The Renku Sessions: Pilgrims' Stride 2

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1. a sun-warmed stone bridge
   over snowmelt
   — Billie Wilson

   silo motes
   rise into shafts of
   spring light
   — Dafne

2. I am enjoying reading the different contributions and versions. I am building my own picture/ scenario in my head and it is great to be transported into other worlds in just 3 lines 🙂 Really appreciate the guidance, thanks.

3. Thank you, everyone! We will pick this up again on Thursday morning (eastern US time).

4. a sun-warmed stone bridge
   over snowmelt

   Vivaldi’s masterpiece
   glides into the CD player
   but not before a tiny pause

   – Sandra Simpson

5. twittering roar of
   many treetop birds
   white noise inside

6. behind the door
   we find the last piece
   of the broken cup

   Marilyn Walker

   holding a frog
   the stone Buddha’s
   begging bowl

   Sonam Chhoki

7. comparing maps
   to the mountain shrines–
   pilgrims’ stride

   a sun-warmed stone bridge
   over snowmelt

   Billie Wilson

   behind the door
   we find the last piece
   of the broken cup

   Marilyn Walker

8. One more day. We already have some good candidates but I’m always ready to consider new offers (until midnight, eastern US time)!

9. breathing in and out
   the curtains come alive
   with the afternoon breeze

10. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    sticky taped
    to a school house window
    paper butterflies

    Jennifer Sutherland

11. Drat. Probably too close to the hokku.

12. however cliche
    the leafing woods become
    a cathedral

13. now a keepsake
    her wand
    for blowing bubbles

14. outside my window
    balanced between this and that
    the raven’s shadow

15. a butterfly
    flutters across the threshold
    to the museum

16. wild roses arc
    above the soapstone vase
    at dinner time

17. yellow eye
    of a lonely dandelion
    in the temple ruins

18. sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    children’s laughter
    playing leapfrog
    in the garden

    Jennifer Sutherland

19. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    pattering
    of chick’s feet
    on the roof

20. pattering
    of chick’s feet
    on the roof

21. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    dust brushed
    through the open door
    blown back inside

22. Hey, Debbie. No apologies required. And I appreciate that the patience goes both ways!

23. Sorry about not keeping up with your tips, John. Missed the one about not including the moon yet! Thanks for your patience!

24. I just noticed my last link starts with ‘a,’ same as the wakiku. Hate when that happens.

25. the perfect fit of the chair
    as the blue of evening
    becomes night

    (a moon reference being premature…)

26. a keepsake now
    her wand
    for blowing bubbles

27. he stirs
    a double yolked egg
    into his rice

28. soap bubbles shine
    tiny rainbows arches
    over dirty cups

29. hazy moon spilling
    pale light onto table
    mother pours tea

30. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride –John Stevenson

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    after lunch
    removing our boots
    to ford the river

31. a keepsake
    of her in a photo booth
    blowing bubbles

32. 7 letters
    another word for
    green

    (the act of guessing adds a lot for me)

33. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride –John Stevenson

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    first paper wasp
    drones slowly into
    the kitchen

    Dru

34. 3 across
    a 7-letter word
    for green

    – Chris

    verdant?

    – L

35. Oh, sorry, pushed the button too soon!

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    first up
    I choose the eggcup
    like a hen

    – Sandra Simpson

36. first up
    I choose the eggcup
    like a hen

37. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride –John Stevenson

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    on the side table
    with a floor-length cloth
    tadpoles in a jar

    – Lorin Ford

38. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride –John Stevenson

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    on the side table
    with a floor-length cloth
    a jar of tadpoles

    – Lorin Ford

39. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    tender green shoots
    up from the earth where
    buffalo grazed

    * amended to avoid ‘roamed’ conflicting with the pilgrims’ journey. If only there were an edit button!

40. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    testing the waters
    this willow branch
    and my big toe

41. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    tender green shoots
    up from the earth where
    buffalo roamed

42. Oops. across/bridge = travel

43. 3 across
    a 7-letter word
    for green

44. Whoops!

    “One further note about Lorin’s question – in addition to the given season words from our list, please feel free to use other words or phrases that clearly indicate a season. We will need to be a little careful about this, however, because we are blessed to be writing with each other from many different locations, climates, and cultures. So we will have to use very broad strokes in order to be sure they can be read from a distance.” – John

    Thanks for this consideration, John. I guess that this means, if we’re not being Japan-o-centric or pretending to live on a planet the shape of one half of a cut cantaloupe, that calendar references (such as the names of months or those holidays that’re observed world-wide) will not be considered as seasonal references. And to set that example for international renku would be a great thing. 🙂

