Still Cold
melting snow
in afternoon sun
nights still cold
breath in the crisp air
fogging my glasses
frosted panes
see only shadows
drifting by
waterfowl swimming
in ice-jammed river
dark shadows
stray geese overhead
seeking food
sparrows at feeder
still cold and hungry
This solo renga is my response to
Frank Tassone’s #Haikai Challenge #177: Still Cold.
Images ~ 18 February 2021
The Moreau River in Missouri (snow covered)
The Missouri River at Jefferson City, Missouri
such a hot day
my shadow needs to cool down
under the willow
Kyoshi Takahama
dappled sunlight on the grass
beneath all-embracing arms
Carpe Diem Tan Renga Wednesday #17 asks us to use
a haiku by Kyoshi Takahama (in blue) to create a tanka.
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
Carpe Diem Tan Renga Wednesday – White Crane asks us to use
a haiku by Kikaku (in blue) to create a tanka.
how I wish to call
a white crane from Fukei,
but for this cold rain.
Kikaku
waiting for a break in clouds
to deliver good fortune
A crane is said to symbolize good fortune, balance, and happiness.
Image source: ukiyo-e.org – Crane and Waves, by Baiso
(right click image for larger view in new tab)
one starry night
to make that one painting –
the rustling leaves
© Chèvrefeuille
branches sway in gentle breeze
starlight twinkling in their wake
stargazing poet
would be stargazing painter
inspired by the night
nature’s canvas in the sky
with myriad points of light
brilliant distraction
moon rising above the trees
such inspiration
leaves dancing before the moon
silhouetted by its light
framed by counterpoints
lights much closer than the stars
planets in the night
shifting shades of red and blue
sparkling in a star filled sky
so much to choose from
all these heavenly bodies
wonder where to start
shooting star in star filled sky
the first of many brushstrokes
Carpe Diem Weekend Meditation #107 Soliloquy no Renga … one starry night offers a haiku by Chèvrefeuille (in blue) to be followed by subsequent links of a renga by the responding poet, with a minimum of six links. A “closed chain” is attained when the hokku (starting verse) and ageku (closing verse) connect in a way to make “the circle” complete.
This is my response.
Photos: Hunter’s Moon, 13 October 2019
Star image: The Galaxy Above, © Rodrigo Guerra, via Astronomy Picture of the Day
Carpe Diem #1697 Renga with Jane Reichhold … placing the flute
asks us to create a renga (or chain of verses) by following
each provided haiku by Jane Reichhold (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.
dancing on the beach
I jab a stick into the sky
to break up the blue
sun giving way to shadow
welcome relief of evening
days so complete
words become the calls of birds
the high tide wind
carries the scent of sea foam
mingling with all most pleasant
wind perfumed
from a woman’s shoulder
desert night
carried across the mountains
like a song riding the breeze
placing the flute
against her lips something
slips into place
a tune that piques the senses
with charms that arouse desire
moon white water
lovers in the secret cove
Saturday night
long hours gazing at the stars
wisdom reaching through the years
I’m not old
all night my eyes have held
the ancient stars
until deep dark of night sky
yields to light of morning’s blue
Images source: pexels.com / Dominika Roseclay
Carpe Diem #1671 Tan Renga – lightning flash asks us to use
a haiku by Bashō (in blue) to create a tanka.
lightning flash–
what I thought were faces
are plumes of pampas grass
Bashō
reflecting the many lines
forming on this aging face
Image source: ukiyo-e.org
Japanese Pampas Grass, by Kono Hairei
Carpe Diem #1668 Tan Renga – flower fragrance asks us to use
a haiku by Jane Reichhold (in blue) to create a tanka.
coming to sea cliffs
the off shore breeze raises
a flower fragrance
© Jane Reichhold
joined by rainbow of color
true delight for the senses
Image source: British Museum
Satta Peak, Coast of Oya-shirazu,
by Utagawa Hiroshige
Carpe Diem #1669 Tan Renga – white crane asks us to use a haiku by Kikaku (in blue) – written to comfort Basho shortly before his death – to be used to create a tanka.
How I wish to call
A white crane from Fukei
But for this cold rain
Kikaku
so little light to be found
when under such a dark cloud
Image source: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Crane Flying over Wave, by Utagawa Hiroshige
Carpe Diem #1667 Tan Renga – Hibiscus Red
asks us to use a haiku by Raymond Roseliep (in blue)
to be used to create a tanka.
unable
to get hibiscus red
the artist eats the flower
© Raymond Roseliep
jam on toast for light breakfast
complimented with mild tea
Image source: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Yellow Hibiscus, by Utagawa Hiroshige
Carpe Diem #1665 Tan Renga – “Miscanthus bud”
asks us to use a haiku by Matsuo Bashō (in blue)
to be used to create a tanka.
another year is gone
a traveler’s shade on my head,
straw sandals at my feet
Bashō
journey of inspiration
in lessons learned from strangers
Image source: Wikimedia Commons
from Yoshitoshi’s Hundred Aspects of the Moon
