The Renku Sessions: Side Show – Week 20 (one verse to go!)

Comments (303)

1. combing the beach
   for sea glass pebbles

2. first to come &
   last to leave the spring soi·rée

   another peek on the shade
   of our sun tea jug

   1. or

      first to come & last
      to leave the spring soirée

      another peek at the jug
      of warm sun tea

      another peek

   2. another peek on the shade
      of our sun tea jug

      wendy c. bialek

      love the wonderful anticipation wendy!

      1. I agree with Rob, Wendy…..it’s delightful!

3. in a brook’s spring rainbow
   the colour gurgle

   another version of the one below.

   1. Love this version the best, Wendy!

4. as soft as
   a child’s breath the scent
   of blossoms
   –Richard Straw 

   with neighbors we mend
   our broken fences each spring

   through the muddy road
   the caravan moves on

   to heal the world
   all we need is love

5. as soft as
   a child’s breath the scent
   of blossoms
   ——–Richard Straw
   .

   10,000 ripples of 10,000 minnows
   bless the warming river
   .

   fresh green vines
   curl around our toes
   .

   in a whisper of mist
   a sprite invites us to follow her
   .

   promises and goodbyes
   at spring commencement

   1. Jonathan, these are lovely, “…in a whisper of mist…” and “…10,000 ripples of 10, 000 minnows…” resonate for me.

   2. Jonathan, these are lovely, “…in a whisper of mist…” and “…10,000 ripples of 10, 000 minnows…” resonate for me.

   3. I love all of these, Jonathan. Especially “in a whisper of a mist”.

6. as soft as
   a child’s breath the scent
   of blossoms
   Richard Straw

   spring morning
   an ants crawls out of the earth

   1. spring mist
      ants begin the long climb up

   2. sun rise
      a light rose in the golden light

      1. sunrise
         light rose in the golden light

   3. spring morning
      an ant climbs out of the earth

7. as soft as
   a child’s breath the scent
   of blossoms

   Richard Straw 

   the spring tide brings (in)
   a faint rainbow

   faintly at first
   a spring rainbow

   1. Hi Orense, “….a spring rainbow….”. is wonderful.

8. as soft as
   a child’s breath the scent
   of blossoms
   Richard Straw 

   Virgo drifts back
   with sheaves of stars

9. as soft as
   a child’s breath the scent
   of blossoms
   –Richard Straw 

   we drink tea on a spring night
   with Sisters of Mercy

   nestled snug in our dreams
   we point at spring stars

   beyond our blue, spring skies
   worlds for new magellan’s

   we downsize in a thorough
   spring cleaning

   the April spring fool
   clown hat on my head

   1. “nestled snug in our dreams…”…lovely, John.

10. faery queen walking
    in a gossamer gown

    faery queen
    in a back yard procession

    faery queen blesses
    every seed she sees

    faery queen turns and smiles
    giggling pixies follow her

    1. Love these, Rob…especially “faery queen walking in a gossamer gown…”

       1. thank you madeleine–the
          faery queen thanks you as well…

          1. Lol, Rob! Your welcome to both of you:)!

    2. Rob, I love this !
       faery queen walking
       in a gossamer gown

       I was Titania ages ago in 7th grade. I’ve always had an affinity for the the faery queen. This is so beautiful. Thank you for writing this and sharing with us. I love the alliteration of “gossamer gown”.

       1. thank you diana—what inspired me to
          write about faeries was wendy calling
          madeleine and pamela renku faeries!

          1. correction ladies! pamela said it first—to madeleine,
             calling her a renku fairy…then wendy agreed making
             them both renku faeries!

             all worth repeating to spread the beauty and magic
             of patricia’s renku.

             1. Rob, I also agree! And thus inspired me to write the one below :)

             2. Lol! 😄…Rob, you are so right…Patricia’s renku has been magical and filled with beauty… All the renku poets have made it so much fun…a renku extraordinaire! Diana, I love that we all inspire each other:)! It’s wonderful that you were Titania in the 7th grade… so very memorable.

             3. Rob and DIana, thank you for continuing to spread the magic and beauty of Patricia’s renku by posting your enchanting verses!:)

             4. Rob, I meant to italicize your wonderful words, “spread the beauty and magic
                of patricia’s renku”.

             5. “Rob and Diana, thank you for continuing to spread
                the magic and beauty of Patricia’s renku by posting
                your enchanting verses! :)”

                madeleine let’s not forget wendy! her magical and
                enchanting verses are from a wonderful dream.

                thank you everyone else as well who contributed
                verses of miraculous beauty.

             6. Rob, you have expressed it so well, definitely “Wendy’s enchanting and magical verses are from a wonderful dream”! 🥰 Yes…to everyone else who does!

11. fairy rings
    in a dew kissed meadow

    Diana Ming Jeong

    *** fairies for many reasons for my renku family 💐 🧚‍♀️ 💜

    1. Diana, this is so sweet and wonderful…so beautifully written.

       1. Thank you Madeleine!! :)

    2. fairy rings
       in a dew kissed meadow

       Diana Ming Jeong

       a precious gem diana!

