The Renku Sessions: Rendezvous – Week 3
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—Greetings from Northern California. We have spring outside my window. A large flock of robins and cedar waxwings are feasting on the pyracantha berries in my backyard; then they fly to the front yard to drink from a puddle of water left when my husband watered the geraniums.
But in our renku we are still in winter. Thank you for all your wonderful contributions. I am always struck by the fact that our minds, being the pattern-making machines that they are, are able to unconsciously discover similarities in a wide range of subjects. Early on last week I saw that people were picking up and repeating the word snow. Something I failed to notice early, but eventually tumbled to, were objects that performed similarly to the sauna: pot-bellied stove, kotatsu, hibachi, wood stove, fire, hearth, fireplace, etc. There were quite a few verses using these objects to gather around just like people gather around the heated rocks in a sauna—verses which I liked, but sadly had to rule out as being too similar to the sauna.
The verses which I considered for the second verse are:
icicles lengthen
to our game of dominoes
*
polar bear cubs’ wobbly
foray into the light
*
a cold crow leaves one more
piece of foil
Betty Shropshire
an owl’s reflection
i mistake for mine
*
grabbing every colour
of the winter rainbow
Wendy C. Bialek
a dazzle of northern lights
over the iced-in lake
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
secreting away
the Selkie’s fur coat
*
the smell of wet wool
and wassail
Autumn Noelle Hall
the bare branches
covered in frost
*
grilling what was caught
from the bob-house
M. R. Defibaugh
early rising crocus stems
pierce the wilderness
Robert Kingston
rosy-cheeked and laughing
we race in from the cold
Pauline O’Carolan
five kinds of meat
stew in the bigos
Agnes Eva Savich
song from the chickadees
busy at the feeder
Andrew Shimield
the host and his dog
in matching sweaters
*
ice slowly withdrawing
to the edges of the pond
*
between us naming all six
of the winter circle stars
Laurie Greer
white hare tracks
crisscross the meadow
Mary Stevens
Slip-sliding across the floor
in our woolly socks
Paula Fisher
she claps her mittens
in a warm welcome
Nancy Liddle
this icy landscape carved
by glaciers and giants
Marion Clarke
melting an icicle
to refill the kettle
Marilyn Potter
fresh flannel sheets
for every guest room
Michael Henry Lee
a pack rat peers out
of the wood pile
Carole MacRury
the kitchen smells of bread
and hot cocoa
Polona Oblak
I finally winnowed this list down to these seven. I believe any one of the following would make an outstanding second verse:
polar bear cubs’ wobbly
foray into the light
Betty Shropshire
grabbing every colour
of the winter rainbow
Wendy C. Bialek
a dazzle of northern lights
over the iced-in lake
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
secreting away
the Selkie’s fur coat
Autumn Noelle Hall
grilling what was caught
from the bob-house
M. R. Defibaugh
the host and his dog
in matching sweaters
Laurie Greer
Having to choose just one, I decided on Mary Kendall’s wolves.
**********************************************
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
**********************************************
And now for our third verse (daisan). This verse should link to the second verse, but have no connection to the first verse. The requirements for this verse are:
- a three-line poem of seventeen syllables or less
- an image with no season; avoid four-legged animals for at least the next six verses.
- 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, March 10 (California time zone). On Thursday, March 12, there will be a new posting containing my selection for the third verse, some discussion of other appreciated verses, and instructions for composing the fourth verse.
I look forward to seeing your offers!
Patricia
This Post Has 212 Comments
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the howls
of the blacks & how they’r
heard in their votes
.
‘late entry’
faded number
on button seven
of the Remote Control
+++++++++++++++++++
coVID 19
the useless ringing
of a phone
nice angiola, the first one is a real keeper.
another version
.
a little lagniappe
left with the bag
from the bagel man
Thanks for including me in your final selections, Patricia! I’m a bit late to the party this week, so my offerings may or may not be too inspiring. I sometimes am called M. F. Defibaugh, as I was in this week’s posting, but M. R. is more appropriate for here, probably lol…
*
his rendition
left us wondering if
Howl was poetry
***
the cashier flirted
with a head of lettuce
by swiping left and right
***
the cub scouts first taught me
how to enjoy
playing with fire
my apologies for the mistake in your initials . . . pjm
grandmother’s eye roll
at the turntablist’s
youtube video
– Betty Shropshire
a little something extra
left with a check
for the bagel baker
market dealers
dragging each other down
yelling and screaming
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
.
