The challenge for Carpe Diem’s Renga with Basho #7 I’m a wanderer is to create a renga (or chain of verses) by following each provided haiku by Bashō (here in blue italics – tr. Robert Hass) 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.
I’m a wanderer
so let that be my name –
the first winter rain
shelter and meal served by friends
wine warms me for my travels
all the day long-
yet not long enough for the skylark,
singing, singing
my voice not as melodic
carried away by the wind
the dragonfly
can’t quite land
on that blade of grass
watching reeds sway back and forth
making ripples in the pond
the shallows –
a crane’s thighs splashed
in cool waves
frog splashing in quick retreat
thankful for gift of freedom
by the old temple,
peach blossoms;
a man treading rice
daily routine brings rewards
thoughts of meal at end of day
autumn moonlight–
a worm digs silently
into the chestnut
meal and warmth in one bundle
no travels in store for him
Images
Museum of Fine Arts Boston (Japanese postcard)
Metropolitan Museum of Art – Skylarks and Primroses, by Kubo Shunman
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