all the day long-
yet not long enough for the skylark,
singing, singing
into the dusky shadows
raindrops on wings of song-flight
the dragonfly
can’t quite land
on that blade of grass
still soaked from summer showers
bent with its liquid burden
autumn moonlight–
a worm digs silently
into the chestnut
lured by the dampness of soil
musty autumn aroma
I’m a wanderer
so let that be my name –
the first winter rain
liquid drops turn to crystals
a white sheet for the cold earth
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694) Kim M. Russell, 4th September 2018
My response to Carpe Diem’s Renga With Basho #7 I’m a wanderer
It’s a new episode of Carpe Diem’s Renga With Basho, the special feature in which we create a renga together with the master, from six of his haiku, choosing our own sequence and creating two-lined stanzas between them. Our renga must have a minimum of six stanzas and may have a maximum of twelve. We should also try to create a closed chain, connecting the hokku (starting verse) and the ageku (closing verse).
The six haiku by Basho have been translated by Robert Hass:
all the day long-
yet not long enough for the skylark,
singing, singing
by the old temple,
peach blossoms;
a man treading rice
the shallows –
a crane’s thighs splashed
in cool waves
I’m a wanderer
so let that be my name –
the first winter rain
the dragonfly
can’t quite land
on that blade of grass.
autumn moonlight–
a worm digs silently
into the chestnut
Matsuo Basho (1644-1694)
Wow what a wonderful renga you have created together with the master. I think he would have applaud you.
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Thank you very much for your kind comments, Kristjaan.
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This is beautiful. I love this style.
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Thank you, Ava.
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Brava… (@–>–) (@–>–) (@–>–)
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Thank you, Dorna!
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