Renku Sessions

The Renku Sessions: Tan-renga – Week 5

renku_300

Betty Shropshire was unable to take on the task of choosing a verse this week. I’m sure you all join me in wishing better circumstances for Betty and all of her Texas neighbors. I have been filling in this week and here is my report.

I didn’t explain, last week, the nature of love verses, as I have in previous renku sessions. I’m going to talk about that subject now, as I recall some of the verses I found most appealing this week.

Love verses, in a renku, are about relations between adult human beings. I didn’t say so, however, and some of you presented interesting verses that may have been about children:

young love
dot of the i
heart shaped

Debbie Scheving

Nothing prevents a love verse from being humorous and it seems clear that many of you know this:

senior valentines
we share kardiamobile
on one iphone

Wendy C. Bialek

the bride whispers
what happened to all the ways
tv taught us to kiss

Sean Felix

serenade
under the wrong
window

Dan Campbell

Love verses can, of course, be about physical sensations, lovers, or potential lovers:

the way
a woman
moves the moon

Michelle Beyers

downwind of the lilacs
conversation turns
from words to kisses

Dana Rapisardi

But they can also be about the absence of the loved one:

sitting on the bench
that bears her name
he feels her presence

Tracy Davidson

And they can even suggest some degree of distance or estrangement:

fifty shades of
nothing could be further
from my mind

Michael Henry Lee

Love’s intimacy can be expressed through objects:

sharing a chest of drawers
carved
from heartwood

Laurie Greer

chamomile dust
the kettle whistles
our tune

Ellen Compton

engagement ring
handed down handed down
gradients of love

Jackie Maugh Robinson

Or an object can suggest a certain distance, perhaps a loving distance:

she buys him
an electric blanket
for cold nights

Debbie Feller

And love is ever complex. How many feelings might be involved in a moment like this:

first blossoms
she tells me
she’s late

andrew shimield

The verse I have selected also has varied and wildly contrasting potential emotional qualities. Let’s see how many different ways we can cap this:

because of love
I came here
on foot…

Nani Mariani

Nani, please let me know if you are willing to make the next selection.

This week, you are invited to offer two-line capping verses.

Please enter your verses in the comments box, below. Nani or I will review them until midnight on Monday, March 1 (Eastern US time). On Thursday, March 4, there will be a posting in which Nani or I will comment on some of the capping verse suggestions and select one of them to be paired with Nani’s opening verse.

Looking forward to seeing your capping verses!
John

 

The Haiku Foundation reminds you that participation in our offerings assumes respectful and appropriate behavior from all parties. Please see our Code of Conduct policy https://www.thehaikufoundation.org/code-of-conduct/

This Post Has 148 Comments

  3. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    .
    Nani Mariani
    *
    a washed out road
    can’t keep us apart
    *
    the new tattoo
    will make you smile
    *
    come now to the dock
    and sail away with me
    *
    he and his camel
    meet me half-way

  5. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    .
    Nani Mariani
    *
    close by your side
    while our child’s crowning

    © 3/1/2021 by wendy c. bialek

  7. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani

    *

    a sudden thunder
    announces a storm
    *
    in the north wind
    a surgical mask

  8. following her casket
    he carries the flowers

    one way tracks
    in the sand

    walking alone
    down the aisle

  9. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    .
    Nani Mariani
    .
    with a banjo
    on my knee

  10. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani
    .
    1.
    waiting behind a tree
    for her parents to drive off
    .
    2.
    star gazing while waiting
    for the porch light signal

  12. all perfumes on you
    nothing before your smile

    ***
    hands together
    distance is nothing
    **

    eyes full of mercy
    your love immediacy

    **

    bouquet of shine
    my touch of love

    ***

  13. full moons enjoy
    rides on elephant backs
    *
    full moon riding
    an elephant’s back
    *
    hide the banjo
    until the honeymoon

