Extraordinary Sunshine Weaver

Bro ken Rengay is a collaborative poetry collection by Barbara Leonhard, Melissa Lemay, and Nolcha Fox. Inspired by the rengay form-created by Garry Gay in 1992 as an alternative to renga and renku-this book follows the six-verse linked structure while playfully breaking its traditional rules.

Originally, Barbara and Nolcha collaborated on Too Much Fun to Be Legal. When Melissa discovered their work, she suggested the three of them write rengay together. The result? A series of poems where humor, anger, and deep emotions intertwine, forming an authentic and dynamic voice.

While honoring the alternating three-line and two-line stanza pattern of rengay, the poets deliberately abandoned strict haiku syllable counts-breaking, bending, and reshaping the form as they wrote. Their creative rebellion led to a collection filled with wit, raw emotion, and a deep poetic synergy so strong they often forgot who wrote which stanza.

We hope you enjoy the laughter, the passion, and the unexpected twists within these pages.

Reviews

Three poets. One ancient form. Zero rules. Traditional Japanese poetry takes a unique turn in the hands of three poets: Nolcha Fox, Melissa Lemay, and Barbara Leonhard. In this electrifying collection, they discard the rulebook and craft a literary rebellion, creating something entirely new. Thirty interconnected six-stanza poems pulse with raw honesty, sharp wit, and fearless social commentary, determined to surprise the readers.

Munmun “Sam” Samanta, Author of Yellow Chrysanthemum

A non-traditional book blurb: I’m not going to give you any teasers. You’re going to do this the right way, by throwing a dart at the board and seeing where it sticks. And whichever poem it lands on you won’t be disappointed, especially with titles like “Anger Brings Me Donuts” and “You’re the Cream in My Cadaver.” I have interacted with or worked with all three of these poets in one way or another. All three have very different and distinct writing styles, and I’ll be damned if I cannot tell who wrote which stanzas, they come together so effortlessly-that to me is good writing. Pour a drink, sit back in your favorite chair, tune out the world, and just enjoy being immersed in the triple-threat of this poetry collection.

Ken Tomaro, author of Standing Lonely in the Alley & My Mind is a Cherry Pit Withering in the Sun.

While it might imply that the subject matter within these pages is filled with melancholy or angst, this brilliant collaboration from Nolcha Fox, Melissa Lemay, and Barbara Leonhard is far from it! It showcases a diverse range of subjects that encompass the full spectrum of humanity-the good and the bad and everything in between. I was easily pulled in to engage with these pieces, which are flavored with sublime metaphors and such great depth and meaning. One stanza to the next has you identifying, chuckling, or enjoying the rhythm of the emotions. Overall, these pieces show us that there is much to learn from, move forward with, and heal. I’m confident that readers will be unable to put this collection down, but when they do, it will be with some time to reflect on the thoughts in these pieces, and they will return often to glean even more with each reading. Brava – Nolcha, Melissa. and Barbara!

Susi Bocks, Author of Every Day I Pause…: A year in the life of a writer

Bro Ken Rengay is a collection of insightful poems about a variety of social, political, environmental, and economic issues people face on a daily basis. The trio of poets have seamlessly woven their individual thoughts and personalities into each poem making this collection a thought provoking and meaningful read.

Robbie Cheadle, Bestselling Author

Kindle Unlimited (or purchase for $3.99) Paperback ($12.95)

Produced by Munmum “Sam” Samantha