Renhai Studio Archives

A Collection of Renhai by members of The Renhai Studio

The Untrue

A Renhai by Vaughn Seward (vs) & John W. Sexton (jws)

Chink, chink chink —
only the false water drip
of hidden blackbirds. /jws

High alpine meadow — /vs
a horse gallops his shadow. /jws

A half hour passes —
the groom leans and whispers
to the best man. /vs

Archive Id: 152
Vaughn Seward: Canada
John W. Sexton: Ireland
Written:: February 5-9, 2009

Theme: Hidden or Missing Elements; Sound; Out of Place
Season: Summer (Early)
Kigo: Birdsong; Alpine meadow clear of snow; Wedding season
Verse Form: 2-3-2, 3-3, 2-3-2 (Rhythm)
Process: Forward

Links 1/2:
Bird / Animal;
Black / Shadow;
Repeating sound (chinking and galloping);
Sounds of water (Alpine meadows are usually near ice and/or mountain ponds).

Links 2/3:
Partners separated (Horse & rider / Marriage partners);
Shadow / Whisper;
Horse / Groom.

Links 3/1:
Not present / Hidden;
Marking of time (Half hour / Dripping water);
False wedding start / Mistaken sounds;
Love birds / Blackbirds;
Possible broken wedding / Black.

Notes: A major theme in this Renhaia is "Hidden or Missing Elements". There is also a missing third party in each verse:

Verse 1: Viewpoint character who hears the blackbirds' song.
Verse 2: A rider
Verse 3: A bride (or groom)*

*It is possible to interpret verse three a couple of ways: (1) the groom is waiting for the bride at the front of the church; (2) the groom hasn't shown up at the church yet and is, in fact, a half hour late.

The first and third verses have an implied intimacy which is separated by the "distant" view expressed in the second verse.