  14. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    .
    Nani Mariani
    *
    exploring beauty
    in your tattered soul

    © 2/28/2021 by wendy c. bialek

    esplorare la bellezza
    nella tua anima a brandelli

    © 2/28/2021 by wendy c. bialek

  15. with scent of jasmine
    to undo you

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 2/28/21

    to whisper sweet labials
    in a field of gutterals*

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 2/28/21

    *with a bow to Wallace Stevens

  16. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    treading softly
    into your dreams
    *with a nod to W B Yeats
    *
    baring my scars
    for all to see

  18. Dear John Stevenson..
    I am very excited and excited about your direction to learn to CHOOSE from a very impressive friend’s post.
    Thanks a lot, John..

    Blessed,
    Nani

  19. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    to view the “street scene
    in montmartre” with you

    © 2/27/2021 by wendy c. bialek

  20. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani
    .
    still awaiting dr scholl’s
    massaging gel insoles

    2/27/2021 by wendy c. bialek

    per amore
    sono venuto qui
    a piedi…
    .
    Nani Mariani

    ancora in attesa del dottor Scholl
    solette in gel massaggianti

    27/2/2021 di wendy c. bialek

  21. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    in the february moon
    a doe’s silhouette
    *
    to hear your sighs drown
    in the february moon

  22. Fun choice, John. I enjoyed being silly with it, Nani
    …
    you owe me
    a new pair of shoes
    …
    to beg
    for your hand
    …
    and Mary
    rode the donkey
    …
    but I hope
    you drive me home
    …
    so my bike
    didn’t wake the parents
    …
    give me an inch
    and I’ll take a mile

    1. 😇😇
      Thank you dear Pauline..,
      this is valentine’s last month, isn’t it..
      Love
      Love
      And
      Love 🍎🍎

  24. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    arriving early enough
    to stand the test of time
    *
    because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    with the bittersweet tears
    that rain on my parade
    *

  25. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    ———Nani Mariani

    morning glories
    curl up for the night

    the lover walks
    to first base

    from the locked paddock
    a horse whinnies

    sign along the road
    “eggs and free zucchini”

  26. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    .
    Nani Mariani

    to toast the limoncello’s
    glow inside its pewter zarf

    © 2/27/2021 by wendy c. bialek

    per amore
    sono venuto qui
    a piedi…
    .
    Nani Mariani

    tostare il limoncello
    bagliore dentro il suo zarf di peltro

    © 2/27/2021 di wendy c. bialek

  27. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    stuck like
    gorilla glue

    © 2/27/2021 by wendy c. bialek

  29. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani
    .
    only to witness
    the change of attire

    © 2/27/2021 by wendy c. bialek

    per amore
    sono venuto qui
    a piedi…
    .
    Nani Mariani

    solo per testimoniare
    il cambio di abbigliamento

    © 2/27/2021 di wendy c. bialek

  30. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    .
    Nani Mariani

    & found love to be
    a many-splintered thing

    © 2/27/2021 by wendy c. bialek

    per amore
    sono venuto qui
    a piedi…
    .
    Nani Mariani

    e ho trovato l’amore per essere
    una cosa frammentata

    © 2/27/2021 di wendy c. bialek

  32. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    .
    Nani Mariani

    & love is a many
    splintered thing

    © 2/27/2021 by wendy c. bialek

  35. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    through canopy of hallowed
    pines and soft twilight

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 2/27/21

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    to kiss you in these soft
    winds and blue twilight

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 2/27/21

  36. A sweet verse Nani –

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani
    .
    .
    the first argument
    is causal
    .
    global warming too
    is an unproven postulate
    .
    page after page of vagaries
    pitched with great force
    .
    let’s get metaphysical
    like a gorilla do
    .
    .

  37. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    the woman I find
    shows me your tombstone

    °*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨

    unexpected
    i find you burning letters

    °*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨

    now shaman
    will you heal my blisters too?

