The Renku Sessions: Pilgrims' Stride 32
Welcome to The Renku Sessions. Renku is a participatory literary game, following a set of rules that are implemented by the leader of the session. If you would like to learn more about renku go here. And if you would like to see a sample of a complete renku go here.
I’m John Stevenson, and I will serve as your guide for this session, a thirty-six verse (kasen) renku. I have supplied the opening verse (hokku) and each week I will select an additional verse from among those submitted prior to the Tuesday deadline.
Verse thirty-two is selected from a total of sixty-six offers by fifteen poets. I’ve had a unique experience in this round because I’ve spent the last three days on a cross-country train, traveling from Albany, New York to Seattle, Washington, and on from there to the Seabeck Haiku Getaway. While on the train, I have been following activity on this site with intermittent internet access. Here’s hoping that I didn’t miss anything in the course of this somewhat distracting process.
A sample of some of the verses offered by poets already included in our renku:
reversing her luck
with a pinch of salt
- –Maureen Virchau
an aura of secrets
within confessional walls
- –Carole MacRury
I wonder if she knew
her aprons were art
- –Ellen Grace Olinger
saddle soap
burnishes fine leather
- –Betty Shropshire
does anyone know
who ordered the pizza?
- –Jennifer Sutherland
everyone praises
the hostess’s kimono
- –Lorin Ford
Two verses submitted by Carmen Sterba caught my attention. This will be a good opportunity to explain something about the selection process. The verses are: smooth ride home / on a skateboard and no more wet newspapers / since the online version. The first is very much my favorite. It features a fluid construction that compliments the image it offers and reflects nicely on what we are all about in the closing (kyu) section. Unfortunately, the opening verse (hokku) is a travel image. Although these are very different instances of “travel” it is most important to avoid any link between the hokku and all subsequent verses. The second offer has some potential for linkage to prior verses (dampened soil in verse three, the suggestion of the internet in verse fifteen, paper in verse twenty-five, and used books in twenty-six). There is also “reading” in the leap-over verse, generally a serious defect. None of these are as important, however, as a potential linkage to the hokku. It could be (and has been) said that earlier verses could also be read as “travel” images. In a renku that values inclusiveness over all other considerations, some flaws that would otherwise be written out of the text are going to be allowed to stand, and merely noted.
Our thirty-second verse comes from Carmen Sterba. I am choosing to read the lack of wet newspapers as a happy development, though it certainly could be read as ambivalent and containing a tinge of nostalgia.
Here is the verse you must link to:
no more wet newspapers
since the online version–Carmen Sterba
The next link, the thirty-third, is also non-seasonal. Like all verses of the closing section (kyu), it should feature a brisk, optimistic, and somewhat formal tone. Here are the requirements for verse thirty-three:
- Non-seasonal image (containing nothing from our list of season words)
- Written in three lines, without a cut
- Linking with the thirty-second verse, and only the thirty-second verse
- Shifting widely to a new topic and setting
Add your suggested three-line link below, in the Comments box. You have until midnight EST, Tuesday, October 21, 2014. You may submit as many verses as you like, but please use a new comment box for each one. I will announce my selection for the next link on Thursday, October 23 here on the blog, and provide information and instructions for submitting the next link.
What We’ll Be Looking For — Throughout the Session
There are many schematic outlines for a kasen renku. We will be using one set out by Professor Fukuda in his book Introduction to World-linking Renku. It will not be necessary for you to have a copy of this book since instructions will be offered before each verse is solicited.
It is a good idea for those participating in the composition of a renku to make use of the same list of season words. There are a number of these lists available and I intend no judgment of their relative value. For purposes of this session I am suggesting the use of The Five Hundred Essential Japanese Season Words.
