The Renku Sessions: Rendezvous – Week 11
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.
Hello, everyone. Another week of sequestering. Congratulations to Australia and New Zealand. Because of the wise leadership of both countries, I read you had minimal impact from the virus and are about to begin to unsequester. What wonderful news! Meanwhile I try to keep a positive attitude. The other day my husband and I drove down the Pacific coast as a diversion from the day to day, and as we sat in the car eating our lunch, there we saw a California condor soaring over the cliff above us. Just like that, we had a glimpse of one of nature’s wonders. I’m sure you know that the condors were almost extinct when some dedicated biologists hatched a plan with the US government in 1987 to capture the last living 27 condors and breed them in captivity. They have since been successfully reintroduced to the wild. Another bird that’s endangered along our coast is the snowy plover, a tiny bird about 6 inches long. Volunteers from a conservation group come to our beach every spring about this time and rope off sections where these little birds might lay their eggs to keep horses and people from trampling on their nesting areas. The ropes went up at the end of March and will stay until August. I hope that this strange moment that we are experiencing is giving you some different opportunities and new perspectives that feed your imagination and creative endeavors. Like writing renku.
I enjoyed reading your work this week. And have chosen some verses which I thought had some potential to be our tenth verse. Here they are:
seeing one another now
through reading glasses darkly
*
time traveling through
a faded wedding album
Autumn Noel Hall
she asks what his friends would think
seeing him in her clothes
*
back from assertive class
she tells him she’s leaving
Robert Kingston
she’s the first I let borrow
my first edition Ulysses
Patrick Sweeney
she helps him cut
his mother’s apron strings
*
parting ways
on the crest of her career
*
her passion for him
renewed on borrowed time
*
leaping into the field
of all possibilities
*
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
spin doctors talk up
the lucky country
Lorin Ford
coming away with a profound
uncertainty
*
strangely attracted to rhyme
for naming their twins
*
at the mercy of mutations
in what they cannot see
*
believing there’s a third time
for everything
Laurie Greer
he still remembers the
BITCH FROM HELL tattoo on her butt
*
her gravitational waves
can shatter your heart
*
stale tacos
taste like loneliness
*
watching her still makes
him trip on curbs
Dan Campbell
applying glue
on her broken bracelet
Mark Powderhill
the quiet gush
of h2o
*
prickly pear jam
licked from his beard
Wendy C. Bialek
anxiety throbs
when she draws a song bird
Radhamani sarma
I reveal an allure
for cryptid get-ups
*
heads you win
tails I lose
Carol Jones
the overwatered orchid
drops its last blossom
Clysta Seney
time after time they begin
with the smallest kisses
*
together they dream
of never being lonely
Steve Tabb
a lockdown lesson
in long division
Andrew Shimield
a last kiss lingers
on cold lips
Debbie Scheving
her bit on the side
as yet undiscovered
Judt Shrode
she kisses him
to shut him up
Nancy Liddle
now it’s dead
in the water
Pauline O’Carolan
oh! oh! oh! oooohhh god!
particle
Princess K
pease porridge hot
pease porridge cold
*
the zoom anniversary
that no one could see
*
until a world cruise
takes a virtual turn
Michael Henry Lee
kids say the irresistible force
married the immovable object
Liz Ann Winkler
hand in hand
waiting for godot
Angiola Inglese
From the above verses I selected these for final consideration:
seeing one another now
through reading glasses darkly
Autumn Noel Hall
The phrase “glasses darkly” does two things—it links very obliquely to “dark matter” and the quarks in Clysta’s verse. It also alludes to the phrase “through a glass darkly” which has been used many times in the West as titles of a famous Bergman film, of numerous novels, books of poetry, poems, musical compositions, and even episodes in different TV series. The phrase comes the King James version of the Bible: “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12). This verse is part of a beautiful passage on faith, hope, and love that ends with “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13). (Now I’m quoting from the New International Version.) Autumn’s verse would bring all this to the renku. My hesitation is the word “now” which repeats the word in Wendy’s verse four verses earlier and “one another” which patterns “one wolf to another” in the second verse.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
Kanjini’s verse brings in a wonderful new object, the boomerang, the motion of which glances off the notion of “give and take” in the previous verse.
spin doctors talk up
the lucky country
Lorin Ford
Lorin has cleverly used “spin” to link to the quarks which have spin, but her verse gives the word a totally different meaning. The phrase “lucky country” referring to Australia might be a bit too close to India three verses away.
strangely attracted to rhyme
for naming their twins
Laurie Greer
A strange quark and a charm quark make a pair so Laurie’s use of the word “strangely” makes a subtle link to the previous verse while advancing the relationship to parenthood.
stale tacos
taste like loneliness
Dan Campbell
Very poignant verse, Dan, but you already have a verse.
oh! oh! oh! oooohhh god!
particle
Princess K
This is in the category of “I’ll have what she’s having” from the movie When Harry Met Sally. This is so good and so clever, Princess K, I’m very tempted to pick this. My hesitation is that the god particle, even though you’ve tweaked it, is still too close to the quarks.
pease porridge hot
pease porridge cold
Michael Henry Lee
I love using a nursery rhyme to advance the relationship—it implies that the couple has had a child and they are playing a clapping game to this song. The hot/cold reference links to “give and take.” I also like bringing in the sing-song of a nursery rhyme to change-up the rhetoric. But are the peas to close to sesame seeds which are only three verses away. I reluctantly think yes.
So am choosing Kanjini’s boomerang verse as our tenth verse.
Our renku up to now is:
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
the jury still out
on gray
vs grey Laurie Greer
a little half-
and-half in my tea M. R. Defibaugh
scarecrows and
moons are the best
listeners Dan Campbell
at the autumn gates
who can hear me now Wendy C. Bialek
an opened sesame
seed packet
from India Betty Shropshire
and as if by magic
they fall in love Marion Clarke
like charmed quarks
their relationship
thrives on give and take Clysta Seney
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns Kanjini Devi
And now instructions and considerations for our eleventh verse. This verse is a nonseasonal verse. . It should link to the tenth verse, but have no connection to the ninth verse. The requirements for this verse are:
- a three-line poem of seventeen syllables or less
- this verse has no seasonal reference. Note that we should avoid the mention of celestial occurrences or building structures like gates, fences, houses, doors, etc. for two verses. Avoid proper names and seed-like things for three verses; avoid the names of countries for a long while. Avoid references to the occult for four verses, references to science subjects for five verses, and tools or small flying objects for six.