       1. Thank you Rob!

12. as soft as

    a child’s breath the scent

    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    the kite mobile dances
    while the cradle rocks

    by turns the April fool
    tidies the garden up

    a sprig of mint
    crowns the séance

    a crowd of dandelions
    wears yellow ribbons

    1. Clysta, these are great…I love “…the April fool tidies the garden up” and “a crowd of dandelions wears yellow ribbons…”:)

       1. dear madeleine, your offering of “she chases dandelion puffs” got me going; you bring infectious optimism to a renku. for this sideshow you have been a loyal sidekick 🙏🏼

          1. Lol…dear Clysta, thank you….I am so very touched by your kindness and wonderful sense of humor… I am smiling and chuckling:)! I have delighted in your positive and encouraging words throughout this renku session.

          2. I also loved “she chases dandelion puffs” !!! I can see it!

             1. Lol, thank you Diana! :)

13. a petal
    sails across the pond

14. blossom petal
    sails across the pond

15. a walk in the park
    the robin sings

16. perched on a branch
    the robin sings

    1. These are beautiful, Christopher!

       1. Welcome to our Renku, Christopher!

17. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    this simple picnic
    turns into a festival
    *
    a basket of rice cake
    and bean paste for the picnic

18. this tranquil gathering
    inspires the novice

    1. what a fine wrapup Carol … an homage to learning spaces.

19. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    —Richard Straw

    every day a new
    new year and spring somewhere

    1. Delightful verses, Pamela!

       1. In honor of Pamela’s timeless lady bug verses…

          lots of giggles
          at the ladybug party

          ~ ~ ~

          For Wendy and Pamela

          fairies
          delightfully dash to the spring renku party!

          1. And to all those who love a good renku party!

             1. just a joyful renku experience…it wouldn’t be possible without the support of our tight and growing family, and our sabaki,
                Patricia who allows us to play, and experience this wonderful
                sculpture to frolic around.
                thank you, sweet madeleine and all who contributed posts
                throughout the weeks. Hope we can all be here again to
                make the next one together.
                My spring dream would be that John Stevenson surprised us with V20…and wrote the ageku!

             2. Wendy, this is a wonderful and perfect tribute to our poets, our sabaki, Patricia and John….looking forward to another “joyful renku experience” with everyone!

20. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    —Richard Straw

    delight in the mind’s eye
    spring cleaning

21. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    spilled across a velvet sky,
    we reach for those spring stars

    families set out welcome
    mats in the spring evening

    on a starry, spring night
    the watch cries out, “All is well.”

    an agreement to end
    strife with this spring dawn

    mortarboards tossed high
    at spring graduation

    1. Gosh, John! All of these are wonderful! I am especially enamored with this one:
       spilled across a velvet sky,
       we reach for those spring stars

22. Wonderful read! Congratulations to all poets participating!
    ******
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    Richard Straw
    ****

    spoon-pilot delivering
    a slice of timeless joy

    sponge sparing the spaghetti sauce’s handprint
    of humanity

    buzz left by sharpie marks
    on her growth chart

    the rattle of time
    shaking inside

    1. Welcome, Sandra…these verses are great!

       1. as soft as
          a child’s breath the scent
          of blossoms

          Richard Straw

          lady bugs bouncing
          at the garden party

    2. welcome back, Sandra….i love your writing!

23. learning .the crawl
    miss swimleys spring swim schedule

    ~ ~ ~

    lady bugs bounce
    the garden party

    ~ ~ ~

    library’s spring program
    braiding a crown of forget me nots

    1. I LOVE these! Great imagery!

       1. Awww, thanks Diana…it means a lot.

24. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    a rain drop reflects
    the world on a daffodil petal

    a bumblebee
    hums gently in the garden

    sowing seeds
    full of hope and expectation

    a feather floats to earth
    from nest building birds

    Or

    as birds build their nest
    a feather floats to earth

    leaving my bobble hat
    in the drawer

    patchwork sky and
    rainbow in the valley

    the fresh green
    of fern fronds

    the plop and splash
    of mating frogs

    the comforting smell
    of hot cross buns

    no mow may
    the grass lengthens

    nose in a book
    exams are coming

    1. Well I may have broken one or two rules there!

       topping up suncream
       ready for summer

       suddenly the world
       bursts with colour

       thermal undies
       folded up for another year

       queues grow long
       by the ice cream van

       the magic of smiles
       its warm again

       the chairs are all taken
       outside the cafe

       the novelty of sun
       on our faces

       day trips
       to far off places

       reciting poems
       at Sylvia’s grave

       a clear blue sky
       above headstones

       that new growth smell
       after rain

       adverts for weedkiller
       and barbecues on the telly

       they erect a cross
       high on the chevin

       entangled ribbons
       around the maypole

       1. one talented gal! melissa
          i agree too…..make that three scoops!

          1. 😀

    2. All, delightful Melissa!

       1. I agree with Madeleine. Especially reciting poems
          at Sylvia’s grave

25. polite vows to meet again
    float on the spring breeze

    a sunny smile the same
    in every language

    a mad scramble
    for the bride’s bouquet

    endless song falls
    from a dot in the sky

    promises renewed
    with longer days

    pure spring water
    either side of the path

    1. These are lovely, Harrison, “endless songs fall…” and “a sunny smile the same…” resonate for me.

26. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    spring clouds in a blue sky
    race above our heads

    our time to meditate too
    on Buddha’s birthday

    we listen to frogs
    in the spring night

    at low spring tide
    we comb the beach

    stars spill across the sky
    on a spring night

27. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    sunny faces in
    shop windows

    ponytails sing-a-long
    to a jump rope song

    the smack of a mitt
    from centerfield

    a scarf flies away
    from a river ferry

    monks in their habits
    laugh with the wind

    1. These are lovely and inspiring, Richard.

       1. Thanks, madeleine!

          1. Your welcome, Richard:)

28. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    dance steps left
    in the fresh spring mud
    *
    dance steps still fresh
    in the rich spring mud