    °*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨

    these last hundred steps
    in candlelight

    °*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨°*¨

  38. because of love

    I came here

    on foot …
    —

    you miss me too

    dancing under the blue sky

    Nani Mariani

  39. John, thank you for considering one of my verses worthy of commentary. I confess it’s a revision of something I wrote long ago when still susceptible to romantic notions.
    ***

    Nani, I think your verse is stunning both in its simplicity and emotional charge but also in the abundance of ways to link to it. It was very inspiring to me. I tried for the “right angle” link in some cases but was really influenced by classic literary love scenes. (My capping verse in quotes is from **Cyrano de Bergerac.**–I discarded most of the other **Romeo & Juliet** inspired verses.) My first offering, with the stalking, is a joke I simply couldn’t resist and no reflection of my actual feelings about your beautiful opening verse.
    ***

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot… (~ Nani Mariani)
    *
    out-of-town visitor
    charged with stalking
    ***

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot… (~ Nani Mariani)
    *
    flowers reviving
    in a glass of water
    ***

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot… (~ Nani Mariani)
    *
    intent to serenade
    with lute and sonnet
    ***

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot… (~ Nani Mariani)
    *
    tread lightly
    if ‘twas all in vain
    ***

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot… (~ Nani Mariani)
    *
    “the voice from the shadows,
    that was you”
    ***

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot… (~ Nani Mariani)
    *
    to Canterbury
    without a tale

    1. Romeo and Juliet’s version
      Really romantic
      Thank you very much, dear Dana
      Thank you very much for your attention and a slightly cheerful post
      Thank you
      ❤️❤️
      ***

  40. exchanging vows
    in a hot air balloon
    *
    listening to
    the stream’s hum
    *
    old man holding
    an old woman’s hand

    1. Yes, yes .. dear Dan 🍇🍇
      Swapping vows, floating in a hot balloon

      Cool river flow

      My grandparents’ romance ..

      Thank you very much, dear Dan
      Thank you for your attention 💕💕

  41. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani
    *
    by your fireplace
    my shoes dry

    Shelley Baker-Gard

  43. because of love
    I came here
    on foot

    Nani Mariani

    she gives me wildflowers
    and her hand

    Carole Harrison

  44. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    because of love
    we fly away together

    Carole Harrison

  46. because of love

    i came here

    on foot …
    ——-

    days without you

    feels so sluggish….

    @Nani Mariani

  47. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    just to breathe in and out
    the peaks of our dawn

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 2/26/21

    1. because of love
      I came here
      on foot…

      Nani Mariani

      to breathe in and out
      the peaks of our dawn

      Michelle Beyers
      Copyright © 2/26/21

  48. because of love
    I came here
    on foot. . .
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    negotiating
    a trail gnarled roots
    *
    Maxianne Berger
    ***
    because of love
    I came here
    on foot. . .
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    sometimes there was rain
    in the wildflower meadows
    *
    Maxianne Berger

  49. Yay Nani! Thank you for such a wonderful haiku to write to!

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot. . .

    Nani Mariani

    the past smoothed
    by the ebb and flow

    Thank you John, for commenting on my offering!

    1. cruel is cruel…..
      I’m broken heart

      ——
      Hello dear John ..
      Aamiin e you okay..
      Thank you so much for your kind attention
      🌹🌹🌹

      1. Yes, I am okay, Nani. I’m presuming that you mean to ask if I’m okay with making the choice again this week. If so, the answer is yes. My readiness to do that whenever someone declines is a prerequisite to making the offer, from my perspective.

        1. Sorry John.,,
          I just remember my eldest brother.. 😇because it’s like a bad memory about my brother’s first love.