- a single syntactical structure flowing over three lines.
Please enter your verses in the comments box, below. I will be reviewing these offers until midnight on Tuesday, May 5 (California time zone). On Thursday, May 7, there will be a new posting containing my selection for the eleventh verse, some discussion of other appreciated verses, and instructions for composing the twelfth verse.
Again, I hope you stay safe and healthy. Do take all precautions. And I hope you are enjoying the renku writing process. Keep up the good writing. The more you write the better the final renku will be. I encourage you to be whimsical, be daring, let your imagination loose. Let’s see what happens. I look forward to seeing your work.
And thank you, John, for your help in posting this.
With gratitude to all who have contributed,
Patricia
This Post Has 331 Comments
Comments are closed.
.
the seniors’ tour group
photobombed
by an emu
.
not wearing
an attention span
for his presidency
a last ditch attempt
on the box cars
rolling in
.
his last pitch
on the box cars
rolling in
.
his last dollar
on the box cars
rolling in
the beak
of a woodpecker
not made for metal
better to shelter
in than to endlessly
sit shiva
if i were a rich man
i would pay everyone
to shelter in
ooopsy! “one” goes to the wakiku
if i were a rich man
i would pay everybody
to shelter in
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
*
Kanji Devi
*
you can lead
an oligarch to wisdom
but you can’t make him think
*
🤑😉😂
~Autumn
terrific! autumn
somewhere between
science & shut up
in the dictionary
Well, Wendy, now I have to go get out my Unabridged Dictionary and start paging through sci-shu. Can’t wait to see what leaps off the page at me!
*
~Autumn
watch out
the blind
corners
*
a message
hidden
20 years ago
*
congrats, Kanjini, smashing… and thanks to all poets – I look forward to your verses every week.
very cool, Kiti 🙂
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
*
Kanjini Devi
*
leave it to nature
to come up with a cure
for humanity
*
~Autumn
good luck…autumn…..you have a great bunch here
maybe one will get picked for this renku verse.
Thank you, Wendy. But nice as it is to be recognized, it’s not abut being “picked” for me; it’s about participating and just being present in an international room full of talented poets who challenge, encourage, inform and uplift me. That’s the real prize for playing the renku game.
*
~Autumn
And what a great prize that is 🙂
ditto……24/7!
Couldn’t agree more!
I’ve been on a writer’s block induced renku hiatus for a week or so, hypnotized by the magic of charmed quarks. I hope everyone has been managing to stay healthy for themselves and their loved ones! I encourage everyone to stay at home whenever they can, to wear masks, and to keep practicing as much social distancing as possible even as some areas are rushing to reopen.
***
her pyrography
portrait drawn
in beechwood
***
her name etched
along the edges
in cursive
***
empty-handed hunting
for the receipt
showing toilet paper
***
the librarian
risks her life
stocking shelves
***
I even miss
lap after lap
for 500 miles
***
another country
laps us
in COVID testing
***
…and a lighthearted jab at an earlier discussion, being a novice myself lol
*
the renku
novice revels
in redundancy
matt
thank you for all that great advice!!!!!!
all great!!!!! matt….this is my favourite:
another country
laps us
in COVID testing
Thanks, Wendy! We are definitely somewhere between science and shut up, but not as close to science as we would like…lol
M.R.- glad you broke through the block. Those are fun additions.
just one more:
*
we’d never get back
to normal if we knew
what was good for us…
*
~Autumn
good one….too!
Thank you so much, Patricia, for giving my verse such a prominent mention AND for elaborating so beautifully on ALL the symbolic connections therein. I was especially pleased that you picked up on my oblique dark matter ref! I also appreciate the reminder that we need to look backwards for grammar as well as subjects/objects. I completely spaced the “now” connection to Wendy’s verse, which was the more obvious of the two (and which, were we composing in person, I would have dropped in a heartbeat–especially since I’d only included it to indicate time passage; I realize now–ha ha–that the reading glasses alone would have accomplished that); I might not have made the connection between my “one another” and “one to another,” had you not pointed it out. I realize the words are the same, but their grammatical usage is different. And you are so often reminding us, “not for 6 verses, not for a good long while” etc., so I thought we were far enough away from the hokku that it might be okay. Again, I would have reworded to accommodate had we been sitting across from one another in my living room drinking orange blossom oolong!
*
There were SO MANY great verses this round, I do NOT envy your having to choose. But I like the many possibilities opened by Kanjini’s boomerang a lot!
*
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
*
Kanjini Devi
*
inheriting
my father’s service saber
a double-edged sword
*
Taking page out of Chris Patchel’s book here and dropping “was” in L3. If it feels as though that creates too much of a break, by all means, put it back in!
*
inheriting
my father’s service saber
was a double-edged sword
*
autocorrect’s
objection to typing
“back atcha”
*
the merciful
forgiveness of
a roundabout
*
realizing
my sourdough starter
might just outlive me
*
a spike in cases
as the stay-at-home orders
are lifted
*
using
reply all
judiciously
*
Happy Cinco de Mayo, Everyone! (and yes, I know, the day commemorates a specific military event which is primarily relevant only to Mexicans and therefore it is not something we are meant to wish willy nilly to everyone–but HEY, any reason for a Fiesta these dystopic days, sí ?!)
*
~Autumn
yes, autumn,
Happy Cinco de Mayo, Everyone!
.
chopped tomatoes
waiting for quadruple priced
avocados
autumn,
love all your new verses !!!!!!
this one speaks to me…..big time!!!!!!!!
*
a spike in cases
as the stay-at-home orders
are lifted
*
Many thanks, Wendy. Funny how our poetry becomes a safe holding vessel for our worst fears…
*
Stay well!
*
~Autumn
Awesome response, Autumn! I especially like the forgiving roundabout and the longevity of sourdough starters 🙂
Thank you so much, Kanjini! The miracle of sourdough bread making is one of the things I am most grateful to have come out of this epidemic for me. How cool to feed a living thing that feeds me in return! Namaste, Sourdough–I see the Divine in You!!
*
~Autumn
Christmas crackers
hold silly gifts
like psychic fish
.
believe it or not
a psychic fish jumps
from a Christmas cracker
.
and for his next trick
the psychic fish swims
round the table
These are all so whimsical and amusing, Robert! I’ve never had anything half so interesting leap out of my Christmas Crackers. Just plastic combs and paper hats, mostly. I’m guessing you acquire your crackers at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, Number 93 Diagon Alley…? ; )
*
~Autumn
What? No jokes, combs, nail clippers or puzzles? one year we even had a mini whoopee cushion circling the table. :-))
.
