Renhai Reflections 63: Whiteout

Whiteout
A Renhai by Janice Thomson (jt) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

Blustery winds —
I move the garbage can
closer to the wall. /jt

Pines plastered with seafoam — /vs
along the shore whitecaps break. /jt

Post blizzard —
a snowplow leaves a bank
past the driveway. /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0110.htm

Renhai Reflections 62: Endeavouring Further

Endeavouring Further
A Renhai by Ron Seward & Vaughn Seward

Block & tackle —
the wagon box raised
onto the wheels.

North face ascent —
we tackle the last leg.

A new lure
for his tackle box —
will it help?

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0109.htm

[The idea behind this Renhai was conceived by Ron (father of Vaughn). He proposed using a word with several meanings (homonym) and have it appear in each of the three verses. Check the notes for further details about how this Renhai was written and some background info about each verse.]

Renhai Reflections 61: Shifting

"The main feature of all Japanese linked poetry is shifting: Shifting from place to place, action to action, mood to mood. There is no sustained narrative or setting as in most long poems of European tradition." (The Haiku Seasons by William J. Higginson, p. 46)

Renhai is based on principles of Japanese linked poetry including the shifting that William Higginson here speaks of. The concept of "theme" in Renhai, however, is intended to pull together a Renhai's verses and to create something that is more than a collection of three linked verses.

Renhai Reflections 60: Festive Expectations

Festive Expectations
A Renhai by John Daleiden (jd) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

Our last delivery
this quiet festive eve —
hugs and cheer. /vs

Coal and ash for our stockings — /jd
stomach in knots all night. /vs

An empty cookie plate
near the tree and wrap —
Christmas Morning. /jd

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0108.htm

[This Renhai was written with John Daleiden of Arizona who is one of the editors of Sketchbook. John was one of the early pioneers of Renhai and has written numerous Renhai including several with me; see his list Renhai here in the Archive of Writers.]

Renhai Reflections 59: The Night Before

The Night Before
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (vs) & Janice Thomson (jt)

Winter bedtime —
the last child tucked in
for the night. /vs

Rising smoke from chimneys — /vs
distant mountain veiled in fog. /jt

Blazing fire —
children's gifts wrapped between
sips of cocoa /jt

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0107.htm

Renhai Reflections 58: The Year Passed

The Year Passed
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward & Ron Seward

A tattered kite
hangs high in the elm —
chilly wind.

A snowdrift covers
the pool's shallow end.

Almost hidden,
a wasp's nest in the feeder —
old thresher.

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0106.htm

[This renhai was written with my father, Ron Seward, at a face-to-face coffee meeting today. The work is unique in two ways, please check the notes for details.]

Renhai Reflections 57: Tiny Points

Tiny Points
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (Solo)

Through branches
of willow: festive lights
from their house.

Moonlight on the frost
in shoots of wild grass.

Points of brightness
dot the heavenly dome
above this meadow.

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0105.htm

Renhai Reflections 56: Stirred

Stirred
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (Solo)

An autumn wind
lashes the last rose
on the bush.

Home alone... a noise
downstairs stirs my heart.

Rustling sound —
every sparrow flees
except one.

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0104.htm

Renhai Reflections 55: Through Air and Space

Through Air and Space
A Renhai by Zhanna P. Rader (zh.r) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

25th story —
a dragonfly ascends
still higher... /zh.r

Some gossamer drifts up... /zh.r
through a tree house window. /vs

Space station —
another piece from earth
put in place. /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0103.htm

[This Renhai was written with Zhanna P. Rader who was an early Rehai pioneer and was actually involved in writing the first Renhai with me.

Note: Check the notes for info about gossamer and some important linking information.]

Renhai Reflections 54: Moving Along

Moving Along
A Renhai by Jerry McKenzie (jm) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

Water trough race —
the crumple-horned boss prods
the other cows. /jm

The conductor tips his baton — /vs & jm
an oom-pah-pah from the tuba. /jm & vs

Rush hour —
a guy on a cell phone
blasts his horn. /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0102.htm

[The crumple-horned reference is explained in the notes as well as a description of a unique aspect in the writing of this Renhai.]

Renhai Reflections 53: Winter Romance

Winter Romance
A Renhai by Janice Thomson (jt) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

On the frigid lake
pushing a homemade iceboat
his eyes meet mine. /jt

Down the hill on cardboard, /vs
her foot entangles his. /jt

I meet the girl
from class while skating at
the frozen creek. /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0101.htm

[This is a spin-off of Renhai 100, see the notes for more information.]

Renhai Reflections 52: Frozen Fun

Frozen Fun
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (vs) & Janice Thomson (jt)

Our family
goes out to skate on
the frozen creek. /vs

Down the hill on cardboard, /vs
a boot comes tumbling after. /jt

On the frigid lake
my brother nudges our
homemade iceboat. /jt

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0100.htm

Renhai Reflections 51: Autumn's End

Autumn's End
A Renhai by Yvonne Myers (ym) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

Dying leaves
from a fragrant tree fall on
the welcome mat. /ym

Clouds heavy with snow — /vs
mouths of children open, waiting /ym

First flakes —
a young girl marks out
a happy face. /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0099.htm

[Yvonne Myers is the moderator of the Off-the-wall "haiku" group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/offthewallhaiku/

We have written rengay and other projects together since 2007.]

Renhai Reflections 50: Chilling Portents

Chilling Portents
A Renhai by Janice Thomson (jt) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

Maple tree —
through silent branches
crisper winds. /jt

Deepening morning fog — /jt
cackle of south-flying geese. /vs

Each afternoon
the sun dips earlier —
distant range. /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0098.htm