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TABLE OF CONTENTS

XVII:2, June, 2002

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


Nika 

NA
Nasira Alma

PC
Penny Crosby 

PGC 
Pamela Connor

PJS
P.J. Sharpe 

PS
Pat Shelley


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 However, links that clearly neglect the hokku poet's guidelines will not be published.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:

Sept. 1, 2002

 


    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

tourists wading in surf eyes open for sharks GD
from afar calling her through both hands white teeth WR
bright green thong between pale cheeks GD

playing frisbee
a mouth full of sand
hair too JAJ

~*~

fulfilling a last request
gray north wind
pummels with heavy drops Robert Flannery

in rain the rocks find their colors cg
drilling three holes - the rose quartz bowling trophy CC
in the pub end of September most darts missing the target WR

bull’s eye
on a hefty
little heifer CC

getting the point
everyone laughs at his joke
at the wrong time JR

~*~

fulfilling a last request
gray north wind
pummels with heavy drops Robert Flannery

in rain the rocks find their colors cg
deep in the wave just as it breaks light glints GD
I twinkle and I shut my eyes for in the dark appearing stars WR

wearing sunglasses
the Hollywood wantabee
stumbles JR

~*~

fulfilling a last request
gray north wind
pummels with heavy drops Robert Flannery

in rain the rocks find their colors cg
missing the obvious he slashes his foot on a mussel-covered rock JAJ
coming home quietly broken shells and I WR

her new treasure
a wagon full
of driftwood JAJ

growing older
yet the comfort of seeing
Grandmother Ocean      JR

 

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
listening to a star leaving the lake WR
heaving light beneath the wave JMB
fingerprint in the pink birthday frosting cg

watching a cow’s spittle
only eating grass WR

map
a face stick JMB

bubblegum
smack across her face 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
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
waiting at the end of the block police speed trap JAJ
she remembers when fast was dad’s Model T cg
man on the running board the answering machine gun CC

two Firestone front tires flat
my personal "axis of evil"     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
hot songs melt the wax from sailors' ears GD
The Great Lost Kinks Album needle stuck in the last groove CC
"Just a little prick" nurse with a syringe GD
suddenly all the puppies’ eyes open cg

trying to make sense
of all that blue 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
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
waiting at the end of the block police speed trap JAJ
another hole in the cheese CC
small tear in the yellowed love letter folded, refolded cg

anthrax scare
the office smart-aleck   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
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
radio signal the break-up song breaking up CC
September news I listen but there is no melody WR

 

ticking me off
the toll bridge
metrognome     CC

 

 

JUST DAUGHTERS
12 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
"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
old uncle's eyes slowly derobe his niece  ESJ
out of the closet so many cases of family incest JAJ
his face cut out of every photo – family album GD

bickering siblings
dys-ing each other   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
old uncle's eyes slowly derobe his niece  ESJ
out of the closet so many cases of family incest JAJ
vodka or gin? or just male sin? JR

no anesthetic
mothers hold down daughters
for cliterectomy      JAJ

 

~*~

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
grandmother's teakettle still sings on the stove   cg
laughing over e-mail from our daughter’s daughter GD
catsup on fried eggs just like dad’s cg

bread pudding
handed down from grandma     JAJ

~*~

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
up on the armoire kids find the porno mag JAJ
sticky wings a moth JMB
first time for lipstick, her mouth wider than her lips GD

after plucking
just a line for eyebrows    JAJ

whispering "no"
she turns a little more red     WR

 

 

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

How easy it is
Always writing verbs that end
In ing
Keep it to a minimum and
Use the present tense without JAJ

talking
willingly
in the manner of
stereotypes used for a
thousand times WR

Seven between five & five
You require seventeen total
Lovingly
Layered
Any nonconformist had
Better
Look
Elsewhere     CC

~*~

La Renga Loca
Your muses lock horns with
Night Blooming Jazzman
X-treme Poetry – Carlos Colón

She wouldn’t be as
Holy
I
F
T
he neighbor’s boy wasn’t that shy WR

Kiss
Incenses
Grizzled
Opponent CC

Soon
Even the birds won’t
Nest
Right by
Your home you
Ungrateful slingshot wretch      JAJ

~*~

La Renga Loca
Your muses lock horns with
Night Blooming Jazzman
X-treme Poetry – Carlos Colón

How easy it is
Always writing verbs that end
In ing
Keep it to a minimum and
Use the present tense without JAJ

talking
willingly
in the manner of
stereotypes used for a
thousand times WR

Proper feelings
Offer
Edges
Thrust into a
Reactive
You         JR

 

MOST BEAUTIFUL GAME
7 Links (now extended to 12)
Rule: each link is a question; no answers!

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
does it come from your head or your gut? cg
How can rain fall from empty sky? RF
Will that be a C cup or a D? JAJ

or a U between?    JMB

Wasn’t this supposed to stop at 7?   CC

~*~

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 is the price of peers’ pears palliated on a pair of piers? JR
where did your charm bracelet go? JAJ

Can there be love stored in a bank safe?  WR

 

SWARMING
6-word links on the
Theme: swarming

Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett
just as the sunflower opens – bees! cg
wind - did I ever run faster? WR

bees smell an intruder   JAJ

~*~

Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett
carrying the birds’ idea of food JR
news of doughnuts in the break room cg

children flipping raisins at the wall WR

the case of the pedophile priest    CC

~*~

Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett
The pounding footsteps blue-light special CC
fluorescent bulbs on sale so cheap JR

facial pale you move like morto     JMB

 

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
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
even now we walk through the breath of angels    cg
spinning from the top of a wave my next shape JR
45 rpms unturned for years GD

aging hippie –
rolling stoned
and gathering moss      CC

how long it takes
before she offers you a cookie
granno-second      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
oh to sit forever in the warm cradle of the moon ESJ
the thinnest sickle of light beyond clouds   GD
sun rise the curve of a hill spreads the glow  JR
her breasts’ curve slopes lower GD

softer now
like water:
swimming       JMB

~*~

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
falling apart as she is carted away old mannequin    ESJ
carrot and coal in a pool of snow CC
nobody remembers whose baby in grandma’s album cg

yellowed tape holding
his head on his neck      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
oh to sit forever in the warm cradle of the moon ESJ
the thinnest sickle of light beyond clouds   GD
and opposite the northern lights begin their dance JAJ
the end of a night fluidly colored WR

the pregnancy began
the moment she knew it
was over    JR

~*~

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
how many neighbors don't "Make Room for Daddy" ?    cg
behind the screen on Sullivan’s stage Elvis writhes GD
Bob Dylan still waiting in the wings CC

"A Hard Rain . . ."
how time changed when
the towers fell          JR

 

WITHIN/WITHOUT
Alternate 3-line and 2-line links for 12 links
Theme: interconnectedness

sliding open this bathroom window startling Orion -Robert Flannery
with jeans a belt of stars the radiance of a daughter  JR
tied shoelaces tug of war between two teams of Barbies CC

in mirror: the
head upside down     JMB

~*~

sliding open this bathroom window startling Orion -Robert Flannery
left the hair combed my hand JMB
fair grounds the bearded lady dunks the clown CC

he reaches down
to help him up a step     JAJ

~*~

sliding open this bathroom window startling Orion -Robert Flannery
left the hair combed my hand JMB
he stops reaching out for the one reaching out for him WR

life
a glint of light
in her glass eye       JR

 

 

   
   
 

Submission Rules 

Who We Are

Deadline for new links is
Sept. 1, 2002

Links Copyright © Designated Authors 1985 - 2002
Page Copyright © Jane Reichhold 2002

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