Loved the HP lines.if you see a Ron Weasley key ring on your travels, I’d love one in next years cracker. 😉
.
And if you’ve never had a plastic fish at the table and enjoy a barrel of laughs, I’d spend the dollar fifty for next thanks giving.
Best
Rob 😉
more pills to swallow
for coronievirus spreading
longer than we were told
too many pills…….oooooops!
.
swallowing more pills
for coronievirus
older than they said
.
awake
as a eucalyptus grove
in the rain
.
🤣
Mistake, I’m sorry.
i’m holding
the box by its bottom
tape or no tape
Sorry I’m a little late to the renku party this week. My intentions on my day off yesterday fizzled. The virus rules seem to be adding a layer of fatigue to everything. Congrats Kanjini on a fun verse. And I enjoyed hearing about your condor sighting, Patricia. I heard about them on the news years ago but admit to losing track of their status.
*
Playgrounds seem to be on my mind this week. I will be glad when the caution tape is removed at last.
*
the creak of swings
in unison
on the playground
*
the youngest children
learn to play
tag you’re it
*
teammates cheer
when a third baseman
tags the runner out
*
at the water’s edge
they wade and splash
each other
debbie,
these are wonderful glimpses of life before Covid-19.
******************
Thanks Debbie, you have some lovely playful verses here 🙂
Hi Debbie
Quite a stir in your last three offerings when read in conjunction with your opening lines on the virus, not helped by my having tuned in from having read some of the THF book of the week “dystopian dreamscapes”. I particularly like verses two and four.
Thank you Robert, Dan, Kanjini, and Wendy. And I enjoy the variety in the THF books of the week. Will check out this week’s soon!
I enjoyed reading these Debbie, they made me remember favorite playgrounds and cheering teammates!
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns — Kanjini Devi
.
don’t ask for applause
until the very last note
fades into silence
.
how leapfrog players
end their plays
is not in the rules
.
the casino man’s
favorite game
is the coin toss
.
30 years
of shining lungs
since i kicked the habit
Wendy, if this is personal, congrats!
oh, yes…..thanks debbie!
ventriloquist
conceals his fart
in a dummy
now, that’s skillful!
yeah, he was just throwing his talent that way…..lol!!!!!
I meant to ask this earlier on 🙂
Can someone kindly explain to me (a novice renku participant) :-
Why does the renku flow from winter (hokku), with no spring/summer references, to autumn verses?
Hi Kanjini
Renku generally start in the season you are in. Some leaders / perhaps all have the prerogative to change this. Then depending on the name / how many versus (there are many variants) determines when seasons and other key verses are introduced. I was advised a few weeks ago to purchase John Carley’s ( the renku reckoner) which apparently is one of if not the best guides to renku.
Hope this is of help!
Best
Rob
on page 58 of john carley’s book, renku reckoner…there is a chart called a schemas…..we are doing a form of renku now called demikasen.
the sabaki….patricia in this case has picked this form to use.
on the chart it lists various scenarios for beginnings——thru—–endings for this 18 verse renku. it appears to me patricia has chosen the last column on this chart.
more to come…..
all seasons will be represented…not always in order….and broken up by non-seasonal verses.
kanjini…..you will get many a chance to offer verses in these other seasons later in this renku. don’t fret! LOL!!!
No fretting here, Wendy, I simply sought clarification 🙂
guitar frets
there is a time
time time to every season
a lodged
guitar pick
between frets
let me rephrase this for kanjini:
all seasons will be represented…not always in order….and broken up by non-seasonal verses.
we all will be able to offer verses in these other seasons later in this renku.
Kia ora, Wendy!
Thank you for your replies, Rob & Wendy. I will look into said book 🙂
Hi, Kanjini–this was one of the first puzzlements I had when first coming to renku. I’ve now come to understand that a renku is not a narrative and, although it is always going forward in time like a river, it strives to leap and surge and surprise, and as it forges ahead, seasons come and go, but when a season is missed it’s not that it’s left out–it was leapt over. When it returns, perhaps years have passed. It is one of many strategies used to keep the poem full of unexpected turns.
Wonderful, Patricia, I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying renku! Seasons come and go, this too shall pass… Once again, thank you for your guidance here 🙂
so poetically said, patricia!
i am touched with tears in your explanation.
*
i was just thinking about how fun the journey is
when i don’t look at a chart…..
*
what good is a journey
if i know what’s coming
’round the bend
premature infants
catch up
in incubators
good ideas
done to death
in endless sequels
*
the march
of roman numerals
after the name
*
May the Forth be with you Laurie. Your range of qualified offerings blows my mind.
Love your second verse Laurie, especially the kisses. Be it love or death and the two fingers salutes.
🙂
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
.
an open palm
loaded with the calluses
from the sharpest blade
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
.
out of the dust
an old watch wrapped
in a news clipping
.
in clippings
an old watch
on what went where
.
in tiny tails
the prodigy
strides onstage
.
judt, do you mean?
the prodigy
strides on stage
in tiny tails
then i like this very much.
child pianist
programed to perform
trips over tails
*
child pianist
wired to perform
trips over tails
I see, thanks.
Why do you prefer the switch, Wendy?
judt,
if feels/reads more like a clear verse to me…and less like haiku
“it” feels…..
I see, thanks.
Revision:
.
in little tails
the prodigy
strides onstage
.
can live through
this lock down if you
cured stupidity
can live through
this lockdown if you
cured stupidity
on a horizontal plain
trees sprout wings
that can fly
memories
in the intricate stitching
of grandma’s eiderdown
i can live
with patches of colour
on tv faces
.
an orb weaver
exploring
the dream catcher
.
Wow–this is just BEAUTIFUL, Judt!! Are you familiar with Grandmother Spider as creator of the Universe in some Native American traditions? This reminds me of Her weaving each and every one of us into the pattern.
*
This image will stay with me for a long time–thank you!
