Renga

Renga is a form of linked-poetry that originated in Japan nearly a thousand years ago. A renga poem takes the form of a tanka which is 5-7-5 and 7-7 sound units. In renga, however, one poet starts with a challenge 5-7-5 (like a haiku) and another adds a related 7-7. A group of poets alternate between 5-7-5 and 7-7 creating a sequence that can be over 1,000 links long.

Renga Example:

This section was written in 1488 by Sogi and two of his disciples Shohaku and Socho. It was composed to honor the memory of Emperor Go-Toba (1180-1239CE) and starts with a Tanka he wrote. This selection and translation was taken form the book The Art Of Haiku by Stephen Addis (Shambhala Publications Inc. 2012).

As I look out and View
haze at the foot of the mountains
beyond Minase River--
I used to imagine that autumn
was the best season for evening
Emperor Go-Toba

despite the snow,
haze at the foot of the mountains--
evening
Sogi

distant waters flow past
a plum-scented village
Shohaku

the river breeze
in a single clump of willows
shows us springtime
Socho

the sounds of poling a boat
are clear at dawn
Sogi

is the remaining moon
still crossing over
this misty night?
Shohaku

with frost covering the fields
autumn draws to a close
Socho

This linked poetry goes on for 100 segments. Each poet taking the previous poets poem and adding to and changing the scene.

Now it is your turn to try! Below is a poem try adding an alternating 7-7 or 5-7-5 verse!

Waiting for spring sun
The redbuds have not yet bloomed
morning frost still appears
-Gabriel

Add Your Stanza

First Line:
Second Line:
Third Line (if needed):
Author:

---

CODE FOLLOWS

<?php
    include('../includes/header.php');

    error_reporting(E_ALL);    // set error reporting to all
    if (isset($_POST['delete']) && $_POST['delete'] == 1) {
        file_put_contents('../doc/stanza.txt', '');//delete contents of stanza file
    }
    $step = isset($_POST['step']) ? $_POST['step'] : 0;//select step
    $line1 = htmlspecialchars($_POST['line1']);//first line of poetry
    $line2 = htmlspecialchars($_POST['line2']);//second line of poetry
    $line3 = htmlspecialchars($_POST['line3']);//third line if needed
    $author = htmlspecialchars($_POST['author']);//the author
?>

    <h1>Renga</h1>

    <p>
        Renga is a form of linked-poetry that originated in Japan nearly a thousand years ago.  A renga poem takes the form of a tanka which is 5-7-5 and 7-7 sound units.  In renga, however, one poet starts with a challenge 5-7-5 (like a haiku) and another adds a related 7-7.  A group of poets alternate between 5-7-5 and 7-7 creating a sequence that can be over 1,000 links long.
    </p>

    <h2>Renga Example:</h2>

    <p>
        This section was written in 1488 by Sogi and two of his disciples Shohaku and Socho.  It was composed to honor the memory of Emperor Go-Toba (1180-1239CE) and starts with a Tanka he wrote.  This selection and translation was taken form the book The Art Of Haiku by Stephen Addis (Shambhala Publications Inc. 2012).
    </p>

    <p>
        As I look out and View<br>
        haze at the foot of the mountains<br>
        beyond Minase River--<br>
        I used to imagine that autumn<br>
        was the best season for evening<br>
        <strong>Emperor Go-Toba</strong>

    <br>
    <p>
        despite the snow,<br>
        haze at the foot of the mountains--<br>
        evening<br>
        <strong>Sogi</strong>
    </p>

    <p>
        distant waters flow past<br>
        a plum-scented village<br>
        <strong>Shohaku</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        the river breeze<br>
        in a single clump of willows<br>
        shows us springtime<br>
        <strong>Socho</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        the sounds of poling a boat<br>
        are clear at dawn<br>
        <strong>Sogi</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        is the remaining moon<br>
        still crossing over<br>
        this misty night?<br>
        <strong>Shohaku</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        with frost covering the fields<br>
        autumn draws to a close<br>
        <strong>Socho</strong>
    </p>
    <p>
        This linked poetry goes on for 100 segments.  Each poet taking the previous poets poem and adding to and changing the scene.
    </p>

    <h2>
        Now it is your turn to try! Below is a poem try adding an alternating 7-7 or 5-7-5 verse!
    </h2>
<?php
    $myfile = '../doc/haiku.txt';
    $yourfile = '../doc/stanza.txt';
    if(file_exists($myfile) AND $step==0){//first displayed when page opened
        $contents = nl2br(file_get_contents($myfile));
        $usercontents = nl2br(file_get_contents($yourfile));
        echo("<p>$contents</p>");
        echo("<p>$usercontents</p>");
    }
    elseif ($step==1) {//appending the new lines and displaying them
        $file = fopen($yourfile, 'a');
        $entry = "$line1<br>$line2<br>$line3<br><strong>$author</strong><br><br>\n";
        file_put_contents($yourfile, $entry, FILE_APPEND);
        $contents = nl2br(file_get_contents($myfile));
        $usercontents = nl2br(file_get_contents($yourfile));
        echo("<p>$contents</p>");
        echo("<p>$usercontents</p>");
    }
?>
    <h3>
        Add Your Stanza
    </h3>
    <form method="post" action="">
        <label for ="line1">First Line:</label>
        <textarea id="line1" name="line1" rows="1" cols="50"></textarea><br>
        <label for ="line2">Second Line:</label>
        <textarea id="line2" name="line2" rows="1" cols="50"></textarea><br>
        <label for ="line3">Third Line (if needed):</label>
        <textarea id="line3" name="line3" rows="1" cols="50"></textarea><br>
        <label for ="author">Author:</label>
        <textarea id="author" name="author" rows="1" cols="30"></textarea>
        <br><br>
        <input type="hidden" name="step" value="1">
        <input type="submit" name="submit" value="Submit">
    </form>
    <br><br>
    <form method="post" action="" onsubmit="return confirm('Are you sure you want to delete all stanzas?');">
        <input type="hidden" name="delete" value="1">
        <input type="submit" value="Delete Stanzas">
    </form>


<?php
    include('../includes/footer.php');
?>



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