a scene i photographed out back my bay window
This brought back a lovely memory for me of walking through a wisteria walk in a local park where I lived years ago. Dead of winter and a cold, wet day. The ‘loops of wisteria vine’ were hanging down in the distance; bare and dripping! And as I went along the sparrows, taking turns in little groupings, flitted ahead of me . ‘Traveling’ just as you wrote. I think that particular wisteria memory might have remained buried among others without this haiku. Thank you.
wow, fern, thank you for sharing your memories about these loops of wisteria vine and how you also saw the sparrows who seem to love traveling on them….glad my poem could bring this back for you.
.
i must admit to feeling privileged as this scene is directly outside the window where i am always washing dishes. sometimes, i look for things to wash just so i can be there….it makes me so happy.
no paths to clear
at the virtual party
any storm’s fun
winter sunshine
a few hiccups
at the temperance hall
or
.
ice melt. . .
a few hiccups
at the temperance hall
all hands on deck
we scoop out
the snowman’s body
.
last one out
snow balls
pepper the house
.
out of the snow
the dog shakes off
it’s halo
.
fresh snow
each car harbours
its own galaxy
.
Thank you Autumn for mentioning you had reread the criteria for the opening verse.
.
scatter gun
I too set off
on the wrong path
that forth one down….a real keeper! Robert
in the fresh snow
there is no path
wrong or right
Hi, Robert!
*
Nice to have company on “the road less travelled.” ; ) Hard not to get mired in the seriousness of the reality show we’re all living at the moment–even the word “party” has less-than-fun connotations these days!
*
I like your scattergun verse a lot, as well as the image of snow balls peppering the house! Seems to me the “wrong path” yielded some very “right” poetry!
*
graupel
some balls just to tiny
for the dog to fetch
*
~Autumn
sorry I’m late
a snow moon jackknifed
on the interstate
good one, patrick!
last to arrive
the first to taste
the fugu
life is fleeting
the fugu
was delicious
one last detail
snow drops at
your funeral?
correction:
one last detail
snowdrops at
your funeral?
little to no
accumulation
my burial forecast
iced lemon tea
aha moment –stock broker
meeting
winter gathering
warm sip of tea each-
snow balcony
all warmth of cuisine
on my winter jacket
i am odd guest
brittle, bare
branches, cradles
for full moons
Hello–I didn’t want to have too many rules for writing in the beginning, but perhaps I should have mentioned this: in the renku blossom verses and moon verses are very important and have designated places. I will tell you when to write about the moon or blossoms (I see some lovely verses about snowdrops). So, for now, try to write on other, generally upbeat subjects.
A couple more ideas:
***
shots of bourbon
a few trees also downed
in the ice storm
***
an ice storm
trees downed
with bourbon
***
a dinner blessing:
the sound of snow
melting into gutters
Verse 1:
…
shimmering heat–
once-drowsy cows
push through the dairy door
…
Verse 2:
…
clouds of mosquitos–
on the verandah
we prepare the feast
…
Verse 3:
…
evening downpour–
we fill our champagne glasses
with clean water
pauline….these are terrific! please don’t stop at three!
i thought i could be the only one that uses wine glasses for water/ an other beverages….we don’t do the “a” stuff here.
Thank you, Wendy, for your kind words! I will try to write more.
…
After the drought and bushfires here in Cobargo, and many other parts of Australia, water is more precious than wine. After the fires we had wonderful rain but our water supply dam is heavily polluted with ash and debris so clean water is being trucked in to our area at a cost of AUD30,000 per day.
i knew it was bad news even after the fires….but…(and thank you for sharing this with me)….i didn’t know that it compromised your drinking water, too! had a feeling that glass of water was more special in your poem. now i know why! Thanks again for sharing pauline….please write more…i value hearing from you and all the others from down under…who are affected and impacted by any of the environmental, physical/ and mental disasters that are causing chaos there as well as through-out this world.
bare dogwoods
the fresh wet snow
stays
*
warm winter
among friends
no ice to break
*
warm winter
among friends
no ice to break
— Laurie Greer
.