Pilgrims’ Stride to Date
comparing maps
to the mountain pass–
pilgrims’ stride–John Stevenson
a sun-warmed stone bridge
over snowmelt–Billie Wilson
dampened soil
of seed trays
in the glasshouse–Margaret Beverland
grandmother’s silverware
polished every monday–Polona Oblak
a sonata
on the concert Steinway
played to the moon–Lorin Ford
dragonflies hover
by the swaying reeds–Karen Cesar
slight hum
of a drone
in fog–Alice Frampton
the atmosphere
thick with teenage pheromones–Norman Darlington
I stumble
trying to reply
“I plight thee my troth.”–Paul MacNeil
thinking of a red wig
during chemo–Asni Amin
the woodland
of silent stories
and shadow–Alan Summers
he makes a wish
to become real–Marion Clarke
each mirror reflects
only the cool moon
rising–kris moon
freshly-caught fish
sizzles in the pan–Aalix Roake
a wealthy prince
exiled in Nigeria
soliciting my help–Christopher Patchel
sugar plum fairy came
and hit the streets…–Jennifer Sutherland
a milky nimbus
at dusk
beneath the cherry tree–Scott Mason
pulling in spring clouds
with a telephoto lens–Dru Philippou
plain truth
of a skylark’s
song–Stella Pierides
our yoga instructor
tells us to breathe–Priscilla Van Valkenburgh
smoldering dung cakes
burning in the blackened pit
flavors the curry–Betty Shropshire
the family’s grudge
celebrates a century–batsword
first snowfall
covering little by little
all the dirt–Vasile Moldovan
scraping the ice rink
of blood, sweat and tears–Carole MacRury
the sting
of a paper cut
on her tongue–Terri French
used books signed
for someone special–Ellen Grace Olinger
a large voddy tonny
for the woman who may be
his next wife–Sandra Simpson
stirring the crowd
with the slur of a slur–Maureen Virchau
continents join
under this moon
the bones of my head–Patrick Sweeney
the scarecrow reads
renku to the rabbits–joel irusta
pickled grapes and walnuts
swaddled in silk
in my messenger bag–Peg Duthie
no more wet newspapers
since the online version–Carmen Sterba
This Post Has 98 Comments
Comments are closed.
It’s unfortunate that a speedy skateboard is considered similar to a pilgrimage and all it’s connotations of a long, spiritual journey. The principles of renku often seem illogical to me, but who am I to go against such a long history with all its moon and blossom verses which cause no conflict whatsoever. And so it goes.
Thank you John for visiting Seabeck and our lush green spot in the Pacific Northwest.
oh well.. twittering birds is a spring kigo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP8C2xSsngo
Tweet yourself !
🙂
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
remember
when tweeting
was just for the birds?
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
silk stockings
dry best
in the shade
hand puppets
dancing across
the screen
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
all ethnicities
connected on the F train
with a thin white cord
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
the market
for cat litter linings
quite competitive
– Lorin
the words scribbled in
dirt of the earth
lifted my soul heavenward
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
correctly
interpreting the tone
to reconstruct the image
textualism holds sway
say some of the gang of nine
apolitically
a gothic revival
emerges
with a single click
canary perches
on the edge
of his seed dish
oops – I meant 3 lines
canary perches
on the edge
of his food bowl
canary perches
on the edge of his food bowl
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
weaving one’s way
through a world wide web
of Doppelganger’s
jerry julius – if you are seeing this – would you please contact me by e-mail. My address is: ithacan@earthlink.net
Thanks.