*
~Autumn
Why, thank you, Autumn! Yes, I began with, and wanted to use Grandmother Spider. But those pesky proper nouns!
to get through lockdown
I listen to all
my Dylan LPs
*
I know this includes a proper name, but I presume Nobel prize winning geniuses are exempt!
dylan’s one of my favourites, too andrew! i love best his early lps!
a wonderful poet….i used to play this song over and over again…because i began an oil painting with it….and for some reason my brush stroke style would change and i needed it to stay with the mood of the piece. it is not the one i like best of his…..but i think the words are applicable to this pandemic time:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtituHRD2vI
thanks for the memories
and thanks for mentioning the kukai
speaking about awards:
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
kudos andrew for your mention in last month’s kukai !!!!!!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
*
i was not a contestant, but i did vote!
.
shards of the shattered
crystal prism
catching the light
.
feeling
the smoothness
of a river rock
***
no need
for a worry stone
right now
I like both of these Susan.
Both ad a cool, soothing feel to the mix.
carrying the most
precious things
in the crook of her arm
*
through furrows
she goes to weed
singing
*
the dog continues
to jump in and out
of the wave
*
the fruit basket
gives back
with a dessert
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
*
scattered hair
at the base
of the barbers chair
clippings
litter
the barbers floor
.
slithers of light
about the demon
barbers chair
.
scattered hair
at the base
of the barbers chair
.
clippings
litter
the barbers floor
clippings
litter
the stylists floor
screams
run deep
in Todd sweeneys chair
One of my all-time FAVORITE musicals, Robert. I can think of a few oligarchs I’d like to have end up in one of Mrs. Lovett’s meat pies about now, too…
*
~Autumn
Not seen it on the stage Autumn, though I do recall seeing a black and white version on the television when young. I thought Depp also made a good appearance in Tim Burton’s adaptation in 2008.
Sadly those oligarchs are like eels, you will need newspapers to hold them still in order to make your mince. 🙂
Ha! Slippery eelagarchs! Must be all the oil… ; )
*
I’ve never gotten to see Sweden Todd live either, Robert. Just the Johnny Depp version you mention and the recording of the stage production that starred Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett (which my high school music teacher had us watch in theory class). It made a deliciously macabre impression nonetheless!
*
~Autumn
‘slithers of light’ …what a wonderful phrase!!
Thanks Judt
Enjoying some of your verses too.
Robert, the third verse makes a good party verse in my opinion, a hint of mystery.
Thanks Debbie.
The mystery it appears still exists.
Interesting learning that he supposedly originated from the same part of London where Jack the Ripper carried out his evil deeds.
.
the young prodigy’s attack
lifting his bum off the bench
.
.
‘attack’ as a musical term
.
do you have a line 3 for this intriguing verse? judt?
i’d love to see it!!!
the fart
in B minor
timed perfectly
I had in my guitar tuner one time when our dog’s flatulence registered a D flat!
I can envision a marching band.
dan
that’s a hilarious pick-up line!
he blames
his fart
on the dog
*
our dogs are sneaky
they don’t do
“audible” farts
*
i was surprised to learn…..that only certain breed dogs have “audible” farts.
*
i used to believe
it was my husband’s
the dog’s inaudible fart
😂😂😂 Yes! Right on cue! Speaking of bums, I’m laughing mine off.
glad you got off on this, judt!
would you have thought letting go)))))))) renku could be this fun????????
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
the cat
a tad pensive
in it’s bed
yes, our pets are also going through this…with us, too! rob!
*
“its”=possessive ( bed)
“it’s=it is…contraction.
*
in lock down
the dogs drag all the toys
to sleep together
Thanks Wendy.
Posted with my mobile I did not pick it up.
.
the cat
a tad pensive
in its bed
*
in lockdown
the dogs drag all the toys
to sleep together
the arresting
double speak
of the grammar police
*
🤔😜😂
speaking of doubling, how about if I get rid of the the 😂
*
the arresting
double speak
of grammar police
time
enough time
time
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns – Kanjini Devi
.
under the rainbow
screeching
rainbow lorikeets
i like the colourful echo of repeated shapes, here.
hummingbird
up and down
where the feeder was
Congratulations on the boomerang verse, Kanjini. I’m always fascinated to see where our minds go. An interesting one to link to too.
…
Verse 1:
…
nothing
is more certain
than the tides
…
Verse 2:
…
“only locals allowed
on our beach
so go home!”
…
Verse 3:
…
everyone is worried
about a second wave
of virus
…
Verse 4:
…
after the performance
his empty hat
was still empty
…
Verse 5:
…
no planes
fly
into the blue
…
Verse 6:
…
cows enjoy the lush green grass
growing
out of the ashes
…
Verse 7:
…
will the new normal
be anything like
the old normal?
very relatable array of verses pauline.
.
re: verse 3
pauline,
where you live….have they been able to determine with science….that the first wave is over?
re: v.4 if line1 became line 3…then it can avoid the pausing break.
Wendy, it’s determined by science in the sense that statistical analysis is considered a science.
.
“Statistics is a mathematical body of science that pertains to the collection, analysis, interpretation or explanation, and presentation of data, ….”
.
The graphs here do get updated, and you can check when last updated:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-26/coronavirus-covid19-global-spread-data-explained/12089028?nw=0
.
Things are easing out of lockdown at present, differently in the various different States and territories. Scroll down here to the title, “So will we see a second wave of coronavirus?”
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-02/will-coronavirus-hit-us-worse-in-winter/12204530
.
(The answer to that question is almost certainly to be “yes”, and then a third, etc. )
.
Lorin,
thank you for the links….i am currently studying and comparing the curves.
my original question is…..rephrased…..what scientifically constitutes a completion of the FIRST wave?
*
between each
haircut
i sweep up all the hair
That’s easy, Wendy–completion of the first wave correlates directly with Wallstreet Shareholders’ maximum level of existential angst. Also with VP Pence’s refusal to wear a mask while visiting Covid19 patients at the Mayo clinic. Also the distinct escalation in volume of a collective chorus of, “I want my MTVeeeeeeee…” by the entitled masses.
*
Just sayin’
*
😉
that is a given, autumn…..but i was asking for the
completed above…….
Thank you, Pauline. You have some lovely verses here. Yes, it’s a wonderfully fascinating process for me too 🙂
edited:
busy creating
i bump into
the glass
*glass= glass store window
*
forgive me
for knowing myself
this will happen again
novice teacher
struggling with ’cause and effect’
‘skip it’ I say
edited:
*
combining two of dan’s absolutely, fantastic verses into one:
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
those steeples sketched
in air become oils
of grandpa’s arks
‘
*oils= oil paintings
I like it, please add Authors: Wendy and Dan!
glad you it! dan
*
done!