This is great, the pivot of the second line gives your meaning that extra emotion of being with friends.
Thanks, Carol!
It is great to be back at this, and I love seeing your various drafts and reconsiderations–this is all about process, and every haiku has dozens of ways it could go. Wonderful collegiality!
make that: Laurie.
Thankyou, Laurie.
I totally agree with your use of ‘collegiality’
It is good to be back at this, for me, it takes me away from the stress of work, and places me in a good place as it makes think of other things, yes, a good place indeed 🙂
Please knock
If our igloo’s
rockin’
breaking icicles
off the mailbox
mail lady
🙂 🙂
.
Please knock
if our igloo’s
rockin’
— Dan Campbell
words fail me, Dan, you just got to smile at this one.
I’m glad it gave you a chuckle carol, thank!
wind flowers
melt in the air
bell chimes
Dear Patricia,
*
Thank you so much for donating your time and energy to leading all of us in another renku session! As a Northern Hemisphere mountain-dweller, the opportunity to join in the creative fun and stretch my haiku muscles helps immensely in getting through these dark, snow-packed winter days…This is me raising my mug of hot cocoa to you!
*
Here are my first-ever attempts at a Hokku verse:
*
waterfall
a trickling whisper
under the ice
*
freezing fog
crystalizing the cold truth. . .
MMSE
*
(Mini-Mental State Exam, a diagnostic tool commonly used for assessing Alzheimer’s)
*
trailhead
a lost mitten beckons
this way . . .
*
scraping by
the snowplow pushes
her worries aside
*
siren call
colored lights reflecting
black ice
*
So looking forward to playing along and watching another renku unfold!
*
~Autumn
Just re-read the criteria and realized that MMSE would probably be construed as a proper noun, not to mention too heavy a topic for the opening verse. I’d originally written just:
*
freezing fog
crystalizing
the cold truth
*
I probably took the “place where it is written” less literally than it was intended–we find ourselves at a place where cold truths (such as more frequent occurrences of diseases associated with aging–a winter topic) are part of our daily lives. Nonetheless, this does not reflect my literal “place.”
*
The remaining attempts (while still perhaps too serious) are a better capture of my actual mountain surrounds.
*
Can you tell I don’t throw many parties…? 😀 Impassible roads don’t help…
*
~Autumn
oh autumn,
regardless of what is/or isn’t appropriate for hokku…i just want to say how much i love your writing and mostly this one:
.
scraping by
the snowplow pushes
her worries aside
.
-anh-
i also want to say….that when we were house hunting our agent told us it didn’t snow in Colorado (and he lived by the pike’s peek..in the springs) he showed us properties up many mountains while were in the warm months…..we could have been neighbors….but i worried about how travel might be problematic and if we needed to get to hospital quickly, etc. so i stopped looking at more mountain property…though i did so fall in love with the view and feeling i had being surrounded by that nature.
so i really understand how isolating that must be for you and your family. write your heart out, dear….it is perfect beauty to me.
correction:
pike’s peak
Thanks so much Wendy! I got a big kick out of Pike’s Peek, btw. That realtor was full of…optimism? It most definitely snows here—by the bucketload! This winter has been unusual, in that we’ve not had the sunshine that generally melts off the accumulation within a day or so. Even when the sun has made some headway, a new snowfall has taken the place of the old almost immediately. So the joke about wearing shorts in Colorado in February has not held true this year. Just this morning, our phones blared a:
*
Snow squall warning
*
How’s that for poetic? Loved it so much, I’m borrowing:
*
snow squall
powder-sugaring
the beignet
*
Lessez les bond temps roulez!
*
~Autumn
translucent fugu …
the lazy susan
spins around
– Betty Shropshire
love this! betty.
