Haiku, with its set patterns and rhythms, has long been embraced by western lovers of poetry. A short while ago I was given a beautifully illustrated book of Haiku which explains in its introduction how Haiku came to be. The longer origins of this form of poetry is embedded deep within the Japanese love of word play and form. Renga is believed to be one such form of collective poetry making. It has quite strict syllable and line form when people gathered round a poetry master and offered a verse at a time. These masters seem to have been quite strict and the order of the seasons bore great importance. I would love to know more and will also try to write my own but without a ‘collective’ voice it will perhaps be less true to the originals. However that will not stop me trying to create my version as a homage to a great poetical tradition.

Is there anyone out there who can tell me more?

Denny Bradbury