A few months ago, my cousin Sagan and I started working together on a Renga poem. Although poetry isn’t her favorite, we enjoyed collaborating! I’m sure you’ll agree she did amazing! Sagan is in college in northern Missouri and usually writes non-fiction. If we had more time, our poem would be longer. Sagan’s dad, Jeff (my first cousin), and I shared many great summers on the Finley River with our family! My love for nature is only third behind my Savior and family! I hope you enjoy our *Renga, the River of Life!
There’s something about rivers. The Taneycomo, Buffalo, Yellowstone, & Snake,…Roaring River, Current, the Duwamish, and Rio Grande. Missouri, Mississippi, the Chena, and Payette. North Fork and South Fork to Jack Forks and back home to Finley. Even the muddy James has my heart.
I’m grateful for the river of life flowing through me!
Do you know how loved you are? I pray that the rivers of your life flow free with love & good health. Perhaps even poetically & collaboratively, just like a Renga!
Have hope. Keep the faith, my friends. 💚
***The genre was elevated to a literary art by Nijō Yoshimoto (二条良基, 1320–1388), who compiled the first imperial renga anthology Tsukubashū (菟玖波集) in 1356. The most famous renga master was Sōgi (宗祇, 1421–1502), and Matsuo Bashō (松尾芭蕉, 1644–1694) after him became the most famous haikai master. Renga sequences were typically composed live during gatherings of poets, transcribed oral sessions known as rengakai (連歌会), but could also be composed by single poets as mainly textual works. (Renga, 2026)***
Source:
Renga. (2026, Janurary 15). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renga
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Excellent! ❤️
Thank you!
I’ve read this kind of poetry before. It has a familiar renga to it.
LOL! Tippy! That’s awesome, lol! SO good to ‘see’ you my friend! THANK YOU!
Wouldn’t it be nice to be floating down one of those rivers you mentioned, right now?
It ABSOLUTELY would, Tippy. I was hoping to have this published before now. But the timing was great because it gives me sweet spring and summer memories. Time is flowing as fast as some of these rivers. To me, floating peacefully down the river is therapeutic!
Well, spring is only two months away. So those sweet spring and summer times are drawing near again.
YAY!
Interesting form. Though I was an English major in college, I have never heard of it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Pastor Pete! I appreciate you!!
A great collaboration, Karla. I love your Ranga. It is so nice you could do it with a family member. Rivers are wonderful subjects for poetry. Keep up the good work!
Thank you, Dwight! I always appreciate your support and feedback! I’m so happy to see you!! God bless you!
And you as well, my friend! Thank you.
It’s my blessing! Thank you!
Every day is a learning process; thank you for sharing this and teaching us about this poetry form. God bless you today sister 🙏
God bless you, Alan! Thank you so much for your support and prayers. It’s good to be “here” and to read your words, brother! 🙏🏻
FROM: Murphy’s Law
Beautiful Karla. Flowing water can be so soothing. Rivers are so picturesque. Congratulations on your collaboration with your cousin. You make quite a team. Thanks for sharing this.
ginger🦋❤️
Ginger, I’m so happy you’re here. I think and pray for you daily! Thank you for being YOU. Your support and love have carried me down some of these rivers, my friend. Finn and I love you. ❤️🙏🏻❤️
I consider myself fortunate to have ‘gone floating’ on Ozarks rivers with both of these poets, some of the greatest times in my life. I love you two ladies, nice work!
What a beautiful collaboration! ❤️ I love this! And this line-beautiful!
THE WIND HUMS HEAVENLY HYMNS
LEADING TO PATHS LESS TRAVELED
Thank you, Kelley!! You’re one of my favorite poets and your words make me smile! How precious! When I walk in the woods, I always feel the wind is singing me hymns! Sendng love and prayers, dear friend. ❤️🙏🏻
❤️
Beautifully written!!❤️
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone
JEFFIE!!! I appreciate you so MUCH!!! Thank you! ❣️❣️❣️🤗
Hi Karla, Ah haiku – I had never heard of Renga before today. Yours/Sagan\’s followed the rules I found. Cool!Here\’s another haiku for you: I\’ll try to do this:I think my haiku needs help!Refrigerator.
Brent! I’m giggling! LOL! You crack me up, dear friend. Thank you for sharing. And I will NOT critque your poem–it follows the “recipe” just perfectly! LOL!
You did a great job,
Don’t stop practicing your skill,
NET diet only.
How’s that one?? Tee hee.
Hi Karla! I had never heard of renga either. It sounds like it would be a lot of fun to write with someone. I pray you and Finley are well and keeping warm! Henry and I send our love and prayers! 🙏💕🐾
Cindy, Finn and I feel the love from you 2 and we are sending it to you both as well!
I had never heard of it before we started either! But the “Haiku” is a relative as you probably could see in it! It’s really neat.