John
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
a Driza-Bone
protecting the fish
and chips
–Alan Summers
winning a game
of Scrabble
with “futuristic”
we haven’t seen
anything yet
in 3D printing
files the block
into a column
of alabaster
bastard rasp
files the block
into a column
…ah the redeeming qualities of such a tool! ☺
a single file
rasps against the block
as the columns form
time to let it all go to
find out what is
really real
don’t love the sinner
but hate the sin
just love
in a few years
you won’t believe
what you believe now
restoring
ancient columns
at the Parthenon
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
all the choices
boiling down to just one
and then this one
–Alan Summers
ancient columns
at the Parthenon
never fail to awe
a band of comedians
to entertain
the troops
laughing
as her terrier watches
a cat on TV
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
the weather man
predicts tomorrow
in 3D sim
– Lorin
– Lorin
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
the weather man
points the way
with a laser
– Lorin
what to do
until ComEd
restores the power
whether Vermeer
did or didn’t
use a mirror
her optimism
forming into
a creed
elatedly placing
the last piece
of a puzzle
united again
with her terrier
through a microchip
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
each piece
on the chess board
gathers dust
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
redundancy
and welcome to my new
sedentary life
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
giant snails leave
slimy trails
across the concrete steps
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
freshly out-of-date
before the article
is completed
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
another log in
with another password
to learn of fresh destruction
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
dramatic headlines
list the risks and fears
of Ebola
he said she said
they said we said
you said it all
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
during the last hymn
cell phones ring
at the funeral
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
the technological
singularity looming
on this small blue dot
– Lorin
revising:
telephone polls
in absentia
after sundown
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
shock of the new
as the wrong film airs
with hidden smiles
–Alan Summers
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
pirate video
of a Mars landing
with John Carter
–Alan Summers
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
–Carmen Sterba
cold fries
and warm vinegar
on satin
–Alan Summers
thousands
of reasons
to be happy
will not miss
each button pushed
by Pavlov’s dog
my rescue cat
still choosing to sleep
in a cardboard box
looking forward
to disproving
today’s horoscope
a rotary phone
ringtone
on her cell
telephone poles
in absentia
after sundown
turning off
her cellphone
at the weekend retreat
Previously posted:
her toddler’s gift
of a lop-sided
clay vase
Edited:
her toddler’s gift
of a lopsided
clay vase
her toddler’s gift
of a lop-sided
clay vase
fast-forwarding
a black-and-white film
on Blu-ray
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
in and out of rehab
just like
Lindsay Lohan
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
ab rollers
hair curlers and
wait ..there’s more !
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
layers of meaning
in the mixed-media
art print
changing the channel
to her favorite
British sitcom
her secret
to youthful skin
in a jar
with mask and gloves
on for peace of mind
flying cross country
for peace of mind
flying cross country
with mask and gloves on
flying cross country
with mask and gloves
on for peace of mind
Previously posted:
inspired
by a documentary
on the Amish
A variation:
inspired
by her visit
to Amish country
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
we double-check
what we thought we knew
and offer other views
inspired
by a documentary
on the Amish
dismisses
the faux pas
with a gentle hug
a homeless man’s
toothless smile
from the park bench
recycled plastic
becoming
a playground
knowing a capsule
of Calgon
will take her away
I’m a little concerned about the newspapers and the paper cut, but here’s my verse
sale fliers
dot the living room floor
on my birthday
amuses the muse
of a gypsy medium
in a grand séance
submits
to the greater
good
a head-table spoon
calls Attention!
with a Waterford goblet
it never
stops raining
at the train station
saved
by the whistle
of the tea kettle
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
my name
in their database
leads to coupons in the mail
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
an old hymn and hearts
on the cross-stitch
from the thrift store
the bouncing baby
laughs uncontrollably at
absolutely nothing
at the Friday night
football game cheering
on the winning team
cheering on the winning
team at the Friday night
football game
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
sidewalk easels
on the streets
printed each day
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
business cards
on the bulletin board
at the café in town
her spare key
tucked beneath
the welcome mat
her screensaver
of Rodin
as a young man
Previously posted:
betting
on the horse
with the clever name
Another version:
placing her bet
on the horse
with a clever name
betting
on the horse
with the clever name
no more wet newspapers
since the online version
– Carmen Sterba
sometimes people
tell me they lived
in our home
pixel crazed eyes
gaze into the dark wishing
for sleep
drying the dog
with my brother’s
squirrel hoodie
drops of caramel
sliding down
the tower of cream puffs
blue parasol
with the same trim
as her gown