.
i never had fugu this way! is it steamed, raw, pickled?
.
when i was little my brother and his wife took me fishing on there boat, in long island, ny and we caught blowfish and that became dinner when we got home.
they breaded it and fried it….it tasted like chicken tenders though more delicate in flavour and more moist in texture. i loved it!
.
Hi Wendy! Cool that you’ve eaten a blowfish! The dish I mentioned is ‘sashimi’ style…thinly sliced raw pieces cut with very thin knives such that they appear translucent when arranged on a platter. And no, I’ve never tried this winter delicacy. 🐡
betty…my bro was in japan as a soldier, perhaps he learned the art of cleaning them there…but at the time….i was not aware how unique this experience was…(or risky) as a whole, my family has always delighted in new cultural experiences, learning new foods, techniques of preps and experimental recipes was the norm.
yes i know sashimi style….as in sushi dishes
having fugu raw….i wonder if it would increase the chance of getting toxins… raw, then placing it on a lazy susan…a kind of russian roulette wheel?????
I leave it up to you to wonder. That’s all part of the fun…others may imagine something totally different. 🙂
in the window
Mt. Rainier on every curve
we tumble out
yearly gathering
a comic and a grouch
shake snow off their coats
.
Good to see you as the sabaki, Patricia.
carmine
easy to guess who is who
lol!!!!
warming hut
the scent of our wet
woolen mittens
sally
i really like the hominess of this…the scent brings me right in!
Sunlit
Day, icicles
Weeping
###
abandoned
nest, sprinkled
with snowflakes
###
love my
mother in law
‘s fireplace
Birdfeeder
In snow covered yard –
cardinal oasis
welcome, Patricia!
looking forward to this party.
.
cold sun
mallard pairs gather
at the edge of ice
winter light …
the faint sound
of my breath
Hi Patrica
thanks for taking this on
*
new year cruise
all the stars
are out tonight
mid winter soiree
a flurry of delivery vans
circle the drive
snow covered thatch
poets versify
as the embers glow
or
.
snow covered thatch
poets versify
by a blazing fire
Nice imagery Carol.
Thankyou, Robert 🙂
open door
a beat box blasts blues
out of winter
Thankyou Patricia. I look forward to our journey.
Herewith, my offers:
backyard barbie*
mosquitoes will not
deter our fun
~~~
* Australian barbeque BBQ
~~~
after this long drought
a welcome downpour
for the green frog
~~~
at the entrance
a green frog croaks
on the welcome mat
~~~
waterless for months
yet now the garden blooms
with myriad colours
almost spring
my to do list
longer than hers
.
not yet spring
will honey taste the same?
wilting daffodils
.
knee deep in water
a few private words
with the lord
.
meanwhile
my Aussie friends fight
the dragons breath
perhaps a change to my first one
.
almost spring
suddenly my to do list
longer than hers
knee deep in water
a few private words
with the lord
— Robert Kingston
.
🙂 🙂 :O
.
I’ve had a few choice words to say myself, its a wonder I haven’t be struck down by lightening.
Fortunate to live on a hill. Feeling the pain of those wide and far. I hope you are coping okay, not sure where you are, but Pontypridd sounds bad.
Not far from Ponty, Robert, it was awful to see this place flooded, but the people are back there going about their business, which is the way of things.
.
Pony-y-pridd, means, ‘beautiful bridge’ I was hoping the flood would wash away the carbuncle they have built the other side of it, definitely not in keeping with the valley environment.
.
Being on a hill has its advantages, but we too are prone to flooding, we know what’s coming so our drainage is more than cleared, and the water runs into our own fields, which are now saturated.
.
I too feel for the people who have flooded homes, I maybe wet and wind-blown, but at the end of the day, I have a dry home to come back to.
that should be – Pont-y- pridd
winter whale watching
above every leap
a rainbow
.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPhPFGy6tKg
harsh winter . . .
the prostitute becomes
a Buddha
winter journey . . .
each fallen leaf returns
to itself
winter path . . .