29. a cluster of soap bubbles
    soars above the clouds

    1. Wonderful, Carol!

30. our blooms endureth
    from generation to generation

    Diana Ming Jeong

31. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms – Richard Straw

    stubborn robin strutting
    on the bike path

    who needs shoes
    on a morning like this

    forests come alive
    when you stop to listen

    1. These are great, Dan.

       1. Gracias dear madeleine!

          1. Your welcome, Dan:)!

32. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    the frisbee spin
    of freed graduation caps

    1. Wonderful!

33. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    a Valentine for the spirits
    who once lived here

    the swing rises
    into a blue, spring sky

    the box kite they release
    gets smaller and smaller

    a chess match warms-up
    in the gazebo

    procession to the church
    on Palm Sunday

    in the breeze
    we laugh and hike

    1. I love ‘the swing rises’

34. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    graduation gowns billow
    with high spirits
    *

35. gentle breeze
    blossom petals dance

36. a gentle breeze
    blossoms dance

    1. Hi, Christopher–Thank you for contributing. Something we try to avoid in renku-writing is to repeat a word that has been used before. The plural of blossom was used in the previous verse and dance was used in verse six. Please try again.

37. canopies and gazebos
    abuzz with pollen

    we spring forward
    to embrace a new day

    spring forward and
    rejoice!

    Diana Ming Jeong

    1. Beautiful beautiful beautiful!

       1. I agree with Pamela, Diana.

          1. and full of delight!:)

             1. Thank you Madeleine! Keeping it happy and upbeat! :)

             2. 🥰

       2. Thank you Pamela! :)

38. planning the first
    car wash of the year

    a brainstorm on whose car
    to go first for the tire switch

39. my relief seeing the bulbs
    finally break through

    1. A delightful verse, Biswajit.

40. meet you
    dream come true
    —-

    ah, what a surprise
    you miss me too
    ——

    at the end of the conversation
    feels happy
    —-

    i said something
    your laughter fills the horizon
    —-

    1. I love ‘your laughter fills the horizon’!

       1. Thank you very much, dear Pamela…
          🙏

41. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    hands held,
    ma and pa in rocking chairs

    we hide Easter eggs
    in the backyard

    in our rock garden
    the Buddha sleeps

    1. John, I must say that ‘Easter eggs’ linking to ‘blossoms/ cherry blossoms’ stands out as a typical example of the resilience of the ‘Flat Earth Theory’, which apparently is still adhered to by many in the Northern Hemisphere, especially by people in the USA.
       (which is odd, considering the USA’s advanced technology and that, famously, people from the USA walked on the moon and showed us all that Earth is round, like a big tom-bowler marble. )

       Greetings from a busy suburb of Melbourne, Australia, where the snow peas are just about finished, the broad beans are in flower, climbing jasmine is scenting the streets and the cherry blossoms, up in the hills, are coming into bloom.
       (and where the next Easter Bunny is expected to come in March, 2025)

       :

42. each tadpole has
    its share of the pond

    1. each tadpole has
       its share of the pond
       –
       Nice one, Carol. :-)

43. A delicate and enchanting verse Richard. A wonderful choice Patricia.

    1. Thanks, Carol!

44. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms…………………………..Richard Straw

    the colour gurgle
    in a spring brook’s rainbow

    @@@@@@@@@@

    in a spring folding
    plenty of room for synesthesia

    1. Love these, Wendy…especially “the colour gurgle…”

       1. thanks, madeleine…and i just posted another version of it.

          1. I will look for it Wendy! :)

          2. Wendy, your creativity and kindness are truly inspiring:)

45. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw
    *
    melting snow
    swells the stream

    1. Beautiful!

       1. I agree with Pamela, Andrew…Beautiful!:)

46. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    bassinets congregate
    side by side in shade

    youths join hands
    to crack the whip

    a cigar and a pipe
    face off over chess

    across a grassy field
    statues try to tag “it”

    around a pond
    sermons in song

    1. Wonderful, Richard…bassinets congregates…” resonate for me.

       1. Thanks much, madeleine!

          1. Your welcome, Richard.

47. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    in a breeze, laundry tugs
    on the clothes-pins

    over rooftops
    a spring rainbow

    at the morning market place
    everything you never bought

    a doorman polishes
    the brass knocker

    this spring day fills
    our hearts with smiles

48. dandelion wine
    at the spring bacchanal

    they pick dandelions
    for spring wine

49. Congratulations, Richatd, on your tender verse. Delicate and enhanced with “pruning” by Patricia.

    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw

    butterflies chased
    by a spring zephyr
    .
    sticky wings unfurl
    in flight readiness
    .
    a sip of nectar
    the butterfly’s ambrosia

    1. Thanks, Nancy!

       1. These are wonderful, Nancy

       2. Sorry, Otto got me on your name, Richard. My sincere apologies.

50. 18
    the stork brings a baby doll
    in Amazon packaging
    19
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    20
    parting gift a bouquet
    op everlasting flowers

51. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw 

    a toast with pink champagne
    brings us together

    we gather for a toast
    with pink champagne

    we toast the breeze
    with pink champagne

    pink champagne
    rings on the breeze

    a toast with pink
    champagne chimes

    like a tuning fork
    a toast with pink champagne

    peals of pink champagne
    on the breeze

    1. These are beautiful, Orense.:)

52. with a final tap
    fireplace sealed

    stratospheric balloon
    releases its sulphur salve

    windmill welcomes the rain
    with the wave of a sail

    1. google my balloon verse,
       this is a real event.

