Participation Renga


TABLE OF CONTENTS XVI:2 June 2001			LYNX A Journal for Linking Poets



	*In these Participation Renga from Lynx* you will find links from: AB Alice Benedict BJ Bob Jessup CC Carlos Colón CF Vikki Maldonado CG Cindy Guntherman CSK Carol Stroh Kemp dht Doris H. Thurston DR David Rice DWP Darrel W. Parry EF Eric Folsom ESJ Elizabeth St Jacques FA Fay Aoyagi FP Francine Porad FPA Francis (Paul) Attard GD Gene Doty GM Giselle Maya GR George Ralph JAJ Jean Jorgensen JC Jeanne Cassler JMB John M. Bennett JR Jane Reichhold JS John Sheirer JSJ Joyce Sandeen Johnson KCL Kenneth C. Leibman LCG Larry Gross LE Lesley Einer LJ Lael Johnson MHH Madeline Hoffer ML Minna Lerman MM Marianne Marks MWM Mary Wittry-Mason N Nika NA Nasira Alma PC Penny Crosby PGC Pamela Connor PJS P.J. Sharpe PS Pat Shelley R Ronan RF Robert Flannery SCH Suzette Hains SD Simon Doubleday SMc Steve McComas TLG Terri Lee Grell TV Teresa Volz TW Tundra Wind WR Werner Reichhold YH Yvonne Hardenbrook ZP Zane Parks LYNX** PARTICIPATION RENGA HOW TO DO IT To join in participation renga, read the whole poem, especially the last line or lines in italic. Read the "rules" as stated under the title. Pick the link in italic you find best, worthy, interesting and write your responding link. Check the hokku poet's rules once more to make sure yours fits. Send the title of the renga, the link and author to which your link with your initials responds. Subscribers may send in up to 10 links total. You cannot respond to your own links. To start a participation renga, submit a hokku; (the first link (stanza) of a renga). The hokku usually contains the title of the renga. Your submission should indicate a title; the theme or premise (if any); the format (3-line links, 2-line links, etc.); and the total number of links that will complete the renga (not over 12, please). When you start a renga, think of it as YOUR renga and keep working with the new links as they arrive. Too often a renga is started but not "cared for" later. Lynx does not edit hokku or links in this section. However, links that clearly neglect the hokku poet's guidelines will not be published. Once a renga is established, Lynx publishes all branches of that renga, as long as poets keep feeding them links. Lynx drops any hokku or branch that no one feeds. The previous links are printed in one line just to save space. Send your links to us by email with the words "participation renga" as subject line. You may also send your links by regular post to: LYNX, POB 1250, Gualala, CA 95445, USA. LYNX DEADLINE FOR LINKS: May 1, 2001		[Remember: links written in italics are open for your new links.] AT THE BEACH Rule: 3 – 2 lines alternating Ends with 12 links fulfilling a last request gray north wind pummels with heavy drops - Robert Flannery King of Cool my Nehru jacket CC tourists wading in surf eyes open for sharks GD in rain the rocks find their colors cg NEWNEWNEWNEWNEWNEWNEW SWARMING 6-word links on the Theme: swarming Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett ~~ WITHIN/WITHOUT Alternate 3-line and 2-line links for 30 lines Theme: interconnectedness sliding open this bathroom window startling Orion - Robert Flannery ~~ LA RENGA LOCA Rules: This is an acrostic renga. Subsequent links must spell out some haikai-related word by reading the first letter of each word down the lines. Finish with 12 links. La Renga Loca Your muses lock horns with Night Blooming Jazzman X-treme Poetry – Carlos Colón ~~* MAGNETIC RENGA Rules: each link must be made up of words from any of the 60+ sets of Magnetic Poetry®. No cheating. :-) Twelve links. TO PEACE TO LIGHT HER FRAGILE HEART RISES - Carlos Colón ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ TIME with 3, 2 liners up to 12 links Theme: time's length and limits birds winging south / no speed limit / only time JSJ for how long / this dream? RF sleepless / how long the hours / of night? JSJ both hands point in the same direction CC still appealing with upturned palms the stone virgin ESJ Death – nothing more than a pitstop for Earnheart CC ~~ birds winging south / no speed limit / only time JSJ for how long / this dream? RF clocks changed again - / spring ahead / fall back GM Nasira waiting for us at the edge of eternity CC Polaris was not always the pole star RF the constellations drift out of all myth GD ~~ birds winging south / no speed limit / only time JSJ for how long / this dream? RF clocks changed again - / spring ahead / fall back GM Nasira waiting for us at the edge of eternity CC oh to sit forever in the warm cradle of the moon ESJ the thinnest sickle of light beyond clouds GD even now we walk through the breath of angels cg ~~ birds winging south / no speed limit / only time JSJ for how long / this dream? RF clocks changed again - / spring ahead / fall back GM Nasira waiting for us at the edge of eternity CC I'm sure it was she who visited my dream just last week JAJ in absence of friends your own age