leavings       a collection of left-over poems       John Bailey      

 

Renga #1

I like to think of a Renga as a conversation
between two haiku writers, each in turn making
a haiku in response to the one that preceded it.
There's a lot more to formal renga making than
that but I'm happy for now to treat it this way.
This is an example, written by Michelle Slagle Noel
and myself during April-June 2000.

from the balcony
I spy a laughing pup. Or,
does he spy me first?
msn
back legs running
front legs walking
     laughing puppy
jb
proud window cat
frowns down --
     Dignity! hrmph.
msn
lighted window
through silent trees
     welcome
jb
reflected trees --
     guests
     on my dining room walls
msn
departed guests
leave shadow scents
     silent table
jb
unwashed sheets
     your scent lingers
     another day
msn
first grey light
through steamy window
     a new day
jb
sun breaks
grey clouds
     rainbow
msn
from the balcony
     laughing rainbows
     across the street
jb


Copyright 2000 Michelle Slagle Noel, John Bailey

 

Somerset 2000

 

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