“floating across
the tops of cities
contemplating jazz”
.
Lines from the poem “Howl” by Alan Ginsberg
Oops— Allen!
marion and matt…i love ginsberg, too!
.
here are my mosaic pickings and edits from his, “HOWL” page 11 and 16. late entry:
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
.
Mary Kendall
*
yacketayakking
all night scribbles today’s
stanzas of gibberish
Love it, Wendy— to be completely honest, I don’t know “Howl” but because I knew it was Ginsberg’s poem and the connection with wolves i went through it to find some suitable lines. After posting I thought I might be out of the running, though, because jazz is a summer kigo, but perhaps it doesn’t count as it’s a quote.
everyone stops
when the new girl
starts coughing
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna
.
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
.
my husband
advising the team
from his man cave
.
(Hahaha — he won’t be too pleased if he ever reads this!)
Guess, to avoid another “ing” sound, it could be …
.
my husband
advises the football team
from his man cave
most laundromats
are well-worn paths
to rock-filled rivers
#####
####
dinner with the chief,
I bet having six
wives sucks
a wrecking ball
through the United Nations
flag display
a lone bat
spoiling fruit
in the promise land
a needle
weaves in and out
of the label
a single syntactical structure flowing over three lines! I’m new to this :-
*
back to the bank
random musings
and memories
*
*
back to the bank
for dollars
and sense
*
my ringtone
the spacetime chirp
of colliding black holes
colliding is probably too close to rendezvous.
empty subway
missing the same strangers I see
everyday
great haiku, dan!
thanks wendy, have a wonderful week!
dan,
.
is your great
stand alone haiku
renku verse ?
.
don’t jump
the ship
that keeps you afloat
correction dan,
.
is your great
stand alone senryu
a renku verse ?
correction….great senryu!, dan.
even the studs
on her earrings
fetch a reward
– Betty Shropshire
or, to change up the tense:
•
even the studs
on her earrings
will fetch a reward
or:
even the studs
for her earrings
will fetch a reward
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
packing then
unpacking
for the trip of a lifetime
*
conversation stalls
as the EMS
passes
*
drought, cloud
shadows flowing down
the riverbed
####
rainfall, time
for dancing, termites in the
frying pan
no hands on
the ouija board’s
moving planchette
hello can you
hear me can you hear me
now?
mother’s ghost
an extra ingredient
at the potters wheel
attending a lecture
both spoken
and signed
*
simultaneous
interpreters
not missing a beat
*
touchdown
another barf bag for my
collection
#####
deer bottoms
are even whiter
than mine
####
our family
reunions take place
at funerals
pinky promise
for these times
are a changin’
– Betty Shropshire
or:
•
pinky promise
for “the times
they are a-changin'”
Perfect second verse, Mary Kendall!
.
Great choice, Patricia!
.
My offerings for the third verse:
.
.
not recognizing
myself
in the True Mirror
.
.
she dives
into her reflection
in the indoor pool
.
.
different-sized spoons
not spooning
in the drawer
.
.
my face
upside down
inside the polished spoon
Your third one brought a smile Mary.
.
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
.
fairground attraction
choosing a best friend
in the hall of mirrors
.
.
.
all shapes and sizes
available in free
in the hall of mirrors
Cool, Rob! Love them both!
Thanks so much, Mary. 🙂 I love your two spoon verses, especially the different-sized spoons.
.
Mary 🙂
Thanks!
Congratulations, Mary. 🙂
.
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
.
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
.
Congratulations, Mary. 🙂
.
a cruise ship
flying L for Lima
on the news apps
.
– Lorin
Thank you, Lorin. I’m enjoying your entries very much.
.
Mary 🙂
from across the table
dealing the pack of cards
my heart’s not in it
at the church
a constant flow of change
in the charities box
patchouli
lingers in the wake
of her passing
*
*
teenage boys
play basketball
without shirts
*
*
feeling the eyes
of the construction workers
as I pass
comb and paper
work when you lose your
harmonica
#####
fans and windchimes
work when you lose your
harmonica
self-help books
still on loan
from the library
mamba sighting
people gather to count
the chickens
####
food market
a dropped bananas
skating rink
not impressed
the builder
cutting short his whistle
.