lighting a candle WR ~~ birds winging south / no speed limit / only time JSJ for how long / this dream? RF clocks changed again - / spring ahead / fall back GM patches of snow mound of primulas in bloom JAJ the tension gone from his strings Howdy Doody CC two hours yet until supper at her brother's house JAJ how many neighbors don't "Make Room for Daddy" ? cg feeling wooden saying please and thank you to one who hates me JR falling apart as she is carted away old mannequin ESJ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ JUST DAUGHTERS 7 links theme: family relationships In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg after thirty years I still miss her my dead sister JAJ in a dream again back to playing hide and seek WR absent father only a ghost in attic shadows GD shifted box the rattle of a rattle CC grandmother's teakettle still sings on the stove cg ~~ In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker / turning clouds into faces cg after thirty years I still miss her my dead sister JAJ in a dream again back to playing hide and seek WR now that we're older siblings and I each our own way JAJ at sixty-two i'm still a girl in my brother's eyes ESJ ~~ In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg grandpa playing solitaire JAJ "Don't trust. Don't talk. Don't feel." RF how can one I love vote Republican? JR my dog, the Plutocrat CC oily too as she enjoys making pizza WR ~~ In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg "get water from the well" she said, wanting me out of the kitchen GM mother and son discuss making pickles JAJ storm cellar, root cellar - home-canned peaches & refuge from tornadoes GD in the crystal ball in front of a picket fence – Auntie Em CC ~~ In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg "get water from the well" she said, wanting me out of the kitchen GM mother and son discuss making pickles JAJ sex education must, say the educators begin at home JR young neighbor buying night vision binoculars WR up on the armoire kids find the porno mag JAJ old uncle's eyes slowly derobe his niece ESJ ~~ In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg after thirty years I still miss her my dead sister JAJ in a dream again back to playing hide and seek WR big sister checks the youngster's breath missing cigarettes ESJ twin sons loving them for who they are JAJ ~~ In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg grandpa playing solitaire JAJ dad's third marriage I learn my new brothers & sisters one step- at a time CC enlarging the family sis's expanding tummy JR two godsons mentally challenged feeling so inadequate JAJ ~~ In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg grandpa playing solitaire JAJ "Don't trust. Don't talk. Don't feel." RF blurted out words in grade school the room laughs until I cry GD whispering together in another language late grandparents JAJ little sister twirling and twirling in the hand-me-down dress cg ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MOST BEAUTIFUL GAME 7 Links Rule: each link is a question; no answers! What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF If she sends him / one perfect rose / will he call or hide? cg Is it better / to burn? / or to marry? JR Can this phoenix rise again /from the charred ashes of summer? CC dream: butterfly / or butterfly ballot? GD can you really separate the chad from the wheat? CC is that just flapping in the wind? ESJ premonition or coincidence? JAJ ~~ What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF rather like / a Miss Universe pageant / don't you think? JAJ uni verse or multiverses? ?? If not my link then whose? CC will the words of a neighbor do? JAJ this time what will his promise be? ESJ* ~~* What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF If she sends him / one perfect rose / will he call or hide? cg Is it better / to burn? / or to marry? JR Is anything better than making more nuclear bombs? RF a poor woman birthing her 10^th child? JR that song I just heard, was it by "? and the Mysterians"? CC fathered by a cannibal who is a philanthropist? WR ~~ What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF What are you seeking / when you smile / at strangers? JSJ Where do we come from / Why are we going? GM what's the joke about navel seamen? JR how many syllables does it take to screw up a haiku? CC how many fools to pull out the chair? JAJ does it come from your head or your gut? cg ~~ What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF rather like / a Miss Universe pageant / don't you think? JAJ uni verse or multiverses? ?? will that be Visa or Mastercard? JAJ fifteen per cent or twenty? GD does it really matter? JAJ ~~ What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF What are you seeking / when you smile / at strangers? JSJ Where do we come from / Why are we going? GM Do you see that very bright star? JAJ why does the map have no center? GD can he figure out why