Global Haiku Tradition • Tan-Renga Favorites 2020
thunderstorm
Hope Klessig & Ashley Christensen I thought the add on to this haiku fit perfectly. It was able to add details on the aftermath of that storm. In reality a storm doesn’t last forever. The truth that was told during that was that he affair. This is very dark and malicious. A storm represents darkness or even sadness. So, I thought it was very clever that the authors decided to go this approach. It wrapped up the haiku perfectly and was able to give the reader that dark and sad feeling. Tan-renga is very new to me but I realized how much I enjoyed learning and writing it when we were put on this assignment and read the article. All those questions you have when reading a haiku can be answered with just those two lines. That is exactly what this Tan-renga did above. Taylor Parola, Spring 2020 I enjoyed this pairing because it works so well together, but they tell a different story. Although the story is of the same context, they highlight different moments in the plot. The haiku that Hope wrote is about the climax of the story. The moment everything is crashing together, just like the thunder. The truth comes out as the rain falls from the sky. Then Ashley’s part is about the aftermath of the situation. The sky is clear now and the truth of the affair is out in the open. Although the storm has stopped, there is still a storm brewing between the couple. Shania Dvorak, Spring 2020
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dinner table
Olivia Tharpe & Bre Johnson
his hands
Shania Dvorak & Erika Castanon I enjoyed this Tan Renga by Shania and Erika because Erica’s two lines at the end, gave the haiku a deeper meaning. It turned the case of domestic violence into a murder. I also feel that the three lines at the end of Erika’s last line leaves room for speculation regarding there being more to the story. Jada Miller, Spring 2020
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my reflection
Shania Dvorak & Dalton Glasco
old couple
Shania Dvorak & Grace Newton
my reflection
Shania Dvorak & Grace Newton
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one text
Taylor Parola & Erika Castanon I really liked this Tan Renga because the thoughts seem to come after a short pause with the indentation. And I think that really speaks a lot about poetry in general because any kind of punctuation or indentation can change the meaning of the poem without someone even realizing it. Paige Boomer, Spring 2020
windows down
Erika Castanon I love this one because they are connected however they can both mean different things when separated. I think that this is a good representation of a relationship and the excitement or sparks that happen within them. The girl is not paying attention to how she looks and when she notices that he is admiring her it makes her happy and excited. This also reminded me of the movie the last song where there is a scene similar to this. Ashley Christenson, Spring 2020 This was my favorite Tan Renga because it reminds me of my favorite month, summer. It also instantly gave me a happy carefree sense of two people just enjoying each other’s company and god weather. I picture a jeep with the doors off and cruising down the back country roads. I hear country music and I feel butterflies. I imagine these two people are either dating or maybe have feelings for each other from the additional two lines added. I also get a sense of comfort from the smile mentioned at the end. Hannah Watts, Spring 2020 |
coffee
Olivia Tharpe & Grace Newton This tan renga flows together perfectly. I definitely relate to this and coffee being the one thing I look forward to, especially during this quarantine. I also like that the one thing you look forward to you could also be tossing in the sink. Whether it is an empty mug, or there is still coffee in it, you are still getting the jittery feeling that coffee gives you. This was just a soft writing, but vivid, as well. It creates a Sunday morning feel to it. Bre Johnson, Spring 2020
pantry doors
Morgan Timmons & Grace Newton First off, I really like Morgan's haiku. I love that it's relatable, as I'm always hungry. But I liked it because it offers a new perspective (I'm not sure if she meant to write it like that). I see this as the snacks are saying "she'll be back for more." Then Grace's addition to the idea of being lonely and relying on food or company to get you through it is great. The last line stands out, as she's saying she'll let anyone in the door - she's that lonely. Hope Klessig, Spring 2020 |
the sun sets
Paige Boomer and Hailey Wimberly This combination is AWESOME. I love that the original haiku is conclusive and the addition just completely opens it back up. It’s the end and the beginning of life. It makes me want to hear more, witness more, and explore. The juxtaposition of the sun and the moon and beginnings and endings is beautiful and exciting. Excellent Tan-Renga! Niki Curatti, Spring 2020
crisp fall day
Ashley Christensen & Jared Chapman I absolutely love this Tan-Renga because it reminds me of when I go to the pumpkin patch with my family. I can picture the apple orchard in my head. One of my family's traditions is to go to the pumpkin patch every year. We go pick apples, get donuts, and drink on apple cider. We also go and pick out our pumpkins that we are going to carve. We also love to go and do the corn maze, and it takes us forever to get out. My brother is always trying to take short cuts, but they never end up working. These lines remind me of fall and that is my favorite season, because I can wear jeans and sweaters. Erika Castanon, Spring 2020 |
old couple
Shania Dvorak & Jada Miller |
my reflection
Shania Dvorak & Jared Chapman
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long car ride
Hailey Wimberly & Niki Curatti This haiku, even on it’s own, is great. I get a very descriptive image and it also brings back some memories. I really enjoyed the cap that Niki added to this haiku. It added humor and immediately made me giggle. It was funny to me that this question got asked, but there are no colors. I think overall, the first haiku by Hailey was perfect, but with Niki’s addition, it added a bit of humor to me, and that is something that I like in haiku. Morgan Timmons, Spring 2020 |
building sandcastles
Jared Chapman & Ashley Christensen I really enjoyed this tan renga because it basically explains what a tan renga is and how it forms. A haiku forms and washes away at the end of the third line. The next two lines begin a new thought while building on the old lines. I think these to poets did a great job tying this together. Dalton Glasco, Spring 2020 |
the setting sun
Niki Curatti & Pascaline Muhindagiga I love the change in tone that occurs when the phrase is added at the end of this haiku. When the haiku is read alone, it gives a poetic image that seems to be peaceful. Then, the next two lines, “just relax,” gives a tone of worry and nervousness. It makes it seem as though the couple described in the poem are on a first date and one is very calm and notices the beautiful reflection of the sun on the other’s face. However, the other person is just trying to be cool and relax. Jared Chapman, Spring 2020 |
high tide
Kevin Escobar & Niki Curatt I love this tan renga because it’s so innocent and sweet! I had no idea how they were going to change it, but I liked that instead of the main focus of the haiku being the sandcastle (I presume that’s what the empire is) the main focus is about the little girl. It’s so much more personal with the princess line, and it makes the story seem really full. Grace Newton, Spring 2020 |
orange flame
Shania Dvorak & Morgan Timmons
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store bought flowers
Ashley Christensen & Niki Curatt |
© 2020, Randy Brooks • Millikin University • All rights returned to authors upon publication.