    – Lorin

45. “One further note about Lorin’s question – in addition to the given season words from our list, please feel free to use other words or phrases that clearly indicate a season.We will need to be a little careful about this, however, because we are blessed to be writing with each other from many different locations, climates, and cultures. So we will have to use very broad strokes in order to be sure they can be read from a distance.” – John

    Thanks for this consideration, John. I guess that this means, if we’re not being Japan-o-centric or pretending to live on a planet the shape of one half of a cut cantaloupe, that calendar references (such as the names of months or those holidays that’re observed world-wide) will not be considered as seasonal references. And to set that example for international renku would be a great thing. 🙂

    – Lorin

46. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    –John Stevenson

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    –Billie Wilson

    would you like
    whitebait fries with that,
    Sir and Madam?

    😉

    – Lorin

47. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    her basketful
    of purple eggs
    never to hatch

48. “One further note about Lorin’s question – in addition to the given season words from our list, please feel free to use other words or phrases that clearly indicate a season. ”

    Thank you for adding this, John. It makes a big difference. I’d noted ku posted with clear or dubious seasonal references that aren’t on the list you specified (eg ‘spring cleaning’ & ‘percale’) and had wondered if the authors were wasting their time.

    So, only general ‘season indicators’, words not particularly evocative of Japan or anything of Japanese origin, like sushi, even if we have it for a quick lunch most days. No indication of traveling from here to there by any means throughout the renku, as walking (in the hokku) is considered to be traveling. (And therefore, I’m guessing, no mention of legs or feet, either.)

    But this last seems to beg the question of how we get out of Japan if we can’t travel! And what about the blossom verses? No Japan-evoking blossoms such as cherry blossoms or plum blossoms, but to have eg wattle blossoms or choke-cherry blossoms, we have to travel out of Japan.

    I’m feeling somewhat overwhelmed!

    – Lorin

49. yellow balloon
    floats to the ceiling
    after party glow

50. More really good verses since this morning, when I was in a dark train station trying to see my tiny cell phone keypad. One further note about Lorin’s question – in addition to the given season words from our list, please feel free to use other words or phrases that clearly indicate a season. We will need to be a little careful about this, however, because we are blessed to be writing with each other from many different locations, climates, and cultures. So we will have to use very broad strokes in order to be sure they can be read from a distance.

    A note to Dru: I don’t feel that anyone’s verses “don’t count” and, later in the renku, I will make selections that put our pleasure above the considerations of a traditional “base line.” But I probably won’t do that in the opening (the first six verses) and I thought it only fair to say so.

    I have heard people say that they don’t like renku because they don’t like all the rules. My feeling is that the rules can be a source of fun, once they are learned. But I’m aware that we are a mixed group of renku poets and I’ll be looking to balance my approach in order to provide enjoyment for both new and very experienced partners. I’m afraid, though, that this will require a degree of patience from everyone since there is no single approach that will be right for everyone at every point. My plan is to emphasize the foundation in the opening six verses and then to “loosen up” for the next twenty-four (the “ha”).

51. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    in Oklahoma
    a mare gives birth
    to a new colt

52. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    her recipe
    for steamed red snapper
    taken from the web

53. I missed session one and just read that blossoms and plants should be avoided in the jo, so I guess my three-liner will not count.

54. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    Over snowmelt

    a forsythia sprig
    slipped beneath each
    napkin ring

55. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    the cloud
    from dusting whitebait
    with flour

56. Sorry Lorin, not Login!

57. Login – I’m traveling and have just my phone. Briefly, the season word list contains both general terms, like snow, and Japan related terms, like doll festival. Please use the more general. More later today.

58. Oops – forgot to include the second verse:

    a sun- warmed stone bridge
    over snow melt

    in the glass house
    the dampened soil
    of seed trays

59. I am new to this, so here goes:

    in the glasshouse
    the dampened soil
    of seed trays

60. John, a query re

    “3) The hokku contains a season reference that is particularly evocative of Japan. We should refrain from other evocations of Japan during the renku.”

    If we are to use ‘The Five Hundred Essential Japanese Season Words’ and no other source, formal or informal, to invoke season, as you’ve specified, it beats me how it would be possible to avoid evocations of Japan.

    Would you mind explaining?

    – Lorin

61. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    suddenly needing
    to spring clean
    I choose a green cloth

    – Sandra Simpson

62. Hi Christopher P/ sabaki John,

    Mrs Bud, the florist’s wife from a version of Happy Families (in my scenario somehow the card has got mixed in with a deck of regular playing cards).

