Logged Tree

logged tree
see the larger cut end is
a harvest moon
­                                                                   pale rings of age radiate
­                                                                   no need to light lanterns yet
on a bare branch
a crow settled down
autumn evening
­                                                                   folding black feather shadows
­                                                                   around the end of the day
still alive
under the slightness of my hat
enjoying the coolness
­                                                                   dreams drift on the scent of pine
­                                                                   seeping from my logged tree pillow

­                                                                   Kim M. Russell, 28^th June 2018

My response to Carpe Diem’s Renga Challenge #2 logged tree

The ‘Renga Challenge’ is to create a renga with at least six and a maximum of twelve stanzas, using given haiku and writing the two-lined stanzas (7-7 syllables approximately) in between to complete the renga. We may use the haiku in any order we like.

For this second ‘Renga Challenge’, we have six haiku written by Basho, translated by Jane Reichhold:

still alive
under the slightness of my hat
enjoying the coolness

rainy season
sea glow lights held up
by the night watchman

logged tree
see the larger cut end is
a harvest moon

the blue sea
in waves smelling of saké
tonight’s full moon

early summer rain
the green of a rock cypress
lasting how long

on a bare branch
a crow settled down
autumn evening

© Basho (Tr. Jane Reichhold)