*
when i was little, we were very poor, i loved playing with paper dolls and cutting out the doll clothes….they cost .25 cents a book….my mother would give me the expired sears catalogues and i would cut my own from the models and their clothes….and cut out adding my own tabs to the clothes.
in high school, i remember, the budget was low for school supplies, my art teacher found a way to teach us art with collage, all the parents donated their older magazines and i had a ball, cutting threw them to compose my art work.
in my early college years, i had the wonderful opportunity to attend a metal sculpture class in found objects. we went to a new place each week to find things and inspirations to construct our art pieces. the first week, we went to a junk yard….rummaging through piles of broken, rusted metal.
all we could carry….was ours for free….i was in heaven….i still carry this bliss with me today….in everything i do.
*
can’t help believing
every poem
is found art
corrections:
glad you like it. dan!
*
cutting through…(not. threw)
junkyard art, that is fascinating, they do have a kind of sad and haunting at,osphere.
for sure, dan…..are you getting ideas?????
a nest
filled with
expectant chicks
beautiful! thank you, mark
golden oldies
are his time
machine
I have a question, addressed to anyone who can set me straight.
I have been, and it appears to me that quite a few of us have been linking to ‘returns’ in Kanjini’s verse. But I realized that, as I now read it, ‘returns’ is the link to ‘give and take.’ So if we link to that, isn’t it a backlink?
If I were the only one doing it, I’d be sure I was on the wrong track. But since several others are (as it appears to me) also doing it, I’m confused.
Could anyone help clear it up for me?
.
Thanks,
Judt
yes, judt, i have noticed this overlapping, too….that can and does lead to a backlinking, as well! i am sure that i am guilty in many of my verses posted here.
this shows to me that you have a keen awareness of the dynamics of structure, meaning, and sensitivity to rules of renku.
thank you for bringing up your astute observation!
Thanks for your comment, Wendy. I just don’t want to spend time writing verses that are disqualified from the get-go 🙃.
judt….i understand your concerns…
.
and please keep in mind…i never stop learning…..i am not immune to straying, i am in a constant state of exploring in this never ending adventure with you….my ultimate goal is not to win….it is to live and enjoy the journeys ….and i can never be disappointed.
judt,
i don’t think this can be controlled all that much!
i find that much of the way learning comes about IS by making mistakes….truly, even being surrounded by books, can not prevent….it. (i am NOT, discouraging reading everything you can get your hands on) but slips will happen.
for example: Patricia states that this is a three line verse….it is right there….you read it…..yet you write a two-line verse, today. we are human….not machines.
we get distracted…..maybe you saw kanjini’s verse….and it made you think we were doing two-liners…for me….it could be the dog jumping on my thighs when i’m typing and i loose my thoughts….etc. etc.
books are great….but they can’t make me be in the present, they can’t make me focus on everything….only i can do that…..books can’t make me feel…or make me creative…..only doing it does.
No room below, Wendy…yes, thanks! Of course the wakiku! I should have included that point. But after that, is it not important to avoid linking to the hokku?
For fun, absolutely! For me, the rules add to the fun. Reminds me…Robert Frost said something to the effect that writing poetry without rhyme is like playing tennis without a net. 🙂
judt……
i am wondering:
that you are confident of knowing these “cardinal” rules so very well…then how is it you say that you were confused? and then….how could you allow yourself not to follow them?
as for me….i am still…..very, very, new to renku…..though in my head….i know these rules….
(and respect them !!!!)
busy creating
i bump into
the glass store window
*
forgive me
for knowing myself
this will happen again
1.
the sabaki will have the judgement to decide what goes into the renku….and what does not.
2.
i will link to the hokku to create the second verse, wakiku
3.
if i create an offering, that backlinks, in whole or in part, to any verse, i would not expect it to be accepted into renku.
Wendy, I so regret that this has become a misunderstanding. I was saying that as a complete beginner, it was my understanding about these rules. Like you, I am here to learn and enjoy. My comment had nothing to do with negative judgment about others’ verses…that is the furthest thing from my mind! I’ve noticed that you have kindly brought to some others’ attention that something in their verse would disqualify it. I realized that probably none of my verses would qualify, and it seemed as if some others were going down the same path. Yes, I was confused, and asked for help. Lorin referred me to a link to John Carley’s discussion of renku. Wonderful, exactly what I need, and I’ll be going back to it many times and will get his book.
Please know that I am in no way trying to take over as sabaki! Actually, the thought of that is quite funny to me. What a royal cluster that would be!
I have the most cordial feelings toward you and everyone who’s participating. I think we get to know each other a bit through our verses. I love it.
oh judt…..the misunderstanding that i am aware of….is that my stating what the sabaki’s job is……was just that.
in john’s book…..he explains about this.
i never felt you were trying to do that job.
(i want to do this someday….and i believe i could do it well….i am confident in my ability to create the sculpture)
.
but….i do have questions about inconsistencies i read in your posts…which i have addressed in another post. to you.
*
no big deal, judt…..i am glad you will be getting his book….wish it came in an ebook….it is very large and flappy for me to hold….as i have a frozen shoulder and it is painful for me to read it in bed….where i like to read.
very good point, Judt.
thank you Judt. this is my first renga so your point is helpful for me to try to get a grasp on the nuances. so much to remember….
yes, clytsta….a lot to remember! but also a lot to forget!
as we shed the rules from the former verse.
add this to the list:
1. in renku there is only one haiku, and it occurs in the first verse called the hokku.
.
2. in renku, (unlike renga) there is no single theme.
.
*
http://www.darlingtonrichards.com/index.php/rr00/
*
http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/renku.htm
*
correction:
*
2. in renku, (unlike rengay) there is no single theme.
Yes, it’s true there is a lot to remember. But when I first began participating in renku, it was my understanding that two cardinal rules are do not link to the hokku, and do not link to the verse before the one chosen.
Judt,
i would need to link to the hokku in order to build a renku at all while creating the second verse….the wakiku.
*
just wanted to make this clear….and not confuse others.
Interesting snag that you and Wendy address, Judt.
It made me want to try again. I appreciate all the dialogue. Thx!
Extracted from an Australian children’s song . . .
A sailor went to sea, sea, sea
To see what he could
see, see, see
Judt, re:
“as I now read it, ‘returns’ is the link to ‘give and take.’ So if we link to that, isn’t it a backlink?”
.