Revision
un impressed builder
cutting short
his whistle
Third attempt
.
an unimpressed builder
cutting short
his whistle
.
Happy woman’s day ladies.
Congratulations to Mary for offering such a wonderfully wolfish wakiku! Many thanks, Patricia, for including my verses on your short list; I am particularly tickled that my Selkie swam as far as your short-short list—woohoo!! I was also intrigued by and admiring of Robert’s rising crocus stems, Agnes’ five-meat bigos, Laurie’s matching sweaters, Marion’s glaciers and giants and Marilyn’s icicle tea. Amazing to consider all the possible tangents a renku could take!
*
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna
*
Sally Biggar
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
*
Mary Kendall
*
remember when
secrets were shared
via soup cans and string?
*
drawing emojis
on the ping pong balls
with sharpie markers
*
or (to eliminate “ing”)
*
sharpie-drawn
emojis
on the ping-pong balls
*
blind bellows
of Marco…Polo
across the pool
*
my house plants
and I
in the carbon trade
*
ears deaf
to the Earth’s drummed
S.O.S.
*
And one more, which I know violates all kinds of convention in terms of breaks and rhyming, etc. But given the concepts of wolves and trading, I just couldn’t resist:
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
*
Mary Kendall
*
ah, Wallstreet
will you never see?
the bell tolls for thee…
*
~Autumn
Hi Autumn, thank you! And yes, I too enjoy the weekly tussle.
I’m sure many others will agree that you help set the bar high.
.
ears deaf
to the Earth’s drummed
S.O.S
.
I like this very much.
Many thanks, Robert–I think I’ll put those kind words in my keepsake box…
*
I feel as though we all nudge one another upwards and onwards here. A rare gift, and one I appreciate daily.
*
~Autumn
Ditto to that
I like “ears deaf“ also, Autumn. Although “deaf” almost rhymes with “SOS” … in my accent anyway! 🙂
.
Thanks for the vote of confidence for my giants and glaciers verse. The “Mourne Country” is reknowned for both!
.
marion
Hi, Marion!
*
“ears deaf” and “S.O.S.” almost rhyme in my accent, too–but based on some renku judges comments a friend shared with me this week, near-rhyme/slant-rhyme are sometimes acceptable. I just follow wherever the words take me! I always figure it can’t hurt to throw something out there and see what happens–learn the ropes by climbing them, so to speak!
*
Just spent some time “touring” the Mourne Mountains via online imagery–breathtakingly beautiful country! and–I realize this probably goes without saying, whenever one is talking about Ireland–but SOOOOOO green!! We rarely ever see that kind of green here in my mountains. Because I love–and feel drawn to–mountains so much, I treasure the thought that each country of my heritage (of which Ireland is nearest my heart) is gifted with magical mountain chains. Maybe it’s all down to my DNA… 😀
*
Say hello to those Giants for me!
*
~Autumn
Oh yes, Autumn, it was just an observation and wouldn’t stop me putting it forward either 🙂 I almost always throw in a too close to the mark verse (or even totally wrong because I’ve missed an obvious link!)
.
By coincidence, I shared photos of a walk in the Mournes last Sunday on my FB page, I could could send you a couple via email. This coast is indeed a special place that I only realised after living away from here for many years.
.
The giant Finn McCool said “hi” back! 🙂
Autumn, Ha, ha, that last verse is a good laugh (in the renku, not in real life). Thanks for your generous comments. I really loved your Selkie verse…and I agree there were so many splendid choices and ways this renku could go.
Thank YOU, Mary! Guess this renku is a good a place as any to seek some comic relief from reality.
*
Wanted to share that we have a couple Wolf rescue organizations here in my immediate area. A friend and I were lucky enough to run into a small group walking two of their ambassador wolves on the hiking trails at Garden of the Gods. When we approached the handlers to say hello, the bigger of the two wolves came up to me and nuzzled the homemade oatmeal cookie I’d forgotten I was holding right out of my hand! Then he sat down in front of me and ate it bit by bit, just like my puppy does! When I asked him if it was a good cookie, he actually laid down and ROLLED OVER ON HIS BACK to let me pet his belly!!! I could NOT believe it!! His coat was SOOOOO thick and wooly, I could not even wriggle my fingers through it. It was AMAZING–to be THAT close to a wolf big enough to have eaten me for a snack, and to be giving him belly rubs instead. Crazy-cool… Oh, and the handlers had them howl back and forth with the group at one point–your verse is a wonderful capture of that moment!