her eyes are blue today? ESJ where would you choose? JAJ if you dug a hole to China, would you start here? JR if I keep walking will I end up here? cg ~~ What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / andwho can play? RF rather like / a Miss Universe pageant / don't you think? JAJ uni verse or multiverses? ?? will that be Visa or Mastercard? JAJ carbon paper can it be carbon-dated? CC on the move in my kidney a new stone? WR ~~ What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF What are you seeking / when you smile / at strangers? JSJ Where do we come from / Why are we going? GM Do you see that very bright star? JAJ How about in five hundred years? RF can I buy shares in stockings interneted WR ~~ What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF rather like / a Miss Universe pageant / don't you think? JAJ uni verse or multiverses? ?? If not my link then whose? CC will the words of a neighbor do? JAJ in case there's a wooden fence which limp left the hole? WR or will your mind make out you? JMB why does that baby keep crying? GD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GENTLY WIPING DUST Alternate 3-line and 2-line links for 100 lines Theme: impermanence, transitoriness gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH battery low the calculator reads "ERROR" GD the new player late for the first game RF dealing cards to an empty chair careless of how they land GD face-down $10,000 poorer CC richer for the experience bottoms up YH "How do you stop a wino from charging?" CC at the end of that rainbow no credit card cg back to the diner waiting tables JSJ old woman slips jelly packets into her purse cg mistaking a condom / for a condiment GD runs her tongue / over red lips, / snaps her purse shut cg Quiet out at sea the boat sinks JMB hot songs melt the wax from sailors' ears GD The Great Lost Kinks Album needle stuck in the last groove CC listening to a star leaving the lake WR her old spaniel sings along with Jimmy Buffet cg ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting down the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH was never very good at math MHH one more short story attempt into the waste basket GR sharp edges cutting through the trash bag shadows leaking out GD thickening juice from the black beans can JMB long time on shelf honey crystallizes sticky jar JSJ mustard seeds pop in hot oil GD it will be a cold day in July when I cook again YH even the firecrackers refuse to light – a rainy fourth! dht indoors all afternoon two boys play Civil War one gray; one blue RF refugee children / strangers to laughter PGC stray sniffing / stranded starfish – / gray sky's cold FPA mackerel clouds reach every horizon piling the sea JR broken thermometer poisonous mercury scatters everywhere JAJ driving through a school zone spray of sparrows RF brownian motion: grandchildren zooming around the room GD waiting at the end of the block police speed trap JAJ ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting down the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH was never very good at math MHH one more short story attempt into the waste basket GR sharp edges cutting through the trash bag shadows leaking out GD thickening juice from the black beans can JMB long time on shelf honey crystallizes sticky jar JSJ mustard seeds pop in hot oil GD it will be a cold day in July when I cook again YH even the firecrackers refuse to light – a rainy fourth! dht indoors all afternoon two boys play Civil War one gray; one blue RF refugee children / strangers to laughter PGC stray sniffing / stranded starfish – / gray sky's cold FPA returning for Easter / without painted eggs / from a far place GM the rabbit in the dark of the moon WR first rays of dawn bantam rooster wakes up the whole family JAJ time change with without a watch WR ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH battery low the calculator reads "ERROR" GD the new player late for the first game RF dealing cards to an empty chair careless of how they land GD face-down $10,000 poorer CC richer for the experience bottoms up YH "How do you stop a wino from charging?" CC at the end of that rainbow no credit card cg back to the diner waiting tables JSJ old woman slips jelly packets into her purse cg mistaking a condom for a condiment GD runs her tongue over red lips, snaps her purse shut cg Quiet out at sea the boat sinks JMB belly up as we like it both WR under revision again my top ten list CC fifteenth time around the block chasing a size 8 ESJ one for her the two for it a third unwanted? WR in the rain the sandbox castle just a mountain cg ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH battery low the calculator reads "ERROR" GD the new player late for the first game RF dealing cards to an empty chair careless of how they land GD face-down $10,000 poorer CC richer for the experience bottoms up YH "How do you stop a wino from charging?" CC at the end of that