       1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratospheric_aerosol_injection

          1. Rob, this information is fantastic and hopeful. I am going to read it a couple more times!

             Your verse “Windmill welcomes the rain…” is wonderful.

             1. thank you so much madeleine, very pleased
                you like the link and my windmill verse!

             2. I am happy to hear this, Rob!

53. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms – Richard Straw

    an uninvited yet welcome
    breeze drifts through the open window
    .
    a soft wind dances through the grass
    adding another breeze memory in my mind

    a dad’s tender lullaby
    is carried away by the breeze

    memories of musical breezes
    in my boyhood dreams

    A breeze tumbles through the garden
    caressing the rabbit’s ears

54. *
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    the season’s first batch
    of mud pies
    *
    the blush
    of first flush tea
    *
    no price too high
    for first flush tea
    *

    1. “season’s first batch of mud pies” makes me smile, Laurie!
       I am intrigued by “first flush tea”. “no price too high…” is very charming.

55. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    endless spring sky
    beyond clouds and day moon

    the evening spring sky
    a light show of color

    spring rain awakens
    the forest path

    1. John, I’ve been wanting to say I love these verses.

56. *
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    the flap of tents
    as farmers fill their tables
    *
    locals eagerly await
    the reopened farm market
    *

57. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    Richard Straw

    she somersaults
    first blades of grass
    ~ ~ ~
    first blades of grass
    grasshopper’s meal

    1. knee high to a grass hopper
       she chases puff balls
       ~ ~ ~
       she chases
       dandelion puffs

       1. picnicking in the backyard
          spring break
          ~ ~ ~
          taking the training wheels
          off

          1. taking the training wheels off
             spring vacation

             1. love this one! , madeleine

             2. madeleine…..wondering….do you need “taking the” ?
                LOL!!! how about taking off the ‘taking the’

             3. Thanks, Wendy…Lol… let me see.

                taking off the training wheels
                spring vacation

                I like it much better…it flows better!:)

             4. A lovely renku party favor…thank you Wendy!

       2. she chases
          dandelion puffs with her net

          1. avoiding the net
             the mayfly bounces

             avoiding the net
             the mayfly bounces away

             learning to bounce a ball
             spring vacation

             1. I love learning to bounce a ball…

             2. learning to bounce a ball
                spring vacation

                madeleine kavanagh

                fun link to (bouncing?) baby….with a spring youth activity and/or adult memory, madeleine.

                “I love learning to bounce a ball…”
                Pamela Garry

                LOL!!!!! pamala….. if you haven’t met him already,
                let me introduce you to ………
                https://www.facebook.com/567832326649577/videos/2689137301101007
                wouldn’t we all like to learn to multi-task like this ????

             3. Lol, thanks Pamela and Wendy! I spent the summer when I was seven, practicing to bounce a ball… it was a lot of fun:) Thanks for the link, Wendy… Juzzie Smith sure can play the blues!

          2. brother francis
             bouncing on the pogo stick boing boing

             Pamela and Wendy…. feeling light hearted…can’t resist.

             1. Hahaha!

             2. 🥰

    2. first blade of grass
       a grasshopper’s meal

58. .
    .
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    .
    –Richard Straw 
    .
    Congratulations Richard – a very sweet addition to the renku for the blossom verse!
    .
    I know this is not haiku, and even the haiku masters used it, but my inner nitpicking soul winces at the explicit simile. Obviously Patricia doesn’t have a problem with it though, and that is all that counts. Well done.

    1. Thanks, princess k. I, too, leave such issues up to Patricia and other haiku arbiters.

       I will confess that writing a haiku (which encourages the juxtaposition of two images) is inherently metaphorical for me and invites the use of hidden and sometimes not so veiled similitudes.

       I’m probably wrong, of course, about this and can’t provide a well-thought-out theory. But using metaphor or another similitude does seem to help when I try write a haiku or even read one.

       My link, by the way, isn’t a “haiku” per se. It’s merely one verse in a chain of other linked verses that make up a longer poem. Or at least I think that’s what it is.

       1. Correction (sorry):

          “But using metaphor or another similitude does seem to help when I try TO write a haiku or even read one.”

       2. Correct, Richard. In a renku there is one and one only verse that can be considered to be a haiku: the hokku. The first verse/ the opening verse. In this case:

          the moon joins
          a juggler’s side show
          harvest festival

          (Personally, I prefer to have a cut marker for the hokku, even when it’s obvious where the cut is. Basho, the master renku leader of all time, used cut markers/ cutting words. )

    2. I feel the need to defend simile :)

       Juxtaposition’s implied comparison tends towards identification i.e. metaphor and in haiku simile can have a number of advantages over metaphor depending on the circumstances.
       – simile’s simple acknowledgement of similarity is less contrived than metaphor and closer to natural speech.
       Metaphor as a figure of speech and mental process is more intrusive and cumbersome than simile. Using simile in some cases may make it less high minded more accessible and in a sense lighter, more in line with karumi.
       – simile is more in the moment, the comparison is conditional, fleeting, flexible and more open to interpretation. Metaphor with the identification of its two terms, where one is the other, is tantamount to a definition, a general poetic truth which escapes time.