By “if we link to that”, do you mean if we link to the word “returns” ? If so, then no, I don’t think that would be a ‘backlink’. ‘Returns’ is in the verse we are appropriately linking to, and not in the uchikoshi.
.
Certainly, if you mean would it be ‘backlink’ if we linked to “give & take” (in the uchikoshi/ last but one, Clysta’s verse) the linking would be inappropriate because it would breach the ever-forward momentum of a renku.
.
But there are issues about the concept of “backlink”.
.
I think it’d be useful if you scrolled down this piece by John Carley – https://poetrysociety.org.nz/affiliates/haiku-nz/haiku-poems-articles/archived-articles/renku-a-snippet-of-snails/
.
to the header: ‘ Backlink 13″, which begins:
.
“There is a lot of misunderstanding about repetition in renku. In English the term most frequently seen is ‘backlink’. This term is unfortunate in two important regards. . . . ” & etc.
.
Thank you, Lorin! I will indeed read it. That’s what I was hoping for, some guidance.
Thank you for the link Lorin. Quite a read. Will need to be read again to be fully appreciated. Is the book you feature in “the little-book of yotsumono “ still in print?
Best wishes
Yes, Robert, I believe it’s still available from Darlington-Richards Press. The same publisher as for Carley’s ‘Renku Reckoner’.
.
http://www.darlingtonrichards.com/index.php/the-little-book-of-yotsumonos/
Thank you Lorin.
One for the list
Working my way through John Carley’s renku reckonr and Hansha and Clayton’s book at the moment.
Take care.
Thanks so much, Lorin. I wish I had read his work a couple of years ago!!
After reading it, I feel certain that my verses do backlink. They have been fundamentally about movement ‘out and back.’ The throw and return are out and back; and give and take are out and back.
If I understood it correctly, Carley said that a verse should have no connection whatever to the last but one verse, except for maybe the season. So I am mentally withdrawing the previous ones and will start over.
This has been a really good learning experience for me! Thanks again.
Thanks Wendy.
Posted with my mobile I did not pick it up.
.
the cat
a tad pensive
in its bed
Ignore the last post Judt.
Thanks so much for this link, Lorin. I look forward to reading it!
Thanks for this informative link, Lorin. I especially appreciate being pointed towards scholarship, rather than being left to founder in the back-and-forth of more speculative debate. I’ve bookmarked the page, so that I can return to it when I have a bit more time!
*
~Autumn
*
*
a flurry
of rosellas
over the hedge
*
besides guiding notes,
conductors also sketch
steeples in the air
#########
grief and
butterflies both have
a cocoon stage
combining two of dan’s absolutly, fantastic verses into one:
those steeples sketched
in air become oils
of grandpa’s arks
Dan, I found your”….grief and butterflies…” profound.
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns — Kanjini Devi
.
before applause
we wait until the last note
fully fades away
.
Clysta, this is beautiful. Reminded me of how much I miss live concerts and dance performances.
wind-blown leaves
remind him of letters
trembling in her hand
trying again
with cures
that failed
*
repurposing remedies
that missed
the mark
*
catching
the smirk
behind the mask
*
finding themselves
at cross purposes
again
*
too often
at cross
purposes
*
I like ‘missed the mark’ and ‘at cross purposes’!
.
preaching
to the choir about
our current _________
.
.
the entire world
worrying about
the current _________
.
the news about
a miraculous vaccine
have surrounded the world
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
.
losing heads
the thorns
bite back
.
bowls full
of wheat mixed
with harvester smiles
the pleasure
of sharing verses
to build renku
we revel
together
in pure delight
rabbits
hopping
here & there
Ha ha –
renku is
so much fun!
yum-yum
like chomping
carrots
.
Yes. It was a great film. The other fence wasn’t girl-proof!
.
.
Dang!!! This was written as a reply to Lorin’s comment on my post. I thought sure that’s what I did. Guess not 🥴
.
renku heart beats
by a simultaneous release
& restriction of freedoms
whoops….too many syls.:
*
renku heart beats
by the careful release
of freedoms
like this one…
thanks, clysta….glad that you may be relating to this experience, too!
*
lately, i have been experiencing strong parallels….between being in lockdown, and participation with renku.
certainly…when some behaviors can no longer take place, it helps me to focus on what i can still do…to bring satisfaction to life. in many ways, this can increase inventiveness. the same process….is repeated in renku….one fence goes up….and another one is lifted.
*
the sport of renku
is a challenging maze
for my mind
i dreamt
of all the ways
renku can flow
never
ending
dreams
*
to pick just one
from the infinite
verses of renku
Thank you for making my day brighter with your enthusiasm 🙂
rainbows
are dreams
coming true
bring an umbrella
when the shaman
rain dances
#######
durning heavy
rains grandpa’s barn
resembles an ark
#######
driving back home
counting tree shadows
on empty streets
#######
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns — Kanjini Devi
.
more witnesses
at the UFO festival
every year
.
wow! i made the longer short list – thanks 😀
one of the perks
of life –
splinters
*
a certain smell
of ocean in the desert –
or my imagination?
*
the child cottons on
and hops away
to inspect flowers
*
I would give this hand
again to have
yours in mine
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns — Kanjini Devi
.
more witnesses
turn up every year
at Roswell
… or is Roswell out, considering India? While it’s not the name of a country, it is the name of a place.
.
.
three girls following
the rabbit-proof fence
home
.
🙂 ah, you’ve seen the film, Judt.
nothing in the dead hand
that reaches
upward
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
• Kanjini Devi
the shakuhachi
refrain vibrating
through me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmRPECd9Yig
Wendy – exquisite shakuhachi music, deep bow!
Clysta and to others . . . I feel like I have jumped into the deep end.
Alison thank you for the haiku and Wendy thank you for the sounds. New to me.
Alison, i should say thank you for the verse. I have read Joan Z’s excellent overview several times, but my brain doesn’t integrate well these days…
tensing up
when he hears
the “ok, boo…”
*
waiting for the day
it all goes
bust
*
directions
mean nothing
to the wind
*
breathing in
the blue sky fills my lungs
all day long
*
outside
a bronze bell
green with ghosts
love these all !!!!! jonathan
*
would love to know the process of linking you used in creating these wonderful verses…..if you care to share.
