I’ve never attempted Renga before and I don’t know many of its intricate rules! Renga is traditionally composed by two or more poets, with a three line verse offered by one (what became standalone haiku subsequently) followed by a 2 line response by another. Written alone, it is called Solo Renga and the single poet takes on both roles.
The response usually derives its theme from the previous verse and then incorporates a shift, so the whole chain becomes fluid and while centered around one idea, keeps moving and creating new images. The five lines of verse and response (the precursor of the tanka) should fit in a way that the two lines in the middle work well with both the preceding and succeeding verse…though that, I suppose, requires some serious expertise!
Here’s my shot at Solo Renga. Share your micropoem in this or any other form using comments or Mister Linky. Start your own renga or feel free to pick up where this one stops!
Those Renga Nights
coy moon
she holds the passing mist
to her naked breast
trapped between half-light and day
a harlot, a moan, a lover
creaking garden gate-
tonight, I fear,
it’s just the wind
only the stars heard him arrive
the sun was sleeping when he left
but look how they smile-
the white lilies rest
like sated paramours
the dervish whirls in the silver dark
stirring the attar of roses
broken wine jar
people will know you, love,
when the flowers bloom
what is a tree, what is a flower
but a tree, but a flower
Tahini, this is so beautiful. filled with images and metaphors….truly a lovely solo renga!!
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Thank You …glad you liked it 🙂
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I like this solo renga. Well done Thot.
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Thanks so much Kristjaan.
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Shared a Rondelet instead.
Luv your renga Ajani; enjoyed your juxtapositions between persona and nature
Happy Saturday
much love…
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Thanks Gillena 🙂
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Amazing work! You seem quite the expert!
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Thanks Namratha 🙂
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How clandestine, and romantic ☺
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🙂 Thanks Pat !
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Wow! This is an impressive task you’ve set yourself. And although I’m only marginally familiar with this form (although I admit, I find it intriguing – the entire compose/conversation aspect) I think you’ve done wonders with it.
Lovely energy and flow – and great dynamics – the Haiku certainly has me thinking and reeling, and enjoying the sentiments of what you’ve expressed.
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Thanks so much. Glad you liked it.
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Thank you Rajani, for keeping me at this. I confess, I don’t always know what I’m doing but then love is like that, isn’t it?
Elizabeth
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Love is always like that 🙂 Thanks Elizabeth.
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Love the movement through this one, Rajani. A beautiful love poem.
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Thanks so much Sarah…
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