skip to Main Content

The Renku Sessions: Rendezvous – Week 3

 

renku_300

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

  1. faded number
    on button seven
    of the Remote Control

    +++++++++++++++++++

    coVID 19
    the useless ringing
    of a phone

  2. 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

  3. grandmother’s eye roll
    at the turntablist’s
    youtube video
    – Betty Shropshire

  4. 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

    1. 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

      1. 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.

  5. 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!)

    1. Guess, to avoid another “ing” sound, it could be …
      .
      my husband
      advises the football team
      from his man cave

  6. most laundromats
    are well-worn paths
    to rock-filled rivers
    #####
    ####
    dinner with the chief,
    I bet having six
    wives sucks

  7. 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
    *

      1. dan,
        .
        is your great
        stand alone haiku
        renku verse ?

        .
        don’t jump
        the ship
        that keeps you afloat

    1. or, to change up the tense:

      even the studs
      on her earrings
      will fetch a reward

  8. 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
    *

  9. drought, cloud
    shadows flowing down
    the riverbed
    ####
    rainfall, time
    for dancing, termites in the
    frying pan

  10. attending a lecture
    both spoken
    and signed
    *
    simultaneous
    interpreters
    not missing a beat
    *

  11. touchdown
    another barf bag for my
    collection
    #####
    deer bottoms
    are even whiter
    than mine
    ####
    our family
    reunions take place
    at funerals

  12. 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

    1. 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

  13. 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

  14. patchouli
    lingers in the wake
    of her passing
    *
    *
    teenage boys
    play basketball
    without shirts
    *
    *
    feeling the eyes
    of the construction workers
    as I pass

  15. comb and paper
    work when you lose your
    harmonica
    #####
    fans and windchimes
    work when you lose your
    harmonica

  16. mamba sighting
    people gather to count
    the chickens
    ####
    food market
    a dropped bananas
    skating rink

      1. Third attempt
        .
        an unimpressed builder
        cutting short
        his whistle
        .
        Happy woman’s day ladies.

  17. 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

    1. 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.

      1. 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

      2. 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

        1. 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

          1. 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! 🙂

    2. 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.

      1. 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

  18. an antiphonal greeting
    of one wolf to the others
    *
    please hold
    your call is important
    to us

  19. 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
    *

    1. 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

      1. Thank you, Autumn! I must say your Wall Street dirge is right on the mark in every detail!

  20. 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
    *

  21. 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
    *

    1. 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

      1. Thanks Autumn, was not familiar with the 1928 campaign. They say, they’ll say anything for votes. 🙂

  22. early morn,
    falling coconut
    alarm clocks
    #####
    bus dust clouds,
    sitting next to baskets
    of chickens

  23. 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)

    1. edit:
      a familiar
      growls in my head
      ”What happens to the heart”

      Quote a song title by Leonard Cohen

      1. 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 🙂

        1. 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!

      1. 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

        1. 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.

        2. 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.

          1. “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

      2. coughing up
        for the sick and helpless
        in the pews
        .
        You are on a roll with these Wendy.

        1. 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.

  24. 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

  25. 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
    .

    .

    .

  26. waving
    not hugging
    as infections continue
    *
    appropriately
    choked up
    at the hail-and-farewell
    *

  27. 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

    1. 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

  28. *
    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

    *

      1. darn!! that “one” please ignore!!
        revising to:

        alpha and omega
        drawn on
        some greek statue

  29. Savannah sunset,
    singing those bottom
    of the food chain blues
    #####
    Watering hole,
    Storks jump in, splash
    then silence again

    1. Robert–what a great love verse. Please resubmit when the time for a love verse is called for 🙂

  30. 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

  31. 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

    1. 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.

      1. 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.

  32. All remains quiet
    on the chessboard
    of the cultural centre

    no man’s land unbreached
    on the chessboard
    of the cultural centre

  33. 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
    *

  34. snails look
    funny climbing Mount
    Kilimanjaro
    ####
    rifles, taller
    than the twelve year
    old soldiers

  35. 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

  36. 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
    *

  37. 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
    *

  38. Thank you!
    I’m loving the new linking verses that are popping up, yours among them. 🕊
    .
    Mary

    1. Well–your verse gave a lot of ways to go! So much in so few words. Thanks!

  39. 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
    *

  40. an antiphonal greeting
    of one wolf to the others

    Mary Kendall
    *
    swallowing whole
    what he finds
    in the dumpster
    *

  41. 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
    *

  42. an antiphonal greeting
    of one wolf to the others

    Mary Kendall
    *
    the mixed success
    of rewilding
    the parks
    *
    news of another
    rewilding
    success
    *

  43. 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

  44. 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

    1. 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

  45. Congrats on a lovely second verse, Mary.
    *
    hugs
    and hand shakes
    strongly discouraged

    1. Thanks, Wendy! Yours is certainly very timely and much on our minds. 😊
      .
      Mary 🕊

        1. 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.

  46. Congratulations and well done, Mary.
    A marvellous choice, Patricia.
    Not only a beautiful image but an equally wonderful sound.

  47. 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

  48. 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

  49. Welding sparks
    attract lonely
    fireflies
    #####
    Faith’s carrying
    an umbrella when
    my wife rain dances
    #####
    Redwood trees
    live for centuries
    by sipping on fog

    1. 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

          1. 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.

  50. an antiphonal greeting
    of one wolf to the others

    Mary Kendall
    *
    introducing his grandfather
    who plays
    the bassoon
    *

  51. 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

    1. 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

      1. 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

  52. 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

  53. a welcoming addition to the renku….mary and patricia.

    an antiphonal greeting
    of one wolf to the others Mary Kendall

      1. yours is very special, mary….hope i do it justice.
        glad you enjoyed the rainbow….did you get to take the test?

  54. an antiphonal greeting
    of one wolf to the others
    – Mary Kendall

    his brass key
    winding the clock
    up again
    – Betty Shropshire

  55. 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
    .

    1. 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 🙂

      1. 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. 🙂

        1. 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 🙂

  56. Awesome, Mary!!

    an antiphonal greeting
    of one wolf to the others
    -Mary Kendall

    the catch
    of the day
    written in chalk

  57. 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
    *

  58. 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

  59. an antiphonal greeting
    of one wolf to the others

    Mary Kendall
    *
    everyone chimes in
    to applaud the choice
    and sing her praises
    *

    1. 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

        1. Thank you Mary.
          I get the enjoyment from bouncing off of others like yourself.
          .
          forever the optimist
          a spider
          bags a fly

    2. 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

Comments are closed.

Back To Top