       Of course juxtaposition with implied metaphor also has its strengths and advantages over simile but it is not a case of one being good and the other bad, it depends on what the haiku seeks to express. The masters as you remark made use of both.

       In the case of renku inner juxtaposition within the links is not what we seek as there is already juxtaposition between the verses, so there is no reason to avoid simile if it serves the message. Juxtaposition can on the contrary introduce a certain choppiness and muddy the flow of the renku.

       1. i respect tradition and modern renku variation in verse… so happy that Patricia has been open to our experimentation and is inclusive with such literary deviations.

59. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw 

    pink jellyfish like
    a beating heart

60. *
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    the trellis warms up with threads
    of last winter’s mitten
    *
    threads of last winter’s mitten
    tickle the trellis
    *

61. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    the herbs they collect
    brewed in a tea that heals

    on the veranda
    grandma and grandpa rock

    she socks a home run
    with bases loaded

    spare-ribs sizzle
    on the open fire

62. *
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    pollen rests in the weave
    of freshly laundered curtains
    *
    pollen replaces the view
    through every kitchen window
    *
    wind-planted pollen
    on freshly laundered linens
    *
    the fresh view of pollen
    from every polished window
    *

    1. oops–I knew it was too easy. Scratch the windows.

       1. Lol! Thanks for reminding us, Laurie…I was planning on a verse with windows. :) “…from every polished window.” is a very lovely verse, just the same.

63. *
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    tying balloons
    with maypole ribbons
    *
    flying the kite
    from a maypole ribbon
    *

64. lambs skip
    around their mothers

    a little sandpaper
    to smooth his crib

65. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw 

    eager eager eager
    the swing’s creak!

66. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw 

    out of nowhere
    every butterfly

    1. This verse is a delight, Orense.

67. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms—————-Richard Straw

    spring surprises
    the kind we plant in each other

    1. Wendy, spring surprises is beautiful…memorable!

       1. glad you like it, thanx, madeleine

          1. 🥰

68. Patricia, thank you for picking Richard’s verse for V19 of our renku.
    i was waiting to post…for when all petals, settled. So, glad that you
    fashioned his touching lines fitting them in a place that eliminated any redundancy, in starting sentences.
    LOL!! i could imagine, how too many “the’s” in a row can quickly turn the beautifully sculptured shape of renku into a robotic and bland shopping list!

    So happy you are pleased with my various, designated, verses,
    i love how you saw them, so creatively and and endearingly, as ‘party favors’. flutters my heart feathers.

    Richard, so glad you embraced the rearrangement of your heartfelt lines…for the betterment of the whole work of art.

    i loved the way you wrote it, and now its value has doubled,
    since a master has left her touch on them….tailor-made for this renku.

    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    1. Thanks, Wendy. Much appreciated! Everyone needs a good editor, and we should all welcome a great one.

       I, too, enjoyed your valentines. Let’s have Valentine’s Day year-round.

    2. “So happy you are pleased with my various, designated, verses,..”

       Wendy, by what or by whom were your various verses designated?

       (I’m having trouble with the language here. )

       1. Lorin,
          I may be speaking out of turn here, but I think Wendy is referring to Patricia’ s remark at the beginning of this post about Wendy’s verses as party favors throughout the renku and her encouragement of other poets (and their verses) throughout the renku, too. After all, Wendy had the beginning verse (hokku), yet posted verse after verse, knowing none of them would be chosen because Patricia indicated only one verse per poet. I believe Wendy posts verses because she writes for the sheer enjoyment of playing with words and ideas. Just my thoughts….Nan

          If I am wrong, I am sure someone will correct me.

          1. nan-
             so lovely, that you feel this way. thank you for sharing your positive and (way so kind) perspective.

             editcrow and i have no better words than yours….you have us speechless! on the same page,

             1. Wendy,
                Thanks. Otto thought I probably keep my mouth shut, but fools rush in where angels dare to tread, and I have been accused of being foolish more than once. Much of the fun of renku, especially here, is the positive interactions of other poets we may never meet in person, and I often chuckle at the wordplay of your and other’s verses. Yours are like party favors, surprising and fresh. Nan

          2. Nancy, I don’t think you’re “speaking out of turn”. I’m grateful that you’ve sent me back to read (or re-read) Patricia’s introduction comments for the week, which I admit I’d pretty much skipped over.

             “Thank you, Wendy, for your lovely tributes to the process, to other writers, to John, to me with your special cherry blossom verses. They are like party favors that we get to take home with us as mementos of this memorable occasion. ” – Patricia

             Having read this now, I understand better. It’s in English. It’s a type of English, perhaps a dialect that Patricia and Wendy might share, but it’s not my English and I find it . . . somewhat difficult to read at times, especially when I have a headache. (To be clear, I’m not referring to the spelling. I do understand the differences between English and American- English spelling. No problems there.)