          Thank you so much, dear friend
          Nani

  51. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    …only to go limp
    in your arms
    *
    because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    feeling the earth move
    as we draw ever closer
    *

  52. As always, very interesting comments on the verses selected and congratulations Nani!

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot… (Nani Mariani)
    *
    the seven league boots
    on my back
    *
    the magic carpet ride
    left behind
    *
    a snail looking
    for another shell
    *
    drips from the bouquet
    of Bleeding Hearts

    2. Thank you so much, dear Sandra
      Thank you for your kind attentions

      flying carpet, I remember the story of Aladdin

      —

      Thank you

  53. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    kicking myself
    for misplacing the ring
    *
    because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    practicing for that silly walk
    down the aisle
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *

  54. Congratulations Nani! I whole heartedly agree with John’s choice of this perfect love poem. It will inspire us all to create worthy capping verses.
    .
    John, thank you for mentioning of one of mine in your remarks.
    .
    .
    Nani Mariani
    .
    because of love
    I came here.
    on foot …
    .
    staying the course
    blue sky and storm
    .
    bicycle
    built for two
    .
    hands together
    pottery wheel
    .
    the rest
    is prologue
    .
    carving our names
    cornerstone
    .
    journey dust of alone
    brushed away
    .
    second candle now
    glowing in the window
    .
    in love
    shoes beside the bed
    .
    running to meet me
    at the gate

    1. Re:
      “staying the course
      blue sky and storm”
      -.
      Liking this better:
      .
      staying the course
      clear sky and storm

  55. from a clifftop
    the wind claims her ashes
    *
    joining the vaccine queue
    in her memory
    *
    I wave through the window
    of her care home
    *
    a helping hand
    over the turnstile
    *
    the wedding held up
    by my impediment

  56. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    dancing a giddy two-step
    all the way
    *

  57. Congratulations Nani
    *******************************
    the repo man
    having snagged the car
    ****************************
    luckily you live
    just down the hall
    *************************
    under three miles
    as the crow flies
    ***********************
    however low blood sugar
    brought me to my knees
    *******************************
    next time ill know
    better to call

  58. because of love

    i come here

    on foot …

    —
    cherry blossoms

    this world belongs to both of us …

    @Nani Mariani

  60. because of love

    I come here

    on foot ……

    ——

    –

    at the light purple tip

    brings deep longing

    @Nani Mariani

  62. because of love

    i came here

    on foot

    @Nani Mariani

    ———

    dove in blue sky

    our honeymoon

    @Nani Mariani

  63. because of love
    I came here
    on foot… Nani Mariani

    running out of
    petrol memes

    esaurendo
    memi benzina

    © 2/25/21 by wendy c. bialek

  64. because of love
    I came here
    on foot… Nani Mariani

    with a song in my heart
    and a banjo on my knee

    con una canzone nel cuore
    e un banjo sulle ginocchia

    © 2/25/21 by wendy c. bialek

  65. because of love
    I came here
    on foot… Nani Mariani

    explaining the wilted
    flowers behind my back

    spiegando i fiori appassiti
    alle mie spalle

    © 2/25/21 by wendy c. bialek

  66. Congratulations Nani and thanks for your comments John
    *
    stopping to catch his breath
    after chasing his tail

    1. Thank you very much, dear Mr. John Stevenson.Thank you so much, my dear Wendy C. Bialek ❤️❤️
      and many thanks to my dear friends. ❤️❤️
      Dear John, to this day I cannot receive the HIGHEST award for making my next choice. 🕯🕯

      I love you all
      ❤️❤️❤️

      1. nani….
        se dovesse fare la differenza … sarei felice di usare google traduttore per la presentazione di tutti e la tua valutazione e commento
        per farti prendere questo onore.

