Something we can try- Japanese Collaborative Poetry Game: Haikai

[Lin Neiswender]

Something we can try once our we finish our July madness- Haikai, the Japanese collaborative poetry game http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Haikai-(Collaborative-Poetry-Game), kind of alternating 3 line, 2 line verses with some specific rules to start you off. Sounds like a lot of fun. Here's what Wiki says about it:

"Haikai collaborative poetry (aka renku, or renga) has a long history in Japan, where it combines aspects of game-play with literature.[1] It's a fun and creative group activity which is becoming popular in the west in recent years. You don't need to be a poet to play!

The plan below is for a 12-verse haikai, but there are many other plans (up to 100 verses, if you and your writing partner(s) are feeling energetic!)."


Seasons, Songs & Earthtones

Hibiscus blushes
Red in hot sun, glimmering
Clouds approach after noon

Sky looms, heavy with rain
Yellow grass awaits refreshment

Mysterious moon beams
gather into ghostly mists
waiting in dark

Soft holy white light caress,
The only truth you'll never know,

White cascades over black
Covering all, protecting all
Love prevails

Darkness with hate entwines
Bare branches with red buds bursting

Roses lend their fragrance
To spring's splendor
New life, new blood, new wine

Lazy sun lapping up lavish liquids,
its birthright

Its melody unfurling,
virgin petals
weeping for the first time

Night's blackness gently quiets songs,
Day's music rests awhile.

[Lin Neiswender]

Carol- got no clue. Maybe 2 or 3 passes? And thanks...

BTW Dabs has a wedding and her art opening this weekend and says to pass her if she doesn't get to her turn in a reasonable time.

[Lin Neiswender]

Anyone who would like to try this is welcome to experiment with us, just add your name so we know who to send it to.

[Carol Clark]

I'm in...! I've never experimented before with this, and would love to try.

Thanks!

[Lin Neiswender]

So that's me, Anne, Camille, Dan and Carol so far.

[Anne Westlund]

I'm not sure I'm doing this right, here's my next lines:

Hibiscus blushes
Red in hot sun, glimmering
Clouds approach after noon

Sky looms, heavy with rain
Yellow grass awaits refreshment

Mysterious moon beams
gather into ghostly mists
waiting in dark

Soft holy white light caress,
The only truth you'll never know,

White cascades over black
Covering all, protecting all
Love prevails

Darkness with hate entwines
Bare branches with red buds bursting

Roses lend their fragrance
To spring's splendor
New life, new blood, new wine

[Lin Neiswender]

Sounds good Anne! Since Camille is out for the day, I'm passing this off to Dan...

[Barbara Ann Storrier]

You all are awesome!

[Lin Neiswender]

Barb you wanna pinch hit for Camille???

[Dan Goodwin]

I'll hold fire to see if you want to step in off the subs bench Barb...

[Camille]

OK I am back now! But if it is getting too confusing, I will let Barb and Dan do their bit, unless they prefer to pass it back to me, Lin! Thanks to all of you terrific pinch hitters! : )

[Lin Neiswender]

Camille I already asked Barb so let's give her a chance to reply. I didn't think you'd be back on. How did everything go this weekend? Do you have photos of the opening?

[Camille]

Hello there, Lin!

I did not get to the opening after all. I had some very uncomfortable health challenges from all the flowers, perfume, scented candles at the wedding, so I did not want to get into a similar situation at the opening...

It was worth it. I got to see my most favorite relatives. The wedding was a joyful day...thank God the symptoms did not get too bad until after getting home that night!

It was a day of stormy torrential downpours here yesterday.
I took photos of the pouring rains to soothe my disappointment at needing to pass up the reception.

The photos are posted at my new Rainy Day Doin's blog...The photos came out surprisingly terrifical (to me),so the day was not at all a washout!

Love Camille