I walk through the shapeless
sound of my breath
along this path
you become my eyes . . .
winter horse
winter dragon . . .
your talons clutch
bygone dreams
winter beach . . .
my feet touched
by ocean song
d deficiency
the gray skies eke out
a winter sun
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna
revision:
rendezvous —
snowshoes in a pile
beside the sauna
ready for slalom,
the young skiers waiting
for the signal
*
skiers so lovely-
only the snowman seems
a little tired
frozen breaths
our minds skid this way
& that
southern hemisphere attempt as follows:
February heat –
rivulets down the skin
of the lotus eaters
*
garden candelabra
on the kitchen bench
February drizzle
*
dancers doing
the wallflower –
melting moon
mid winter blues
we let them drift
with the snowflakes
mid winter blues
we let them drift
with the snowflakes
— Wendy C. Bialek
.
Delicate words, has the felling of ‘letting go’ as always it is up to the reader to decide, could be
in this instance our thoughts that take us as the ‘snowflakes’ suggest to many and varied places a we compose our verses, and diverts us away for life’s toil.
So gentle, a lovely read.
thanks for your kind words and great commentary, carol
growing pains
the moan of new ice
on the river
*
blizzard warning
crowds storm
the baking aisle
*
dawn arrives
in paler colors . . .
first snow
*
bright rays bend
through a dozen prisms —
Full Snow Moon
*
black lines
trace the bottoms of branches —
first snow
*
winter white —
the morrior’s pristine
no-fly zone
*
in the midst
of a cloud-ringed halo . . .
Full Cold Moon
Revised for typo:
*
winter white —
the mirror’s pristine
no-fly zone
If I was to pick one, it would be this one.
Enjoyed the imagery in all Elaine. Nice work.
Thank you, Robert. I’m glad my macro scrutiny of specks invokes something. 😉
icy road . . .
strangers whistle as they walk
to the party
icy night . . .
everyone’s breath stolen
by anticipation
Melting
Beats wilting anyday
Snowmen say
shivering kiva
her pregnant belly
not covered by snow
fireplaces –
flickers and sparks
of conversation
Cresting the frozen hill
The path leaps
Into the sky
ice-coated trees
they bring out
the best crystal
*
hostess gift
wrapped in tissue paper
a dusting of snow
*
talk of snow
a brief flurry
of excitement
*
Hoping blizzards
Will postpone my
Funeral
me too!
Have a great weekend amiga!
you too! will you be singing?
Empty pasture –
Hoof tracks sprinkled with
Snowflakes
shifting coals . . .
everyone settles
on a ghost story
I’d be more than happy at a part such as this.
I can just see everyone’s eyes looking towards the shift of the coals, very atmospheric 🙂
wintry night . . .
drawn to the tavern
with winking candles
or ‘by’ winking candles?
or even:
wintry night
drawn to the tavern’s
winking candles
*
lovely image!
in marion’s
.
wintry night . . .
drawn to the tavern
with winking candles
.
i see many taverns along the road
but the one with the winking candles
draws her in.
is there a silent “the” between “with” and “winking” on L3 ?
and has marion picked the “w” sound to resonate?
I like this version. With, winking and wintry. And there is something a little flirtatious in winking!
me too, debbie!
-5 in Belfast
moving slow
the gulls ain’t flying
*
cooking rice
windows fogged
privacy from the cold world
*
slack tide
stillness binds slush
thickens around the harbor
At the bus
stop, shivering
shadows
#####
colder today
than my ex-girlfriend’s
heart
shortest day
our candles shimmer
around the frosted pond
shortest day
candles shimmer
around a frosted garden
early daisies-
the vibrant tones
of another party
twinkle toes
a plum seed
barely present
fresh snow
fox tracks lead
up the mountain
*
below zero
offshore islands
veiled by sea smoke
*
midwinter
putting out peanuts
for the blue jays
*
Looking forward to this, Patricia! Thank you.
mulled wine
the stir
of winter shadows
*
mulled cider
warm mugs
around the fire
*
house lights low
we stay up late
telling winter’s tales
*
cold evening . . .
two guitar riffs mingle
on a terrace
the smell
of fried mutton in the house . . .
cold evening
smoke haze –
how are they doing
in my home town?
