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
THOUGHT PURGE 