*
~Autumn
they congregate
online with sing
along prayers
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
*
please hold
your call is important
to us
delaying a shipful
of sick passengers and
he calls them numbers
delaying
transmission of numbers
not disease
in anthill cathedrals
servants gather to force
feed their queen
bottled wines
and cordials
and unopened decks
– Betty Shropshire
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
a propensity
for quoting
the 23rd psalm
*
ranking the psalms
by the number
of retweets
*
a propensity
for quoting
the 23rd psalm
*
Laure Greer
*
This absolutely cracked me up–particularly, in light of Mary’s wolves, the oblique reference to We the People being sheep (inherent in “the Lord is my Shepherd…). LOVE the word “propensity” here, too. AND the notion of the political “echo chamber” that is the Twitterverse. Very clever…and topical!!
*
Autumn
Thank you, Autumn! I must say your Wall Street dirge is right on the mark in every detail!
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
a packed house
for the all-you-can-eat
brunch buffet
*
still packing it in
as they close
the buffet
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
a heated debate
over gray
vs grey
*
is “heated” too close to the sauna?
*
or:
the jury still out
on gray
vs grey
*
still no final word
on gray
vs grey
*
something about bones
and what’s left
of the chicken
.
Love this one, Robert. It is at once funny, clever and sad. Puts me in mind of Hoover’s broken promise, “A chicken in every pot.”
*
“…what’s left of the chicken…” INDEED!
*
~Autumn
Thanks Autumn, was not familiar with the 1928 campaign. They say, they’ll say anything for votes. 🙂
each night by
candlelight, my wife deletes
words from my eulogy
early morn,
falling coconut
alarm clocks
#####
bus dust clouds,
sitting next to baskets
of chickens
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
– Mary Kendall
a familiar growl in my head
this morning …
“What happens to the heart”
(Quote by Leonard Cohen)
edit:
a familiar
growls in my head
”What happens to the heart”
Quote a song title by Leonard Cohen
window cleaner’s whistle
rises higher
with the wind
nice one, carol!
Thank you, Wendy 🙂
I’ll be so happy when I have more time to comment on more verses.
Must say I did like your verse in the last session mentioning ‘chop sticks’ a right ‘ol knees-up 🙂
this renku is a longer one…than last….hopefully that will give you time to respond as you wish….carol…
thank you for reading that verse and your kind words on it.
that seems like a year ago!
party line…
busybody listens
to every call
Nancy Brady
Huron, Ohio
even
the life buoy carries
coronavirus
no shortage
of covid-19
on shopping cart’s handle
These are both really good captures of the reality of the Corona outbreak, Wendy. I like the sardonic tone of the second version–contagion via shopping cart handles.
*
Our big box stores are completely out of toilet paper (really paper products in general). People bought obscene quantities and are now selling it for profit online. Along with masks. I have a friend who needs particulate masks for his excavating business, because he works around contaminated soils and cements. He was only able to come by one because a woman at the hardware store had hidden a few in back to keep them out of the hands of the profiteering resellers.
*
As a man in the produce department asked me yesterday, “Is this really what we’ve come to as human beings…?”
*
Good question…
*
~Autumn
Hearing of the same over here Autumn.
In some ways you cannot blame them. Prices increasing, they are not only creating but aiding whilst curing a middle ground for themselves. It is certainly a change to the way us brits would normally go about things. This said, with a government that sees everything as a commodity,is it any wonder the worlds going mad.
autumn….i agree don’t like price gouging of any kind…no matter who does it. sadly…there’s unethical behaviors…repeated by people driven by greed and that is sharply contrasted everyday when people think globally and move in generous directions driven by compassion.
.
no cap
on
capitalism
.
glad you pick up on all the nuances….and are open to sharing your wonderful comments….i love them as much as i do your verse offerings.
