Renhai Reflections: Seen Through

Seen Through
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (Solo)

The popping begins
as the see-through pot lid
starts to steam up.

A Segway passes my way —
one head turns, then two.

I spill my soda
on the lap of the person
I step in front of.

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0276.htm

Correction: the middle verse should read, "A Segway passes...", see:
http://tinyurl.com/5t362yj

Renhai Reflections: The Outbreak

The Outbreak
A Renhaibun by Jerry McKenzie (jm) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

These lesions on my ankle from previous exposures to neutron beams are causing greater pain than they did yesterday. Now, today, my pace across this field of rubble is much slower... my work is hampered. And under these harrowing circumstances, I don't think I'll be able to take my scheduled holiday, two days off on planet Zoria playing cricket, unless I go AWOL from the consortium and get some first-aid. But suddenly, I'm pulled out of the depths of my self-commisseration... in a stumble my foot dislodges an unfamiliar object... I pick it up, turn it over, and recognize the worn logo of a vintage Syllacon. This was a primitive device used for storing information, communicating, and delivering medical remedies, among other things. I toss the worthless relic over my shoulder but to my amazement it begins to emit a coded signal. Picking it up I find the activator is still functional and a clearful image projects holographically in front of me. The image is accompanied by an audible feed which my modern hand device, which is actually a finger ring, translates into several stanzas of verse. The lines, according to my q-ring, are similar to an old earth-style poetical form.* The first stanza of this verse brings back that chilling, sacred sound that still reverberates in my memory... as if it summons me again, perhaps this time as a supplicant to the humble apothecary stall that stands adjacent to the temple. The next day I accept a "pass" from the consortium and stow away on board a rust-ridden, bulky galactic freighter.

*swinging the mallet
he sounds the jubilation
silver gong /vs

the shrill sound of an airoz — /jm
from the midst one arises /vs

a tall falconer
extends his gauntleted
arm in receipt /jm

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0275.htm

[This is a science fiction style Renhaibun (see the notes for more details)]

Renhai Reflections: Dashing By

Dashing By
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (Solo)

A tattered flag
on the old wooden pole
flaps in the breeze.

A mouthed pinecone dashes by —
squirrel on the cedar fence.

The engineer waves
as the locomotive roars
out of the tunnel.

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0274.htm

Renhai Reflections: A Gift

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

Big hugs with
tears of joy after months
of hard effort. /vs

The tiny sparrow leaves a gift — /vs
overhead a quick cloud burst. /jt

A chick hatches
on the twenty-second day
amid the feathers. /jt

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0273.htm

[This is a variation of renhai that has never been done before. See the notes for details.]

Renhai Reflections: Tranquil Moments

Tranquil Moments
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (vs) & Gillena Cox (gc)

bathtub filling —
the yellow duck bobs between
pink islands /vs

the river's swelling banks — /vs
cobalt consumes the night sky /gc

deepening sunrise —
the traffic pileup becomes
a giant snail march /gc

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0272.htm

Renhai Reflections: Feline Follies

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

Can opener —
a purring, furry brush
against my leg. /vs

The pulled-back bed covers — /vs
the cat burrows deeper. /jt

"Nascar track" -
a paw under the couch swipes
the racing dog. /jt

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0270.htm

[This renhai is the sixth and final in a six-part series... check the notes for details.]

Renhai Reflections: Ups and Downs

Ups and Downs
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (vs) & Janice Thomson (jt)

First warm day —
his tongue round and round
an ice-cream cone. /jt

Ripples on snow-melt puddles — /vs
an icicle disappears. /jt

Riding up
toward Eiffel's top —
warm breeze. /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0269.htm

[This renhai is the fifth in a six-part series... check the notes for details.]

Renhai Reflections: Hurry Scurry

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

Breakfast dishes
remain on the table —
banana peels. /vs

The pulled-back bed covers - /vs
kimono half on the floor. /jt

Tax appointment —
on the hood of the car
my coffee cup. /jt

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0268.htm

[This renhai is the fourth in a six-part series... check the notes for details.]

Renhai Reflections: Softly a Tear

Softly a Tear
A Renhai by Gillena Cox (gc) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

a flower unfurls
yesterday's bud now blossomed —
the roosters' silence /gc

Japan's pain echoes throughout — /gc
the flag hoisted to haft-mast /vs

the sound of crickets —
opening her letter once more,
her words bring tears /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0267.htm

[This is the first recorded renhai that used the Reverse Split method (see the notes for details).]

Renhai Reflections: Slowly, Surely

Slowly, Surely
A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (vs) & Janice Thomson (jt)

After ten minutes
I leave the tanning bed —
white-circled eyes. /jt

Ripples on snow-melt puddles — /vs
the roof soaks up the sun. /jt

I start to doze off
in the bubbling hot tub —
page twenty-five... /vs

Click here for notes and linking details:
http://cflat7.drivehq.com/Renhai_0266.htm

[This renhai is the third in a six-part series... check the notes for details.]