Renga Request - Jim Wilson's Blog

<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>I would like to ask that Poetry Soup include the form “Renga” in their list of forms.&nbsp; Many poets are writing renga these days.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Here is a possible write-up for the form:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Renga, also known as “Renku”, means “linked verse”.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>A Japanese form, renga consists of a non-narrative series of verses, alternating three and two lines, usually written by a group of poets, though solo renga are also done.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The number of verses can be as few as 12 or as many as 100.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>The basic rule is that any two consecutive verses should form a complete image, but any three consecutive verses should not.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>All renga contain verses focused on seven topics: spring, summer, fall, winter, the moon, blossoms, and love.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>There are rules for the placement of these topics.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Verses which are not topic specific are open to the poet’s imagination.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </SPAN>Two of the great renga poets in Japan were Sogi, who wrote 100 verse renga, and Basho, who specialized in the 36 verse form.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Calibri>&nbsp;</FONT></o:p></SPAN></P> <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Thanks to Poetry Soup for your consideration in this request.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P> <P>&nbsp;</P>

Date: 5/26/2009 4:56:00 PM Hi Jim, I hope you emailed Poetry Soup directly with this request. The staff is usually good about getting back with a timely response. Karen Login to Reply

L'Nass Shango Date: 5/26/2009 11:39:00 AM I can see the soup tagging people in this cooperative enterprise. Love it. Login to Reply

Debbie Guzzi Date: 5/26/2009 9:12:00 AM This would be perfect fun for a group poem! Light & Love Login to Reply

Carol Sunshine Brown Date: 5/26/2009 8:49:00 AM I truly hope they give you an answer soon. Love, Carol Login to Reply

Vince Suzadail Jr. Date: 5/25/2009 1:39:00 PM Sounds like more than a reasonable request. There are so many talented writers on this site, I'm surprised that this hasn't popped up before. God Bless. Vince Login to Reply