“no cap
on
capitalism”
*
LOVE this, Wendy! And I hope you’re right, and that acts of compassion and generosity serve to balance out those of greed and self-centeredness.
*
And Robert, you are right on–the commodification of everything–including people–is responsible for the continued erosion of our very humanity.
*
It seems in situations such as this outbreak, there are those who ask, “How can I profit?” and those who ask, “How might I help?”
*
I suspect, just based on these small verse exchanges, that man–if not most–renku poets are in the latter category. I’d like to think that our willingness to demonstrate awareness by speaking and writing openly about these issues here is a form of help in itself…
*
~Autumn
coughing up
for the sick and helpless
in the pews
.
You are on a roll with these Wendy.
yes…i am….thank you for understanding and being on the same page….robert and autumn ……and all who consider this to be of great global importance….perhaps the next pandemic we will learn to come together and nip it in the bud sooner….learn how important it is to have honest, open communication and believe in science and experts and place life first before politics and personal ambition.
free rides
on the door handles
of the uber
water bucket on
her head, eucalyptus
leaves in her hair
how to boost
your wifi signal
with tin foil
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
at the wash basins
little voices sing
twenty-second songbites
away from the motherland
a boy converting
pounds to dollars
.
a newspaper
on a hook
in the loo
.
as if no one knew
the outcome of tissues
on a journey
.
.
.
Blackheath common
how those bones rattle
beneath my feet
how these masks
filled in for women
throughout history
– Betty Shropshire
waving
not hugging
as infections continue
*
appropriately
choked up
at the hail-and-farewell
*
this time
my grandmother
failed her tart
***
behind the scenes
Little Red Riding Hood
shows his age
***
the soprano’s cue
shatters slowly
in the silence
alone on the subway
she fingers
her rosary beads
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
Mayday
toilet paper running out
corona virus
*
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna
Sally Biggar
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
baiting a string
with a safety pin, the child
plumbs the lake
OR
after you’re gone
only static on the bedside
clock-radio
*
a precocious child
first draws alpha
then omega
– Betty Shropshire
or
one precocious
child draws alpha
and omega
darn!! that “one” please ignore!!
revising to:
•
alpha and omega
drawn on
some greek statue
the deafening roar
of the World Wide Web yelling
for rare metals
Savannah sunset,
singing those bottom
of the food chain blues
#####
Watering hole,
Storks jump in, splash
then silence again
a paper aeroplane
with her number lands
on the wrong desk
Robert–what a great love verse. Please resubmit when the time for a love verse is called for 🙂
Thank you Patricia, will do.
i agree with patricia….robert, this one is a keeper!
Thank you Wendy andKanchan
This is beautiful!
lololol!
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna
.
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
*
fishing up
the transatlantic cable
for repairs
*
the scoutmaster
hands out flags to teach
the troop semaphore
Great second one Andrew.
a mightier
ping pong ball
on the table
Congratulations on the verse, Mary. I love the word ‘antiphonal’. Pauline
…
Verse 1:
…
internet trolls
lurk close
to the surface
…
Verse 2:
…
howling
with laughter
at his antics
…
Verse 3:
…
I press ‘Send’
and wait impatiently
for a response
…
Verse 4:
…
panic again
on Wall Street
as the market falls
…
Verse 5:
…
the Miserere
drifts from floor to ceiling
of the Sistine Chapel
Thanks, Pauline. I’m enjoying your verses. The last one reminds me to visiting York Minster and hearing the lovely Miserere sung in the Chapter House. The music was magical and the atmosphere was something I won’t forget.
Thank you, Mary, that’s very kind. I do love that piece of music; it must have been a wonderful experience. I went to a music festival in York some years ago and we heard concerts in some fabulous venues including the Minster.
All remains quiet
on the chessboard
of the cultural centre
no man’s land unbreached
on the chessboard
of the cultural centre
summoned to Gubbio
tamed by the broken tooth
of hard black bread
Apologies for the seasonal reference and two lines! Allow me to redeem myself:-
*
a snail
hitches a ride
all the way into town
*
*
back to the bank
random musings
… memories
*
*
he waits for his wife
in the comforts
of his car
*
snails look
funny climbing Mount
Kilimanjaro
####
rifles, taller
than the twelve year
old soldiers
drones
in formations
that hover just so
– Betty Shropshire
nevermind…revising to:
•
drones
for sale at
every outlet
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
.
trying to wiggle out
of a too-long hug
at the reunion
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
.
after sunset
the game’s response
grew louder
thanks for short listing my “mittens” 😀
*
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
*
familiar faces
we raft down
each other’s wrinkles
*
the old soul pull
aching arms
filled with friends
*
already the evening
too small for
all the tall stories
nancy liddle
Congratulations to Mary And Sally and what a wonderful start these two verses are to a renku!