             I will now skim down the threads to find Wendy’s cherry blossom verses and see if I can understand what’s special about them. (“Special” verses compared to what? Ordinary verses? Special verses compared to verses offered by whom or to what type of verses?) These ‘special verses’ of Wendy’s are not in the renku, so they must be in this long thread or the long threads before it. )

             Now I’ve googled, to be sure :
             “What is the opposite of special?
             WordHippo
             https://www.wordhippo.com › what-is › special
             What is the opposite of special? ; unoriginal · obscure ; clichéd · inconspicuous ; prevalent · tired ; unnoticeable · inconsiderable ; nothing special · trite. ”

             Hmmm. What might that imply about all of the other participants’ verses, when compared to Wendy’s?

             I certainly recall some “special” verses directed toward me that Wendy posted in a former THF renku, of which Patricia was the sabaki and which didn’t go unnoticed by some of the other participants.

             I also recall some “special comments” specifically directed to me that Wendy felt free to make in this renku, that we’re finishing off now. These comments were deleted, after a few days. There are those who did read these, I know. There are also those who probably read them and then there are those who read them then deleted or helped to delete them. There have been no repeats of such comments by Wendy since then.

             I appreciate Patricia’s willingness to act as sabaki for these renku, as I appreciate having been able to participate in renku that were sabaki-ed by John Stevenson and others.
             About renku in general, many things depend. Personally, I can honestly say that I love the cowboys (and girls) but I intensely dislike the bulldust.

       2. Lorin,
          i can see where the confusion came…it is not a language issue
          it a time/place (page/week) issue.
          hoping you can catch up, soon.

          1. Ah, Wendy, the fact that I was called away after I’d begun to respond to Nancy and didn’t return for some time. wouldn’t have helped either, as the ‘time factor’ could lead people into thinking (erroneously) that the threads comments were all consecutive.

             I do think there are language issues, though. And “catch up”? To what or to whom do I need to catch up?

    3. Richard,
       yes to that!
       heart day is everyday

       1. I heartily agree!❤️

69. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    spring dawn ripples
    through my garden

70. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms — Richard Straw

    little league tryouts
    this will be the year

    the taxman hangs a sign
    —gone fishin’

    in each mail box
    the new seed catalog

    1. little league tryouts
       this will be the year!

       1. These are great Curt…I really like “the tax man hangs a sign…”

71. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    soap bubbles
    soap bubbles everywhere

    beside the mare
    a colt nibbles spring grass

72. the stork brings a baby doll
    in Amazon packaging — Tracy Davidson
    —
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms — Richard Straw
    —————–

    (a)
    in a drift of soap bubbles
    all the colours of our dreams
    —
    (b)
    each soap bubble floats
    into its own tomorrow

    1. Renku Home : http://www.2hweb.net/haikai/renku/500ESWd.html

       SPRING–HUMANITY
       *Spring: soap bubbles (shabondama, all spring).

73. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw

    snuggles within
    our spring comforter
    ***
    seeds gently laid in
    the spring garden bed

    1. These are great Eavonka! I love the imagery in both. It sounds so lovely when you say it out loud.

    2. eavonka, both lovely, the seed one is my fav!
       agreeing with madeleine.

74. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    as daylight lengthens
    peace-talks turn to song

    1. So hopeful and inspiring, Pamela and I love the poem you wrote earlier.

       “sweet nothings
       in the spring breeze”

       Pamela Garry

       1. I love your delightful encouragement to me and to everyone. Like a Renku fairy!

          1. i agree, pamela, that’s a perfect spirit name you created for
             madeleine!
             i my eyes, you are both, Renku Faeries

             1. I am honored!

          2. Awww, that is so lovely of you to say, Pamela.🥰

             1. Such a sweet comment Wendy…and in my eyes both you and Pamela hold the title of renku fairies, 🥰 as you both truly delight and encourage us all in our weekly renku.:)

             2. I am sorry for being so late in my reply…I had stepped away longer than I had wanted…these greetings are a joy.

75. the stork brings a baby doll
    in Amazon packaging — Tracy Davidson
    —
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms — Richard Straw
    —
    a drift of soap bubbles,
    like us just passing by

76. Congratulations, Richard.

    I do like that you’ve used the generic ‘blossoms’ here rather than ‘cherry blossoms’. There are many trees, vines and plants in bloom where I am now (Victoria, Australia, where it is nearly the end of an unusually rainy first month of spring) including the hardy climbing jasmine that scents inner city streets and some consider a nuisance. That may be, but it has a lovely scent.

    That said, this is my favourite “cherry blossom” haiku, in various translations:

    ki no moto wa shiru mo namasu mo sakura kana — Basho (1654-1694)
    .
    Under the cherry-trees,
    On soup, and fish-salad and all,
    Flower-petals — R.H. Blyth, 1950
    .
    Under the trees
    Soup, fish salad, and everywhere
    Cherry blossoms. — Makoto Ueda, 1970

    .Under the cherry–
    blossom soup,
    blossom salad. — Lucien Stryk, 1985

    1. Thanks, Lorin!

       Wow! A cherry blossom garnish!!

       1. Be careful about cyanide poisoning, however:

          “Cherry blossoms boast a refreshing taste—think fresh garden herbs or other edible flowers—but we wouldn’t necessarily go shoveling down raw petals by the palmful. While only in minute amounts, the same kinds of cyanide found in cherry pits are present in the plant.”

          https://www.bokksu.com/blogs/news/are-cherry-blossoms-edible?srsltid=AfmBOopab0aHNf4TOjbR0IeULMXAwkdYZw9e_ilU1KNbkNsdsevLdIAW

          1. “Be careful about cyanide poisoning, however” – Richard.