Jonathan, loved “…a bronze bell green with ghosts”!
the wind found
their fate
beyond one answer
the corner of the mirror
where she keeps
her favorite photos
*
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
*
the refuse sorted
ready for collection
paper plastic glass
*
the ‘missing’ poster
of a much loved cat
tied to a lamppost
*
the rescue centre
releases a hedgehog
into the wild
i thought of hedgehogs in the night 🙂
kudos andrew for your mention in last month’s kukai!!!!!!
*
i was not a contestant, but i did vote!
in answer
to each question
she hesitates
bursting with pride
at remembering
the way home
*
love
and memory
wiped clean
*
like love
refusing to be
discarded
love your first one! mikels…and welcome!
the others….are nice verses, too…..but marion’s verse contains the word “love”…..so this could disqualify…verse 2 and verse 3.
thanks for sharing…..want to hear more of your offerings.
there goes
another
of his nine lives
*
coming from
a family
of master fletchers
*
coming from
a long line of accomplished
archers
*
If too close to arrows–maybe this:
*
coming from a family
of prodigious
anglers
*
ducks leaving
chevrons as they paddle
downstream
*
he offers his arm
as he promises
to escort her
*
always
looking
for an angle
*
Or
always looking
for
another angle
*
Congrats Kanjini
****************
used to be
there was safety
in numbers
***************
with an eye
to the sky and an
ear to the ground
***************
a sorted chess game
between hunter and
the hunted
Thanks, Michael 🙂
.
Congratulations, Kanjini!
I too enjoyed the spareness of your verse. I especially like your use of ‘when skillfully.’ It suggests taking personal responsibility for outcomes…also, the patience and effort that goes into developing real skill. Nicely done!
.
Judt
Thank you, Judt!, Your appreciation is much appreciated 🙂
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
~~
in lockdown days
meticulous endeavours
deserve our applause
~
inside the chook pen
a hungry dingo creates
all hell
~
glazing perfection
distinguishes
this young potter
~
Barbara, only tonight I realized the ‘potter’ link. Very nice!
Thank you, Judt.
peace and love
B
Love your use of “chook pen,” Barbara. Coupled with dingo, it really creates a strong, specific visual setting in which the frenzied action plays out. This memorable verse is the embodiment of skillful.
*
~Autumn
Thank you, Autumn.
Sadly, I have lost several chickens to the dingo.
Peace and Love
B
violin –
bow applied for melody
going up and down
recycling
papers and clothes-carton
and cardboard box
after exam
a call for re exam
again
Dear john Stevenson, thanks for this link, my thanks to Patricia for including mine in the potential list . very encouraging indeed.
with regards
S.Radhamani
governments
playing games of risk
with the real world
out from the shadows
my thoughts
on leadership
.
When you read the current press, you realise how the two worlds operate.
At these times I tend to turn the volume up on Pink Floyd’s, The fletcher memorial,
thanks for sharing your thoughts, rob…. and i enjoyed the floyd video/and the posts below it on youtube
he left
a legacy of footprints
in the sand
####$
dry wishing
wells have shriveled
echos
######
surely someone
whispers abracadabra
in cocoons
always enjoying what you bring into this group, dan!
and just pointing out that, “abracadabra” in your last verse, backlinks to betty’s verse…and would be disqualified.
because:
*
uchikoshi (regression, or leap-over verse)
Here are some gift links to renku information:
*
http://www.darlingtonrichards.com/index.php/rr00/
*
http://www.baymoon.com/~ariadne/form/renku.htm
*
many thanks Wendy, these were helpful especially the baymoon link, have a nice weekend.
sad puppets
are the ones that see
the strings
#######
fallen
angels pawn their
halos
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns – Kanjini Devi
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns – Kanjini Devi
.
the bush nurse
on stand-by to stitch
head wounds
.
This made me laugh out loud, Lorin. And then clap my hands over my mouth, as it is probably not something I should find humorous. It just reminded me of the mom in A Christmas Story telling her son he couldn’t have a bee bee gun because he’d shoot his eye out. My daughters like to call me a You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out mom. And I’ve joked many a time myself that if I were a Superhero, I’d be Worse Case Scenario Woman.
*
Anyway, all that to explain why I found your verse not only apt, but funny. Head wounds are definitely one of the worst case boomerang scenarios…
*
~Autumn
the persistence
of the lone
ranger
*
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/12536/court-ordered-unmasking-lone-ranger
ooops! proper nouns
&&&&&&&&&
the persistence
of the unmasked
man
*
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/12536/court-ordered-unmasking-lone-ranger
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns Kanjini Devi
.
the statue
of that sea captain always
white with gull poop
.
good one, lorin
*
the vice president
is a wax statue
of himself
On 2nd thought, that “always” could go.
.
the statue
of that famous sea captain
white with gull poop
.
leapfrogging
is child’s play
in a room with no adults
Oops a room…withdraw
leapfrogging
Is child’s play
in open space
mayo clinic rules
& how pence thinks
they’re chopped liver
oh sorry….. the mayo and the “pence” are proper nouns.
*
health clinic rules
& how the vice president
thinks they’re chopped liver
breaking up the long afternoons
sparring
with his punching bag
*
timing it so she’s
there just as the tide
begins to rise
*
her pen is always ready
for when ideas
just come
*
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns Kanjini Devi
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns Kanjini Devi
.
above the graffiti
ochre handprints
fading
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
*
Kanjini Devi
snruter nworht ylluflliks nehw
gnaremoob a
*
iveD inijnaK
Very skillful Wendy
thanks! funny-skillful- clysta and dan, thanks………i spell better…..backwards….LOL!!!!
Reminds me of Dylan Thomas. Spelling an adopted welsh fishing town backwards.
Llareggub
Well done Wendy.
Innovative!
dan, thanks………i spell better…..backwards….LOL!!!!
*
this is not a new technique by any means…..but it matters when/where/how/and /how long/ it is used. It is my judgement that it was meaningfully employed here.
oooops! iveD inijnaK is a nuon reporp!!!!!
*
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
*
Kanjini Devi
*
snruter nworht
ylluflliks nehw
gnaremoob a
*
Ha ha, good one – Wendy!
thanks, kanjini, yes it is so much fun to see all the ways
we respond to your renku verse…..but please…..still contribute more of your wonderful words for me to read!!!!
*
back atcha
are the comforting words
if a pillow talked
You’re so sweet, Wendy. Some verses came to me in the night , so I shall put pen to paper, and see what happens 🙂
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
.