*
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
*
*
after twenty years
driving away from the office
for the last time
*
thatched hut
filled with the
aroma of roasted corn
*
bare branches
snail and slugs abound
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
not a soul
in the travel section
of the local bookstore
*
sighs of silent relief
when the tourists pack up and
go
*
Thank you!
I’m loving the new linking verses that are popping up, yours among them. 🕊
.
Mary
Well–your verse gave a lot of ways to go! So much in so few words. Thanks!
startled stares
of airborne salmon
in eagle claws
American, Thai
and Kenyan roosters crow
the same language
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
the odd pirate song
thrown in
at the sea shanty sing-along
*
the drift of his shanty
from tender
to shore
*
street sweepers
once again tidy up
the litter
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
swallowing whole
what he finds
in the dumpster
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
out for blood
at the tavern’s bimonthly
bingo night
*
still on do si do
when it’s time
to promenade
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
the mixed success
of rewilding
the parks
*
news of another
rewilding
success
*
Crippled panhandler
Jumping up and sprinting
to catch a blue bus
congratulations Mary great verse
******************************
the call of the wild
recreated on
computer
*****************
searching for
just the right
emoji
***************
with diligent practice
the kanji becomes
legible
between empty bread shelves
and coming home
to my husband’s howls
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
*
limiting our exchanges
to get well wishes
in e-cards
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna
.
Sally Biggar
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
.
Mary Kendall
*
limiting our exchanges
to get well wishes
in e-cards
Of the moment Wendy!
Well done!
ty, robert!
*
practicing balance
with healthy precaution
not panic
Congrats on a lovely second verse, Mary.
*
hugs
and hand shakes
strongly discouraged
Thanks, Wendy! Yours is certainly very timely and much on our minds. 😊
.
Mary 🕊
Sorry, I meant Debbie!!
Yes, I’m in Washington State. One week ago tomorrow we hit the news. Trying to find balance in caution. So much still unknown about the virus.
stocking up
on non-perishables
for the pantry
scent of take-aways
drift from
a side-street
or
.
scent of takeaways
turn left
down a side street
in the senior home
karaoke night
starts right after lunch
Congratulations and well done, Mary.
A marvellous choice, Patricia.
Not only a beautiful image but an equally wonderful sound.
My thanks, Carol. 🕊
Congratulations, Mary.
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
*
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
*
small children
up and down the risers
at choir practice
Thank you! I love this link to sound but also shifts to movement. 🕊
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
.
a hipster
giving it large
on the red carpet
.
the shape
of a saliva laden twig
through the air
.
drinking
another punch
to aid the ego
.
enough drink to aid
another bout
of vertigo
.
as the river flows
so too another boat
laden with migrants
two tickets
to meet the all blacks
after the game
Welding sparks
attract lonely
fireflies
#####
Faith’s carrying
an umbrella when
my wife rain dances
#####
Redwood trees
live for centuries
by sipping on fog
corn knee chee WAH?
I mutter in the corridor
koan niche ee Waw?
kneel down
.
for last hug
.
through the railings
——-
wave goodbye at
.
all of the
.
tiny windows
———
look up
.
to keep tears
.
from falling
—
my hands
.
shut door, click belt
.
stay still in my lap
saying
good byes
to a family pet
*
sorry for your sudden sorrows, fern.
And I for yours, Wendy.
It was a past sorrow and I’ve had the joy of return.
mine was a long time ago, with a very sick, older dog….but even if i go to the mailbox and come back right back….my two rescued lap dogs act liked i’ve left them for years. they must have been so abandoned early in their life and carry a lot of baggage. glad yours was soon resolved.
.
i mostly wrote it to acknowledge what seemed to be a current issue with you.
Congrats Mary!