             True. :-) I doubt very much that Basho ( who, I believe, had a sense of humour which shows in quite a few of his haiku & hokku) meant that people were deliberately garnishing their picnic food with the petals. Focusing on cherry petals falling onto the fish salad and the soup is what makes it haikai. The exalted cherry blossoms drop or are blown onto the mundane fish salad: it’s down to earth, I think, and humorous.. Not ‘fancy’.

             As is his haiku about a flower briefly noticed coming into bloom under a hedge, as he rode quietly towards the next stop in his journey. Briefly noticed because his horse noticed it too,
             and ate it. (Such is life!)
             Basho was the master of haikai no renga ( as opposed to classical renga) I think, because his focus was so down to earth.

77. Congratulations Richard for a breath-taking addition and thank you Patricia for including me in your selections. :)

    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    Richard Straw

    soap bubbles
    through soap bubbles

    soap bubbles through
    soap bubbles

    just a faraway soap bubble
    morning star

    carefully sown
    the mystery seeds

    the mystery seeds
    sown with extra glee

    1. Thanks, Orense! And a belated welcome!!

       1. Thank you Richard:)

78. precious mem’ries of my parents
    always bloom in spring

79. Congrats Richard, I always enjoy your verses and thank you Patricia

    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms – Richard Straw

    a lovely stranger
    smiled at my ugly dog

    watching my dog’
    pee on the neighbor’s flowers

    waving farewell
    to a fading kite

    kites cover the tiles
    on grandpa’s roof

    1. Thanks, Dan! Back at ya!! You always draw a smile on my dour disposition.

80. Thank you, Patricia, for all your amazing work on choosing verses for this renku. I admit to the ache of getting so close more than once, but I’m happy that the process has been so helpful in expanding my understanding of the form.

    Congratulations to Richard! My thanks to Robin for all her assistance and, of course, continued hopes for John’s healing.

    1. Thanks, Eavonka! Your verse is truly lovely. Its synesthesia of song and sight is extraordinary.

       a lullaby
       of cherry blossoms
       in the air

       Eavonka Ettinger

       1. Thank you, Richard, for your words. Very encouraging!

81. *
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    the sound of the seeds still jumps
    in the paper packet
    *
    the sound of spring breezes
    in each shell of a seed bag

82. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    gentle spring rain
    awakens the earth

    Diana Ming Jeong

83. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    window boxes explode
    with vibrant colors

    Diana Ming Jeong

    1. These are all delightful verses, Diana:)!

       1. Thank you so much Madeleine!

84. a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw

    rabbit ears
    daffodils popping through

    1. rabbit ears
       gently pop through

    2. rabbit ears
       daffodils gently pop through

       1. rabbit ears
          daffodils gently pop up

    3. madeleine, i keep laughing my way back and forth through your /daffodil/rabbit ear imaginings as you descibe our ever-changing world….so much mischief in your mind’s eye, thank you.

       1. I am so happy they make you laugh, Clysta…your fun comment is making me laugh, now too!😀

          1. I got inspired Clysta:)

             daisies
             making chains the friends laugh

85. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    high in a balloon
    the curve of our land

    from our balloon
    the broad sweep of land

86. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    This verse is so ethereal…Thank you again, Richard and Patricia.

    a yellow rose
    for each poet and our sabaki

    ~ ~ ~

    a spring shower
    daisy petals on smiling poets

    1. Thanks, Madeleine! The ethereal effect is thanks primarily to Patricia’s rewriting.

87. I hope you have a complete and permanent recovery, John.

    Thanks for choosing (and improving on) one of my candidate links, Patricia.

    Thanks, also, to each fellow renku participant. Your works are always inspiring, and your thoughts are helpful and kind. I especially appreciate this week all of your good wishes and comments on the 19th link chosen and amended by Patricia.

    And, finally, Robin, your help these many weeks in keeping the renku going behind the scenes is very much appreciated.

    ***

    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    a full parking lot
    at the garden center

    a noisy school bus
    unloads at the arboretum

    mother and daughter
    pick out their corsages

    seed packets line a shelf
    above the kitchen sink

    an orb weaver links
    the pots of pansies

88. *
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    Maypole ribbons set aside
    for a future balloon
    *
    so many uses
    for a Maypole ribbon
    *

89. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    hope springs eternal
    in an old family recipe

    hope springs eternal
    in grandma’s pasta primavera

    Diana Ming Jeong

90. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    simply exquisite richard,
    this one takes my breath away.
    an excellent choice once again patricia.
    all the best john, get back here.
    robin you are our lifesaver.

    1. ps patricia grateful as always for
       including me in the lists, i am in
       such excellent company.

    2. Thanks, Rob! I was aiming for synesthesia.

91. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw

    spring cleaning
    candyfloss webs

92. I love this joint production, Richard and Patricia! It’s a lovely verse to set up for the close. What a wonderful journey this has been–my thanks to everyone participating, both in and behind the scenes.
    *
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    *
    Richard Straw
    *
    a lifelong subscription
    to this spring in the step
    *
    the spring in my step
    renewed once again
    *
    natural as a smile
    this spring in my step
    *

    1. Thanks, Laurie! Like the rest of the renku, this link truly was a collaboration.

93. A lovely choice- thanks Patricia! Congrats Richard!

    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    sweet nothings
    in a spring breeze

    1. Thanks, Pamela! Much appreciated!!

94. springing forward
    into all there is to enjoy

    spring and all things
    being yin and yang

    gladiolas as
    i’ve ever been before

    1. Michael, I really like your verses. …they are
       very inspiring.

95. Patricia, thank you for including my verses in your long list of possibilites.

    Robin Smith, thank you for uploading instructions and various corretions as need—your work is valued.