rainbow no credit card cg back to the diner waiting tables JSJ old woman slips jelly packets into her purse cg mistaking a condom / for a condiment GD runs her tongue / over red lips, / snaps her purse shut cg Quiet out at sea the boat sinks JMB Swirl of your soul into the siren's whirlpool CC april windstorm blowing last year's leaves across the street GD ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting down the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH was never very good at math MHH one more short story attempt into the waste basket GR sharp edges cutting through the trash bag shadows leaking out GD thickening juice from the black beans can JMB long time on shelf honey crystallizes sticky jar JSJ mustard seeds pop in hot oil GD it will be a cold day in July when I cook again YH even the firecrackers refuse to light – a rainy fourth! dht indoors all afternoon two boys play Civil War one gray; one blue RF refugee children / strangers to laughter PGC stray sniffing / stranded starfish – / gray sky's cold FPA mackerel clouds reach every horizon piling the sea JR dancing a pas de deux for one more night WR flat on her bum unexpected ice patch JAJ liquid air it was on your eye JMB ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting down the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH was never very good at math MHH one more short story attempt into the waste basket GR sharp edges cutting through the trash bag shadows leaking out GD thickening juice from the black beans can JMB long time on shelf honey crystallizes sticky jar JSJ mustard seeds pop in hot oil GD it will be a cold day in July when I cook again YH even the firecrackers refuse to light – a rainy fourth! dht indoors all afternoon two boys play Civil War one gray; one blue RF turned up by the plow / a musket's firing plate GD breaking / in the dustpan / last wedding cup cg after three years divorce papers JSJ Solomon sharpening his sword CC The Judgment: 5 to 4 RF the Supreme Court picking the president picking a bush JR ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting down the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH was never very good at math MHH one more short story attempt into the waste basket GR sharp edges cutting through the trash bag shadows leaking out GD thickening juice from the black beans can JMB long time on shelf honey crystallizes sticky jar JSJ mustard seeds pop in hot oil GD it will be a cold day in July when I cook again YH even the firecrackers refuse to light – a rainy fourth! dht indoors all afternoon two boys play Civil War one gray; one blue RF refugee children / strangers to laughter PGC stray sniffing / stranded starfish – / gray sky's cold FPA returning for Easter / without painted eggs / from a far place GM the rabbit in the dark of the moon WR first rays of dawn bantam rooster wakes up the whole family JAJ was it all a dream: cream on top of bottled milk? ESJ ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting down the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH was never very good at math MHH one more short story attempt into the waste basket GR sharp edges cutting through the trash bag shadows leaking out GD thickening juice from the black beans can JMB long time on shelf honey crystallizes sticky jar JSJ mustard seeds pop in hot oil GD it will be a cold day in July when I cook again YH even the firecrackers refuse to light – a rainy fourth! dht indoors all afternoon two boys play Civil War one gray; one blue RF refugee children / strangers to laughter PGC stray sniffing / stranded starfish – / gray sky's cold FPA returning for Easter / without painted eggs / from a far place GM the rabbit in the dark of the moon WR moon-shadow cast on melting snow GD just like that ideas can change about the universe JR word of her passing but her heart still beats for the Lord CC ~*~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting down the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH was never very good at math MHH one more short story attempt into the waste basket GR sharp edges cutting through the trash bag shadows leaking out GD thickening juice from the black beans can JMB long time on shelf honey crystallizes sticky jar JSJ mustard seeds pop in hot oil GD it will be a cold day in July when I cook again YH even the firecrackers refuse to light – a rainy fourth! dht indoors all afternoon two boys play Civil War one gray; one blue RF turned up by the plow / a musket's firing plate GD breaking / in the dustpan / last wedding cup cg after three years divorce papers JSJ Solomon sharpening his sword CC she leaves in the nick of time ESJ trio of melting clocks chime to the tune of "Hello Dali" CC



	Submission Rules Who We Are Deadline Sept. 1, 2001	Links Copyright (c) Designated Authors 1985 - 2001. Page Copyright (c) Jane Reichhold 2002 Check out the previous Participation Renga. Feel you need to learn a bit more about Renga?