##########
Watching
my shadow
enjoying happy hour
travel magazines
in waiting rooms
look out of place
salesman who can’t
measure a crowd is
downsizing problems
salesman who can’t
measure a crowd is
downsizing pandemic
Thank you, Dan. Looking forward to your entries this week. 🙂
.
Mary
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
introducing his grandfather
who plays
the bassoon
*
Wow, what an honor to have a verse chosen for the wakiku! Thank you so very much, Patricia. As you said, all seven could have worked well. Overall, the verses last week were very beautiful and well composed. There were so many I loved. Since I have to sit this week out, I will enjoy reading the entries as they come through. Again, my thanks. I am thrilled. 🙂
.
Mary
Congratulations Mary! Your shift to hearing, from the senses of hot and cold is wonderful, and the wolves a perfect winter kigo. I can hear them howling as I sit inside the sauna! I am delighted to have a verse side-by-side with you.
Sally
Sally, it’s an honor to share this with you. Your hokku gave us all such a delightful beginning to play off of. Many thanks for leaving such a lovely comment. 🙂
.
Mary
Well done, Mary!
(I’m very late joining in this week)
.
marion
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to others
*
watching on TV
new photos from the unseen part
of the moon
*
listening to
the latest news
the boss change his face
*
strange news
cross the planet from
one pole to another
last stroke
of brush on wall-painting
up and down
simmering tea
full tumbler to another
in slow shifts
a welcoming addition to the renku….mary and patricia.
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
Thank you, Wendy. There were so many outstanding verses including yours. I loved your rainbow. 🙂
.
Mary
yours is very special, mary….hope i do it justice.
glad you enjoyed the rainbow….did you get to take the test?
and thank you, patricia, for listing two of my offers.
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
– Mary Kendall
•
his brass key
winding the clock
up again
– Betty Shropshire
rendezvous —
snowshoes piled high
outside the sauna Sally Biggar
.
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall
.
pipers …
blast out
a well known tune
.
from inside
the sound
of a waterfall
.
at the rivers edge
the artist’s own
Stendhal moment
.
from a cloudy pot
what’s left
of the landscape
.
at the rivers edge
the artist’s own
Stendhal moment
— Robert Kingston
.
Very nice 🙂
.
Thanks for your comment during the last session. Thank goodness the weather is now with us, makes life a lot easier all round, for the animals and us 🙂
Thank you Carol 🙂
.
Yes a little better. We still had a little bit of local flooding yesterday. The fields being water logged, the culverts and drainage ditches full. Sadly the roads are not bearing up too well.
.
avoiding puddles
to miss the pot holes
and all the beauty between
.
Nice to see you back. 🙂
Oh, yes, the potholes are everywhere and so dangerous, especially on the carriageways.
Fingers X for more of this lovely weather.
.
It’s so nice to have a few moments to pop in and have a read 🙂
Indeed. Don’t work too hard!
Awesome, Mary!!
•
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
-Mary Kendall
•
the catch
of the day
written in chalk
Many thanks, Betty. Your verses were among my most favorite. I look forward to reading those you submit this week. 🙂
.
Mary
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
taking turns as they read
Mrs. Dalloway
out loud
*
savoring the prose
of Mrs Dalloway
out loud
*
Laurie,
Your allusion to Virginia Woolf is priceless. I Love it!
Sally
Thanks, Sally! That’s what makes these things so much fun!
I’m with you on this. What a great idea!
Mary
congratulations
here my following verses
***
Red Riding Hood
starts a Skype call
with her granny
***
red riding hoods
and yellow boots
play in the puddles
***
a bedtime story
too scary to make
the children sleep
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
everyone chimes in
to applaud the choice
and sing her praises
*
Congratulations Mary, a very nice link to Betty’s.
Thank you Patricia for considering one of mine.
.
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
Robert, you had an amazing array of verses last week. I always enjoy reading your offerings. 🙂
.
Mary
Thank you Mary.
I get the enjoyment from bouncing off of others like yourself.
.
forever the optimist
a spider
bags a fly
Sorry Laurie. Wrong contact box
Congratulations, Mary!
an antiphonal greeting
of one wolf to the others
Mary Kendall
*
everyone chimes in
to applaud the choice
and sing her praises
*
a play bow
a nip
and a leap-away