    John Stevenson—may your healing journey continue in a satisfactory direction.

96. Richard Straw, congratulations on the acceptance of your Verse 19 in the Side Show Renku:
    as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms
    –Richard Straw 

    1. Thanks, John! I only provided the clay. Patricia was the potter.

97. Congratulations Richard. Your verse is softly beautiful too.

    1. I like the subtlety of yours, too!

       only in pictures
       delivered to me
       cherry blossom

       Biswajit Mishra

       I imagine here enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms from a distant land by looking at photographs of them in a magazine delivered by a mailman on a wintry day.

       1. Thank you Richard. It was a photo my daughter had shared a few years ago.

98. as soft as
    a child’s breath the scent
    of blossoms

    Richard Straw

    we all join hands
    in May merriment

    1. This is very lovely, Clysta!

       1. I agree with Diana, Clysta…lovely:)

99. Congratulations Richard. Such a gentle blossom verse to lead in to the last. Thank you Patricia for sharing your wisdom and guiding us through this renku and making the tough choices.
    And, to everyone participating for their hard work and joy in writing and for staying on the path while keeping it light and fun: much appreciation.

    1. Thanks, Clysta! Writing candidate links for link 19 has been the most fun of all.

100. as soft as
     a child’s breath the scent
     of blossoms

     Richard Straw

     and recipe of the day
     fried vegetable marrows flowers

101. Congratulations Richard! Your verse is so sweet, beautiful, and full of God’s grace! Also congratulations to everyone. I love all your cherry blossom verses. This is my favorite week! Thank you Wendy for your cherry blossom party favors for us to cherish forever. Thank you Patricia and Robin and The Haiku Foundation. Peace and healing to all esp to John. 🌸

     1. A lovely and tender tribute, Diana

        1. Thank you Madeleine! I’m touched by everyone’s warmth!

           1. 🥰

     2. Thanks, Diana. I wrote it in anticipation of a first grandchild to be born next spring.

        1. Hi Richard,
           That is so very special! Congratulations! I am not a mother of a human but I do have a niece! Your verse brought me back to that first day when I met her at the hospital. She was only a few hours new… and the memory and feeling and smells are exactly as your verse!
           Many blessings to you and your family! 🌸

           1. Thanks, Diana! Much appreciated!!

     3. Diana, your writing displays an elation so wonderfully contagious to this group. Thank you for the joy you shower in our Renku journey.

        btw: i left some suggestions…in a response below your mobile verse in last week’s verse 19.

        1. Hi Wendy!
           That’s so kind of you to say! I feel the same way about you and the poets here! I feel joy and happiness on our journey together!
           I didn’t see the suggestions in Verse 19! I don’t know how you all get alerts but I literally go to each week and “search” for my name. Do you get email alerts somehow? I am using my wordpress login. I thought I would get emails or notifications somehow but I don’t get anything. I will go look now. Thank you!

        2. Thank you Wendy. I have read it now. I will ponder it as I don’t know how to rewrite it right now and I have never written tanka. :)

102. Richard, this is an absolutely wonderful verse… it’s perfect and adds so much lightness to our renku…I agree that Eavonka’s would have worked so well too…so many lovely verses in the showcase, such a very challenging task…to have to choose. Thank you for your steady leadership and commentary, Patricia and all these exquisite haiku fellow poets, each week.

     1. cherry blossoms
        fragrance many friendships

        1. This is so sweet Madeleine!

           1. Thank you Diana.🥰 …Your poetry and commentary are so heart warming.

              1. Aww than you, as are yours Madeleine! 🥰

        2. Awww…touches my heart and your beautiful poems too, Diana.

           1. 🥰

     2. Aww, so kind of you to say so, Maddy. 💜

        1. a lullaby
           of cherry blossoms
           in the air

           Eavonka Ettinger

           Eavonka, I agree with Madeleine. I can visualize listening to the lullaby in this link a long, long time.

        2. Eavonka,
           I love your poems, they touch our hearts. 🥰

     3. Thank you, Madeleine. It’s only “perfect” thanks to Patricia.

        1. A perfect collaboration, Richard:)

103. Thanks, Patricia! I agree with your rewrite.

     Another possibility, of which there is often no end in the writing process:

     as soft as
     the scent of blossoms
     a child’s breath

     1. Please ignore this suggestion, Patricia. You have reordered the phrases the best way.

        1. Richard–thank you for being so gracious in accepting my alteration of your verse. There was nothing wrong with the way you wrote the verse. It was how it fit with the prior verse. I was prompted to find a rewording that would move the word “the” so that it didn’t start a line because the preceding verse’s first line starts with “the.” It’s a small thing but it does improve the reading of the two verses together.

           1. Thanks for explaining the expert alterations you made. Moving the definite article “the” made a definite improvement!

104. Congratulations Richard. That is a lovely verse. Well done!

     1. Thanks, Melissa! The loveliness of the verse can only be attributed to its editor—Patricia, the Patient Magician.

        1. Congratulations, Richard! And thank you, Patricia and Robin!

           amazed once again
           as all things are made new

           1. Thanks, Debbie!

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