Sensual Aftermath – A Renga

A Writers Anonymous Collaboration

Wherever I go

Old melody of our hearts

Murmurs autumn hymn

The songs we heard and we sang

Break my heart and cause a pang

Once soft, sweet whispers

Like spring, holding me in thrall

Now silent, your voice

Our song is played everywhere

My heart is sore with despair.

We stayed up all night

Talking like we loved to do

Then knowing crept in

Things would never be the same

I miss our forgotten flame

View of broad shoulders

Really gets my heart pumping

But you are long gone

Your absence brings so much pain

I long to spot you again

Rough stubble chin rubbed

My butter soft skin, blushed

A forgotten summer

Saturated throbbing aches,

Now my untouched body shakes

Laundered love flying

Our gathered smells, on the line

Blow the funk away

Forgotten shirt, traitor nose

Exhale! Let it decompose!

Coffee, steaming black

Inhaled with cold winter pine

My nose sought your neck

Now those pungent smells disgust

A sniff relieves me of lust

Loving you was sweet,

Mouth-watering, savory

Your kisses to me

How long it’s been, me waiting

To say it, so long Darling

After the success of our original post, our Writers Anonymous Collaborative (WAC) doubled with the addition of Jenna (TheSunshineArtist), Mich (michnavs) and Kate (calmkate). At this grand meeting we decided to write a renga, a linked poem created by different writers taking turns writing a haiku followed by a couplet.

Our collaboration was inspired by a poem written by Punam about how songs can trigger memories after a breakup. In the comments we discussed how smells and places can also bring back those painful (and sometimes painfully delicious) memories. And thus the idea to use the five senses to write about experiences after a breakup was born! Since there were six of us, Gina, suggested including the 6th sense, intuition. Fortuitous fabulousness ensued! Ah – serendipity!

The enthusiasm of this lively group of writers is infectious! In one day, we had the first draft completed. The final draft would have been approved sooner if we hadn’t been sidetracked by all the fun. To complete this endeavor, Jenna created a unique image that visually captures our story.

Out of our need to write, this collaboration was a hands up, eyes wide open, stomach dropping, feet bracing roller coaster ride of exceptional, empathic wordsmithing. I loved every minute of it and screamed my head of quite a few times as these lovely lyrics came together. I am so sad this ride has ended but can’t wait for the next meeting of Writers Anonymous.