After the tsunami: Chaminade

We are all thankful that there was little or no damage from the tsunami in Hawaii. One of the benefits for us was that we were able to keep our date at Chaminade, one of two places of learning that remained opened today. Through the kindness of Drs. Fassiotto and Francis and Dr. Francis’ staff, we spent an enjoyable hour reading from No Choice and fielding questions from an attentive audience who asked very good questions. Someone later pointed out to me that many of the questions centered on the difficulty of writing renshi. The answers always came back to a sense of obligation, keeping one’s commitment and doing what must be done. This sense of obligation and commitment was connected to someone else: we didn’t want to let our fellow poets down. When there is so much to do, we have to know what must be done. This is what was brought home to me today.

They were also interested in the rules of renga and renshi and how themes and the personal voice developed.

A reporter from Chaminade’s newspaper , William, was in the audience taking notes and also asking questions. We’ll be posting a link to his article later.

I invited the students to comment on my blog and to start their own renshi. I wonder if they will.