I began the poem with the “Haiku-like” 5-7-5 and the 7-7 verse written by Sagan. The 5-7-5, from what I understood, evolved from the Tanka (5-7-5-7-7)! Most are 36 stanzas. Between our schedules and brains, we did our best! To think it’s been going for 700 years! Amazing!
Please take care and my prayers continue for you both! ❣️🤗❣️🐾
Thank you, sweet friend. Many blessings!
❄️🥶💚💚🙏🙏🙏 we love you!
Karla, I’m praying that you don’t lose power! Mine is still on. Is yours? How is Finley handling all this snow? Henry hates it! 🙏🐾💕
So far, so good! Finn does NOT want to go potty–I never really watched a forecast–but would check the weather app? We got about a Finley and 1/2 high? It’s snowing a bit. Power is good! It’s actually beautiful! But very cold! Please tell Henry that Finley understands! We love you both and hope you stay warm and safe! God bless yoU! ❤️❄️🐾❣️🙏🏻🤗
💕
Don’t think there are too many rivers flowing here today, 15 degrees and feels like 5! But the Holy Spirit is present and that is the best part. My Husky is outside on the porch soaking up the cold. If I bring her in she wants to go right back out. MY mini goldendoodle is content to stay inside with me, although she does like romping in the snow and presently it is clear up to her little backside. Keeping you in my prayers.
Maryann
Aw, Maryann, bless your hearts. You and your precious doggies! I bet there aren’t many flowing.
It prepared me for what’s coming? But nothing like all of you, others, and my family in Fairbanks are feeling!
God bless you! THANK YOU For keeping me in your prayers.
Praise for the Holy Spirit to stay in us and give us the warmth of presence!
This is really lovely!
Thank you, MAK! That means SO MUCH coming from YOU! Finn and I love you 3 SO much!! ❣️🐾🐾🐾❣️🤗
🐩🐾🐻❄️🧸❤️
Hi, Karla, good to see you! I hope you are doing good, dear. The poem is great, Sanga did a very good job indeed! I like rivers and actually all types of water bodies. We are living close to a river, when even it is not as scenic as the one in your image. I like rivers that much that we even built our own little brook in our garden. I love the sound of the water. It calms and energizes at the same time 💖
Erika, it’s so precious and heartwarming to see your peaceful and beautiful face. Your words are always poetry to me!
The sound of water is so calming! How wonderful you live close to a river.
I pray you are well, sweet sister. ❣️❣️🙏🏻
Thank you, Karla, I always enjoy seeing you and feeling your loving and embracing energy. You are truly balm for our souls 💖
All is well and I am consciously thankful for that. I hope you are doing good 💖Sending you big hugs, dear friend 🫶
You’re welcome, Erika. I feel the love and hugs. I’m doing the best possible given it all. I believe we all are battling so much in this broken world. Love is the only way. I’m happy to be a balm to you–you are to me too! Thank you, sweet friend. ❣️🤗❣️
Oh, well, yes, difficult times and impossible to understand with our ethics and rationality. We will make it. There is no other option.
Thank you for your beautiful vibes. You have no idea how much they are coming over through your words. A pure soul flowing 💖
Thinking of you!
Thank you, M.B.! As the world turns, new shifts in life,…LIFE! It’s not easy, but God promised HE’D never leave nor forsake!
I’m thinking of you and sending love and hugs, dear friend. ❣️🙏🏻
Oh I love your rengay poem with your cousin Karla! How beautiful. Sending love and hugs my dear friend!!! xxxoo
C, I love you, big sister! Thank you so much for your precious words, love, and hugs! I miss you! Your support means so much to me! I was just telling John how many wonderful poets are here in this community–you being one of them!! I learn so much from all of you! XOXO
a beautifully realized poem; I can feel the tranquility , the two voices in unison 🙂
Thank you, John! I appreicate you so much! I have the best poet friends here, like you, in which to learn and practice! Many hugs!❣️🤗
Beautiful poem! Says so much
Thank you precious, Sue, I love you so much! ♥️❤️❤️
Great post Karla. There is something about water, an energy from it that recognizes our own within. It doesn’t matter if by sea, river or just a muddy puddle…we have to play in it, touch it, watch it 🤗
And alas, I don’t know of Renga. But I hear its beautiful words in this that you have both written together. Again that river of words make it heard and flow well kind lady ❤️
Big hugs from across the blue to you and Finn, and hope you are both well. Summer is still speaking over here, even if a bit too much with the occasional 40+ to dare us into some ‘water’. See, it saves us no matter where or when we are 🤣
And the 49’ers saved their worst till last. But besides that there has been some great games. Leads changing every moment. Mind you, and speaking of water, that frozen water (snow), must make it difficult to play 😂
Anyway, much love coming over with a few extra degree’s of warmth by the dolphin couriers kind lady, and I pray also that your inner flow is balanced lovingly too. Thank you for the share 🤗🤣🛵🥾🌟🐾🦓🎶🦢🦋🕊️🐬🐳❤️🙏
Mark, your words always make me smile!