  67. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    Nani Mariani

    burdensome baggage
    left in a past life
    Carol Judkins

  68. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    with a blister
    on my heel
    .
    Ellen Compton

  69. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    .
    Nani Mariani
    .
    rings on my fingers
    bells on my toes
    .
    Ellen Compton

  70. leaving with a tail
    between my legs

    partendo con una coda
    tra le mie gambe

    © 2/25/2021 by wendy c. bialek

  71. to ask father
    for your hand

    chiedere a papà
    per la tua mano

    © 2/25/2021 by wendy c. bialek

  73. wow ! what a lovely choice .. Nani, I absolutely love how it makes sense between the lines ..
    **
    and now, a question for John: in the goal of tan-renga to effect a poem like a tanka, where the effect is a comfortable sighing aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh .. ? or is it more like renga/ renku, where the effect is a subtle but unexpected !!oh!!!
    ***
    apologies for phrasing this so weirdly .. once I know, or feel I know the target, I’ll try my hand at capping .
    Nani, congrats .. ☺
    Maxianne

    2. Thank ya u so much, dear Maxianne
      I’ll try to make a tanka for entertainment
      If you don’t mind 😇😇

      thank you very much for your participation
      ❤️❤️

  74. What I love about Nani’s poem which I believe is great is that no word is without shine. A great poem is like a diamond…every faceted word shines.

  75. beacuse of love
    i came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    ready to bend down
    on one knee

    © 2/25/2021 by wendy c. bialek

    per amore
    sono venuto qui
    a piedi…

    Nani Mariani

    pronto a chinarsi
    su un ginocchio

    © 2/25/2021 di wendy c. bialek

  76. er amore
    sono venuto qui
    a piedi…

    Nani Mariani

    recuperare il ritardo
    con una farfalla

    © 25/2/2021 di wendy c. bialek

    1. correzione:

      per amore
      sono venuto qui
      a piedi…

      Nani Mariani

      recuperare il ritardo
      con una farfalla

      © 25/2/2021 di wendy c. bialek

  77. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    catching up
    with a butterfly

    © 2/25/2021 by wendy c, bialek

  78. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    on the way to you
    half moonlight half mist

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 2/25/21

    1. because of love
      I came here
      on foot…

      Nani Mariani

      on the way to you
      half moon half mist

      Michelle Beyers
      Copyright © 2/25/21

  80. a wonderfully, educational panorama display of love, in your verse choices and commentary, john.
    (thanks for seeing the humour in one of mine, too)

  81. yeah! nani……you wrote a most beautiful love verse!

    (brought back some strong memories in early
    college days…when sophomores weren’t allowed
    to have cars on campus.) thank you!

    1. si! nani …… hai scritto un bellissimo verso d’amore!

      (ha riportato alcuni ricordi forti all’inizio
      giorni del college … quando i bambini del secondo anno non erano ammessi
      avere auto nel campus.) grazie!

    2. yes, right .., dear Wendy. Visiting girlfriends, just on foot, … Those are memories from college ❤️❤️
      Thank ya u so much, dear
      thank you very much for your participation
      🌹🌹

      Thank you very much, dear John 🍎🍎

  82. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…

    Nani Mariani

    clouds becoming
    birds becoming
    clouds

    Michelle Beyers
    Copyright © 2/25/21

    1. because of love
      I came here
      on foot…

      Nani Mariani

      clouds becoming
      birds becoming clouds

      Michelle Beyers
      Copyright © 2/25/21

  83. because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    driven by a passion
    I can barely contain
    *
    moved by a passion
    only the night can contain

  84. Congratulations, Nani; this is full of untold stories and wonderful anticipatory ambiance. Thanks, John, for the comments, and for noticing one of mine.
    *

    because of love
    I came here
    on foot…
    *
    Nani Mariani
    *
    my pulse rises
    with every heartfelt step
    *

    1. Thank you so much, dear Laurie

      thank you very much for your participation
      Beautiful ❤️❤️

    1. because of love
      I came here
      on foot…

      Nani Mariani

      on the way to you
      the moon exhales the stars

      Michelle Beyers
      Copyright © 2/25/21

  86. Thank you, John, for mentioning one of mine and your insightful commentary.

    Congratulations, Nani😍 I told you already I love your verse!!

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