Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation #102 Renga with Bashō … ancient times
asks us to create a renga (or chain of verses) by following
each provided haiku by Matsuo Bashō (in blue), in any order, 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.

still summer
the harvest moon too hot
to enjoy the coolness

no relief as sun rises
its warm light on garden path

chrysanthemum flowers
bloom at the stonemason’s
between stones

burst of color against gray
dimmed by clouds crossing the sky

morning glories
in the daytime a lock lowered
on the gate

will not keep out heavy rain
as it pools in the garden

flood waters
stars too will go to sleep
on top of a rock

wait for a stonemason’s dreams
to build them up before us

plum blossom scent
since ancient times the word
has been sorrowful

raising a glass to comrades
missing those lost in battle

warriors
the bitterness of pickles
in the talk

drinking wine in the garden
sour wine fitting for the mood

Images source: Harvard Art Museums
Pot Marigold and Rashumon Flowers, by Kubo Shunman