.
smoke haze –
this morning lacking
in birdsong
.
(summer – Southern hemisphere, Australia)
Lorin, it doesn’t take much thought to appreciate the sincerity of the words you have posted within both your verses.
.
Take care x
the yule log’s
roaring on the
plasm screen TV
🙂 Micheal,.. this is exactly what I see on the ABC news channel program, “Planet America”. 🙂
Good Morning Patricia! Let’s get this party started
******************************************
in the cloak room
our dog has a hay day
sniffing goulashes
soft snow
queues lengthen
at the soup kitchen
.
icy road
a wave from a fellow
food bank user
.
man made logs
a new law
to protect the world
How exciting this new journey is, especially with a new sabaki!
…
There are a lot more northern than southern hemisphere poets, however, so there will be a lot more snowy scenes than otherwise, I imagine. I will be working on some hot summer haiku though today in my part of Australia it is cloudy and cool.
…
Pauline
disproportionate
the snowwoman’s nose
& shrimp on the barbie
blinding sleet
diakon in my fugu broth
a snowwoman’s nose
correction:
blinding sleet
daikon in my fugu broth
a snowwoman’s nose
*daikon: long white radish looks like a carrot
Hi Patricia, thank you for the introduction and invitation.
#####
Wearing my
scarecrow’s hat –
silly snowman
Hand me down
hats, a snowman’s
tombstone
where i come from:
snow cowgirls
their lassos
frozen to the ground
Snow cowgirls –
Plums instead of carrots
for noses
It’s going to be another fun ride. Already a few familiar faces and hopefully some new ones throughout these eighteen weeks. Thanks for hosting, Patricia! Here are a few of my early week thoughts. Food and snow come to mind. I wouldn’t eat it, but It’s wise to be extra kind to the person preparing your fugu lol
*
carrying a bag
of groceries
the first snowflakes
*
in the window
a candle
snow falling
*
bowing graciously
she makes the best
pufferfish stew
Comically:
*
to those preparing
the fugu soup
be extra kind
blowing snow
what doesn’t kill us
makes us stronger
I see the play on blowfish there with blowing snow? Very smart! lol…I think that something like this could also imply that sneakily (a collaboration to start all the collaboration? I like it!):
*
snow blowing
the fugu soup
makes us stronger
*
and an unrelated hokku coming to my mind today:
*
a deep snow
the goldendoodle
eager to greet us
after the snow
a blank paper
in the fortune cookie
the weight of snow
on the cowgirls
peak
*
snow angels
along the drive
a heavenly host awaits
*
hi… patricia m.
love your invitation to the party:
crock of soup
our frozen shadows
on the doorsteps
Patricia–a warm welcome! Enjoyed your intro very much and am ready to leap right in:
*
crackle of pine logs
fireplace flames leap
to greet the guests
*
Hi Patricia
Thank you for a great introduction.
.
river boat trip
an unknown guest dribbles
through the window
robert
cool! the ways those germs travel
whale watching
a cruise ship party
of masked passengers
believing is seeing
two pods
on the horizon
Hello, and welcome, Patricia.
Lovely introduction, I particularly like the way you have likened the renku session to ‘travelling down a winding river’
.
morning snow
the village hall
full of merriment
or
.
snow flurries
the village hall
full of laughter
icy moon . . .
guests follow their breath
to the great hall
Oh, I love this image!
Thank you for such a wonderful introduction, Patricia! I look forward to participating immensely.
.
marion