Renhai Studio Archives

A Collection of Renhai by members of The Renhai Studio

Chewing Things Over

A Renhai by Daniela Bullas (db) & Vaughn Seward (vs)

A woodpecker knocks
on the family tree —
No one at home. /db

Off in the doghouse — /db
our pooch all chewed out. /vs

Bird feeder —
a squirrel reaches,
helping itself. /vs

Archive Id: 97
Daniela Bullas: United Kingdom
Vaughn Seward: Canada
Written:: November 21-28, 2008

Theme: Animal Wordplays
Season: Winter
Kigo: Bird feeder
Verse Form: 2-3-2, 3-3, 2-3-2 (Rhythm)
Process: Reverse

Links 1/2: Knocking / Chewing; Family.
Links 2/3: Four-legged; Doghouse / Bird feeder.
Links 3/1: Bird; Not there; Feeding.

Notes: Daniela suggested that with this reverse-method Renhai that we try and do so with a word play in each verse. Here are the word plays we had in mind:

Verse 1: Family tree: Geneology versus Backyard tree.

Verse 2a: In the doghouse: Having done something which has made someone angry versus Physically in the doghouse.

Verse 2b: All chewed out: The concept is that the dog is perhaps in trouble for something like chewing a family member's slippers (Dad's?). The play on words is that Dad "chewed out" the mutt, as well the mutt is all "chewed out" (i.e. tired from all the chewing).

Verse 3: Helping itself: The normal, idiomatic meaning of this is that someone takes something without asking. The word play in this is that the squirrel is doing this but is also helping itself to reach down to get at the bird seed. Bird feeders typically hang from a branch and it can be a slight challenge for squirrels to get to.