Synapses: A Triptych Renhai
By Jacob Shaver and John Daleiden
1
an uplifted fist
poised to strike unblemished flesh—
a voice cries out
sunlight after the monsoon
at noon a sudden darkness —
seeking refuge
in the house of corruption
secrets unleashed
2
the glassblower’s breath
rounds a long-necked vase—
fragile wares for sale
few rise with the sun
silence before a bell toll—
a hit in the ninth
of a no-hitter—
the eagle takes flight
3
nothing that’s not there
and the nothing that is . . .
a fragrant breeze
rainbow-light refraction
the abyss . . . larger
electric moments
between Sistine fingertips—
a fault line trembles
_________________________
Theme: Emergence
Kigo (Spring): “fragrant breeze” in The Haiku Handbook: How to Write, Share, and Teach Haiku. William J. Higgenson with Penny Harter. New York: Kodansha International, 1985, p. 267.
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/renhai/info
Renhai, invented by Canadian Vaughn Seward, is a three verse, two person collaborative haiku poem. Unlike renku (constructed in a similar manner, however, not themed) renhai is a three verse themed poem with each of the verses linking to each other on some common theme. Verses one and three are three line haiku composed by one or the other collaborator. Both partners compose one line of the middle two line haiku verse. Both Renhai and Haiku are nature image centered poems.
“Synapses” is a three verse haiku poem composed in the manner of an art work. A triptych from the Greek adjective τρίπτυχον ("three-fold"), is a work of art (usually a panel painting) that is divided into three sections.
John Daleiden: daleidenj@yahoo.com
Jacob Shaver: jacobedits@gmail.com
Very well done. much enjoyed. best wishes. Pete.
ReplyDeleteAwesome collaborative work that I have read here today..Wonderful explanation of how to write it..Sara
ReplyDeleteIntriguing piece here... a triumphant trifecta.
ReplyDeleteDear John and Jacob,
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a treasure when talented artists are willing to impart some of their knowledge too. Thank you for sharing this wonderful collaboration with us. It was a pleasure to see you already have two appreciative comments. Welcome to Whispers Jacob!
Blessings and best wishes,
Karen
Guess it was three as Michael submitted his comments while I was still pondering mine. Congratulations on the wonderful response to your collaboration! Thank you for sharing your words.
DeleteKaren
Jacob and John this is a superb collaborative effort and thank you so much for the explanation of Renhai. You did a great job of linking the verses. Thank you for sharing your talent.
ReplyDeleteCharlene
Hi there! Love the common denominator here striking the nerve ending of the subject and the reader, too. Excellent collaboration into a depth which challenges a single writer, not alone two of you. This really shows some mind searching and yet, I can see the great fun in the challenge! Love it! Sheri / www.poetryandbeyond.net
ReplyDeleteGreat collaboration! My congratulations to both of you!
ReplyDeleteGert
The evolution goes on. Thanks for the update in such a delightful way. Looking for more. Ron Grognet
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Thanks for sharing, Jacob and John. Continued blessings!
ReplyDelete-MJ (www.tgbtgpubllictions.com)
Jacob and John,
ReplyDeleteThese are some great pieces of work. Congratulations and a welcome to Jacob to Whispers!
Your new friend,
David Fox
This is an excellent collaboration. Short writes like these are among my favourite poetry forms and when well tackled they make for enjoyable reading. [the footnotes are an added bonus.] Congratulations to both John & Jacob. // paul
ReplyDeleteThank you, David Austin, for the following--
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed these sensitive haiku, my favorite form. Love, Dave