    If “Mrs Bud” is deemed an “invisible issue” she could become Mrs Bun, the baker’s wife if … things rising = spring?

63. Scott, and anyone who has written verses that we can’t use yet, hang onto those because, when we get to the love verses (or moon, or blossoms), we may be able to use those verses, as they are or with slight variations.

64. at last
    it emerges as a butterfly
    in time-lapse

    I’m curious who Mrs Bud is

65. Oops . . . our postings crossed and I think I violated caution #2 in my latest offer . . . back to the writing board!

66. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    we feel
    so much friskier
    in percale

67. Wonderful creativity in evidence! I just want to make a few addition points about this verse:

    1) The hokku features an image of travel (and the wakiku links to this aspect), so travel images are to be avoided, as is anything that tends to relate back to the hokku.

    2) There are specified verses for certain topics (the moon, blossoms, love). Unless I give a cue to include one of these topics, please avoid them.

    3) The hokku contains a season reference that is particularly evocative of Japan. We should refrain from other evocations of Japan during the renku.

    My intention has been to go light on the “rules” and focus on having fun but many of you are writing wonderful verses that have “invisible” issues and I don’t want you to be in the dark about some of these matters.

68. slipping in
    through an open window
    the scent of red plum

69. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    my new glasses
    to read an article
    about wakame

70. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    without need
    for boarding passes
    north-bound geese

    – Lorin Ford

71. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    here it comes
    on the sushi train
    fried whitebait

    – Lorin Ford

72. gentle rain on the roof
    the last sound before drifting
    into gentler sleep

73. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    a red kite
    seen from the tea-house window
    reminds her of the past

74. the perfect fit of the chair
    as I watch
    the moon grow brighter

75. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    Billie Wilson

    the table set
    with steaming tea
    and wild mint leaves

    Marilyn Walker

76. carving bees
    into a woodblock
    print tomorrow

77. Thanks, everyone. You have already assured me of another hard choice, with five days to make it even harder! Some great stuff here.

78. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    a girl releases
    the frog she couldn’t turn
    into a prince

    – John McManus

79. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    to my delight
    a rose petal
    in my slipper

    -Jennifer Sutherland

80. And yet another window verse…

    windows open
    all the way
    spring peepers

81. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    -Billie Wilson

    itching my thigh
    through the hole
    in my pocket

    -Patrick Sweeney

82. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    playing solitaire
    with an old deck
    I turn up Mrs Bud

    – Sandra Simpson

83. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    cloud seeds
    from the sill reshaping
    borderlines

84. departing geese
    from the window
    growing dark

85. on the window sill
    first nudge of green
    in the bulb-pots

86. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    an eagle’s scream
    through the window
    growing dark

87. a sun-warmed stone bridge

    over snowmelt
    2. –Billie Wilson
    —-

    from her window seat
    the elder aunt watches
    poplar fluff blow

    3. -Paul MacNeil

88. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    closing the door
    on it all, only to find
    pollen on my sleeve

89. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    who’s the slug-a-bed
    in the bullet train window
    still yawning?

    – Lorin Ford

90. in his room
    the shy boy
    blows a pinwheel

91. a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    a slug-a-bed’s face
    stares out from the bullet train
    still yawning

    – Lorin Ford

    – Lorin Ford

92. Trying again:

    ***
    comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    cherrystone clams
    are ten bucks a pound
    at the A&P!

93. the stare of red snappers
    on the kitchen counter
    at the yellow kite outside

94. And we are off to a new start! Thank you Sara, Catherine, and Karen. Noting that Karen has used both proceeding verses as a setting for her offer, I am cued that this might be a good time to write about the “leap over” verse.

    Throughout the renku, we will be making special efforts to avoid any linkage, even a remote linkage, with two particular verses. One of them is the hokku, the opening verse, and the other is the “leap over” verse. The “leap over” verse changes as we go along but it is always the verse before the verse to which we are linking. In this case, the hokku and the “leap over” verse are the same for verse three. If we were writing verse 7 now, the “leap over” verse would be number 5. For verse 29, it would be 27 and so on. While the soul of renku is, at all times, about forward motion, and repetition is generally avoided, this is especially important with regard to the hokku and the “leap over” verses.

95. comparing maps
    to the mountain shrines—
    pilgrims’ stride

    a sun-warmed stone bridge
    over snowmelt

    fiddleheads
    steamed crisp-tender
    over boiling water

96. equinox
    in a dry dock
    kitchen clock springs forward

97. lovely 🙂

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