Thank you, dear friend!
I’ll always be in awe of God! In our big beautiful world, you’re in summer, I’m here in winter~water flowing warm there and freezing there ~
We’re grounded to this big ball in one galaxy (and too many others to count)! And we’re sending hugs and messages across this big string and two cups across the big blue! Lol
It seems the big freeze could be headed our way this weekend.
Other blogging friends can’t get a relief from the freeze!
You’d have to catch the 49’ers here in their state as the shock might hurt worse in other places after being used to the Down Under weather, Mark!
Finn and I send our love and prayers always! February is coming and chocolate might be if dolphins get a break to join us! Tee hee! Did you “see” our precious Ginger here? 🙏♥️🥰🙌🏻 🐬 🐾 🤗 🌊
Yes, I’m so glad to hear her voice kind lady, and know her light is ever there. A big journey I have no doubt and wish her well ❤️🙏
I know the winter has some nice fire place moments and fun in that white stuff Karla…but brrrr. All that for months and months, you would have to have a nice pile of wood and books I think 🤗❤️
We cheat down here, it starts to warm right up by September and doesn’t get cold enough for a long shirt or coat until the following May. Of course now I’ve said that we will probably get a cold snap in March 🤣 Just so I can appreciate your winter delights 😂❤️
Big hugs to you and finn, got my cup and string ready to go, and many prayers for your journey kind lady, and hope all is going well. Take care 🤗🌟🐾🦓🕊️🌊🐬🐳❤️🙏
My intro to renga as well, Karla. Flow on❣
Thank you, dear Mitch. I appreciate you!❤️
Karla this Renga flows – with faith and love and that sense of peace… You really should write more poetry!! You are loved! We are all praying here!! Much love from me and Mochi!!
Thank you, Val!! You’re one of my poet experts!
Finn and I love you, Mochi, and the warriors! ❤️🙏 🐾
Beautiful! I am not familiar with this form of poetry, but I recognize inspiration and awe when I see it. Well done, Karla and Sagan!
Aww that’s so kind and sweet. Thank you so much!!! ❤️🙏💚♥️🥰🥰
Wonderful words, Karla. I pray all is well with you and Finley. And yes, sweet girl, you are loved!😘
Thank you, Mama Wenda! Yes, I’m doing the best with Christ. There are challenges at times, but we all have them. I think and pray for you precious soul. I love you ❤️ 🙏
So good to hear faith in you. I love you so very much and pray for you always. You are forever in my heart! 💗🎶❤️
Beautifully written Karla 💚💚💚
Sadje, you’re so precious to me. Thank you. ❣️❣️❣️
So are you dear friend. You’re most welcome
I’ve not seen the Renga poetry form before. Very sweet poem.
I love rivers and your poem led me right into experiencing a river. I stood in the Chama river in New Mexico and felt how the current hitting my knees was a different temperature, force and speed than the one hitting my calves or my ankles. It was amazing to feel those differences. But I guess life is like that, too, more complex. I guess that’s why I value my spiritual life so much, because it keeps me balanced in the midst of all the currents pushing and pulling around me.
May your health, journey and focus remain gentle, balanced and joyous in this new year.
Katelon, you’re a beautiful soul, in and out.
I love how you described the varying force and temps. I’ve had a similar experience standing in water. It’s spiritual indeed!
Your words, “…it keeps me balanced in the midst of all the currents pushing and pulling around me.” Profound! It’s true! I love this!
May we both feel the joy and good faith and health in our journeys this year, my friend. Love and hugs to you! ♥️💚🙏
That’s such a cool project! I’m going to make it a family homework assignment! Thanks for sharing! 💕
That’s fantastic!! Thank you! I can’t wait to read your amazing crew’s work!
I appreciate you, my friend 💚
Karla, I did not know about renga before your post. The collaboration with your cousin is beautiful! You two are a great team.
You are always in my prayers🙏🏻🙏🏻 Sending love and stay warm ❤️🎶🥰
Thank you precious Pam! I’ll tell Sagan too. She’s so fun!
I’m staying warm here in MO. Did you all get the snow your way too?
I pray for you as you do me. I love you dearly ♥️🙏🎶❄️
Thank you big brother! I love that line~ it’s my favorite!
I’m doing well overall. Winter is here! I think the next wave might hit this evening! I pray for you as you do for me. I appreciate you so much 🙏
Do you like to play in the snow?
Yes, there is something about rivers. The poem is really wonderful, Karla! 😍
Thank you, Jennie!! I appreciate you so much! Sending love and hugs, dear friend! ❤️🙏🏻🤗
😍❤️💕