The challenge for Carpe Diem #1512 Chiyo-Ni … THE female haiku master (Renga with…) is to create a renga (or chain of verses) by following each provided haiku by Fukuda Chiyo-Ni (here in blue italics) with two lines. A “closed chain” is attained when the hokku (starting verse) and ageku (closing verse) connect in a way to make “the circle” complete.
morning glory!
the well bucket-entangled,
I ask for water
a favor received follows
lifetime of favors given
to listen,
fine not to listen, fine too…
nightingale
discerning ear understands
birdsong appreciated
sound of things
dropping from the tree–
autumn wind
adding years like fallen leaves
lauding all they have given
a single spider’s thread
ties the duckweed
to the shore
a hand extended, respect
beauty like age, perception
a dandelion
now and then interrupting
the butterfly’s dream
thoughts more agile than actions
limitations while aging
parents older than I
are now my children
the same cicadas
longer years bring shorter days
a bucket slowly empties
Images
Wikimedia Commons – Chiyo-Ni standing beside a well, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Museum of Fine Arts Boston – Parent and Child, by Katsushika Taito II
Hard to pick a favorite part of this. The last two lines are just right for all that comes before. (K)
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🙂 Thank you, Kerfe. It seemed just right for the haiku prior to it. Once written, I realized it makes a good summation.
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I especially love the last two lines Ken, they complete a beautiful circle 💜
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Thank you, Xenia.
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I love those final lines, Ken!
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Thanks, Kim!
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Amazing … what a wonderful renga. You made it into a very strong story full of emotions. I agree with the others … your ‘ ageku’ is really wonderfull and completes the renga as a kind of epitome. Chapeau … a masterpiece to honor Chiyo-Ni.
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Thank you, kind sir.
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Beautiful acceptance of aging (maybe of more, but my aging mind latched onto that aspect – happily,)
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Thank you.
I’m not obsessed with it (yet!), but it’s something that’s more on my mind these days.
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Ah, such Fabulousness! (@–>–)
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Thank you!
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I agree with others about how the whole thing flows together, but the final line really tie it together. You are so good at this!
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Thank you, Merril. While time consuming – within the constraint of a narrow window of time, prompt-wise – I do enjoy working on these.
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