Kanjini Devi
*
all the smiles
& frowns
in the onion cuttings
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns – Kanjini Devi
.
during lockdown
dinner plates sometimes
become missiles
I wonder if dinner plates count as “small flying objects”?
.
hmmm… probably, if they become missiles. Duh!
lorin,
.
doesn’t that go under the category of:
.
ufa
.
unidentified flying anger?????
LOL!!!!
1st hr lockdown
some of her best china goes
missing in action
1st hr lockdown
some of her bone china goes
missing in action
*
“best” backlinks to dan’s moon verse.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns – Kanjini Devi
.
our jackaroo
points to the scar above
his left eyebrow
.
prodigal
sons come in through
the back door
######
hometown
canaries never change
their tune
########
I really like your prodigal sons verse, Dan–an unexpected take on “returns.” I also find the reference to The Prodigal Son strikingly relevant right now, although I’d have a hard time putting into words why exactly…something about welcoming that which appears as though it should be unwelcome. I guess I’m seeing the gift in this virus…weird as that may sound. Lowered carbon output, renewed family bonds, the proverbial sound of silence, etc.
*
~Autumn
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
.
Kanjini Devi
*
can we trust
the testing strategies
to flatten the curve
*
locked down & wondering
where the dog’s toys are
in the power outage
*
turning around
refugees’ blood
rich with antibodies
refugees’ blood
rich
with antibodies
the trust
in testing strategies
to flatten curves
squeaks in the dark
where the dog’s toys are
during a power outage
patricia…..you never cease to keep me in wonderful, suspense, as you unfurl your choices, surprise me and guide me with your picks, and show me your wide appreciation and acceptance of liberal thinking and topics. kudos to you for doing a consistently, creative method of “show” teaching.
Well said Wendy.
thanks clysta….glad to see you recognize & appreciate patricia’s talents, also….as i do, too!
Congratulations, Kanjini. 🙂 Nice connection with the previous verse, from physics to aerodynamics. ( It’s all about the spin.) Cheers from across the ditch.
Thanks, Lorin 🙂
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns Kanjini Devi
.
a shy albatross
watches as a UFO
veers somewhere else
.
the lyrebird keeps
its song and dance
down to earth
.
the kookaburra
cracks up at
its own echo
.
yeah! kanjini…..a perfect verse for turning the topic in our rendezvous renku, eager to see what comes back from this one!
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
.
Kanjini Devi
can we trust
the testing strategies
to flatten the curve
Thanks, Wendy! It’s exciting to read responding verses 🙂
old people wish
pleasure was stored in their bodies
just like fat
######
bluegrass and even
rap sounds better at
thirty thousand feet
fiddles are for dancing
but violins step in
when it’s time to weep
re: your first verse, dan:
old people wish
pleasure was stored in their bodies
just like fat
*
BM or cellular memory is not limited to elderly or any age of people( and all living things), and also not limited to negative/painful or/traumatic experiences….for those who believe….as i do…. these storage cells can hold (and be triggered off from) wonderful/happy/blissful experiences and the whole range of life history as well as, prior to birth, and prior lives.
*
as far as this renku….the subject may backlink to betty’s and marion’s verse… and the science in clysta’s verse…molecular possibility.
Kanjini, Congratulations, I look forward to more of your haiku. I enjoyed the give and take in the conversation about other throwing/returning tools. All together now. Patricia your comments continue to enlighten.
Thank you Clysta, your charmed quarks was very inspiring! I’m still stoked, so sitting on the sidelines for now 🙂
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
.
somewhere
in the earths orbit
a mask wearing rock
.
home late the dog
licks my plate
around the floor
.
his raised eyebrow
suggests
a new beginning
.
her throw down
takes its own form
on the potters wheel
.
hooked on
the eels
slippery notes
.
the croupier waits
on my answer
to stick or twist
~~~
his stupid joke
backfires
on him
Your second verse has a nice bite to it, Mark. I like that you are playing on “skillfully” by presenting its opposite–and skillfully!
*
~Autumn
I like the preciseness of your words, Kanjini.
.
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
.
Kanjini Devi
.
schools closed
yet basketball hoops
in use at parks
Thank you, Carmen 🙂
I would like to enter a verse for consideration.
the base on lockdown
he skypes home each afternoon
until his discharge
Thank you.
Hi Carol. Welcome to the fun, Clysta
Hi Clysta. I loved your verse!!
Thank you for choosing my boomerang verse, Patricia ! We’re in level 3 lockdown in NZ at the moment, which basically is level 4 with takeaways for us. Have a great week 🙂
open to good fortune
they return
to what was freely given
Patricia,
Apologies – I should not have used the word “return”. Please consider this revision:
open to good fortune
they arrive with
what was freely given
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns Kanjini Devi
*
is life one long
game
of catch up?
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns
Kanjini Devi
He’s a big fighter
who even plays sea war
in the hot bath tub
.
Congratulations Kanjini.
Thank you Patricia for picking up on some of mine.
Rob
Thanks Robert 🙂
Complimenti Kanjini !!
Grazie per la menzione dei miei versi Patricia 🙂
Kia ora Angiola!
Congrats Kanjini, boomerangs are awesome and thank you Patricia for encouraging us to be whimsical, daring, and to let our imagination loose!
Thank you Dan, I loved all your verses in the long list!
track stars
they find themselves
running in circles
Congrats Kanjini! And thanks Patricia for your kind words about my verse, which by the way, was inspired as a humorous response to Autumn Noelle Hall’s cheeky:
.
have you seen the size
of his Hadron Collider?!
*
Autumn
.
oh! oh! oh! oooohhh god!
particle
.
princess k
Thanks, princess!
I don’t think I got a chance to tell you how outstandingly funny your oh! oh! oh! response was, princess k–so glad it made Patricia’s list of Top Pics!!
*
Congrats and thanks for seeing the wit and raising it! To laughter!!
*
Autumn
Congratulations Kanjini well done.
.
Thanks for the mention of my verses Patricia, appreciated.
Thanks, Carol! All the best with your verses this week 🙂
a boomerang
when skillfully thrown returns Kanjini Devi
*
three cheer for this one! Congratulations, Kanjini.
And thanks to Patricia and all who continue making this the highlight of my days.
*
jumping back
from the puddle
just in time
*
sick once
is no guarantee
of not getting it again
*
too slow
to follow
her quick comebacks
*
her comeback
too fast
to follow
*
Thank you Laurie! Participating in renku is such a highlight for me too 🙂