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TABLE OF CONTENTS

XIX:1 February, 2004

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 Celeste Fannin

CG 
Cindy Guntherman

CSK
Carol Stroh Kemp 

dht
Doris H. Thurston 

DPK
Deborah P. Kolidji

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 

WEG
Elliot Greig

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 BOLD 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 However, links that clearly neglect the hokku poet's guidelines will not be published.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, 2003

 


    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

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
getting the point everyone laughs at his joke at the wrong time JR
eating ice cream in the dark no more blondes WR
Carrot Top’s telephone time travel . . . back in the Rotary Club CC
dark curls from under swimming instructor’s suit 1950s lessons GD
watching my years reflected in the sea’s mirror WR

on-leave soldiers
ambushed by a wave
of WACs                      CC

new year’s eve
dusty notebooks in a box
hold fading years past        GD

 

~&~

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
getting the point everyone laughs at his joke at the wrong time JR
eating ice cream in the dark no more blondes WR
Carrot Top’s telephone time travel . . . back in the Rotary Club CC
dark curls from under swimming instructor’s suit 1950s lessons GD
blacklisted Joe McCarthy CC

sea-spume
blurs the address
on her card                        GD

 

~&~

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
your eye low water JMB
concentrating on the gulls to neutralize the nausea - CC
oh watch the cage JMB
kitchen counter: behind the blender the mouse’s tail GD

electric cord
twitches                    JMB

Christmas morning
the crumbs of a cookie                      CC

 

~&~

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
getting the point everyone laughs at his joke at the wrong time JR
Irishman explaining the steering wheel in his crotch: "It drives me nuts!" JR
spitting out a shell and a tooth WR
cloud gap clean sting of nothing eating JMB

New Years at the beach
her doctor’s face icy              WR

 

~&~

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
getting the point everyone laughs at his joke at the wrong time JR
Irishman explaining the steering wheel in his crotch: "It drives me nuts!" JR
spitting out a shell and a tooth WR
no more press conferences let them read the funnies GD

on which beach can we land
and start another war?             WR

 

~&~

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
the stick I threw now in a dog’s teeth WR
smushed sandcastle curl-lipped snarl of the 98-pound bully CC
covert photos nude beach GD
shortening shadows the spike of a volleyball CC

no viagra left -
he falls short           GD

 

~&~

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
on her hands and knees in front of Grauman’s CC
"Whata beach!" the young tough snarls through slitted eyes JR
a dolphin jumps or was it Eve? WR
Primavera the nymphs swirl their gauze nachos GD

air a screen
nipple lifts in shadow            JMB

on chubby venus
wearing mirror shades               GD

 

 

BLACKOUT
Rule: 3 / 2lines alternating ending with 12 links
Theme: loss, frustration, deprivation

after the blackout
eating all the ice cream quickly
before the power returns Gene Doty

loud-mouthed
the talking scales              CC

she changed
from dressed to naked        WR

no light
plenty quiet          JMB

 

 

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 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
we go to bed goose pimples appear wanted WR
bare feet find the linoleum CC
grano coffee ground heel thought JMB
sijo* jogging his memory in Central Park CC

as night falls
still the fires of the two towers          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
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
smell from next door something stronger than just tobacco JAJ
ashes as the police leave burning marijuana WR
flick. . . flick . . . flick stench of lighter fluid GD
permeating . . . a stick of sandalwood CC

it’s Sunday morning dear
stop – I am praying              WR

patchouli reek
his receding ponytail             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
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
smell from next door something stronger than just tobacco JAJ
ashes as the police leave burning marijuana WR
flick. . . flick . . . flick stench of lighter fluid GD
dust behind the radio stiff rubber band JMB

neither shrinking nor growing
my 8-track collection                   CC

egg cases the spiders left
under the dresser drawers            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
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
bubblegum smack across her face JAJ
wiping her feet at heaven’s gate Pat Shelley CC
"wind do not muss my hair" calm skies on the day of her death JR
the dropped marble rolls out of sight GD
Lew Marie: "Give me Marvin Gardens, or give me death!" CC

eminent domain: dog cringing
from master’s foot               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
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
we go to bed goose pimples appear wanted WR
bare feet find the linoleum CC
grano coffee ground heel thought JMB
splintered edge where the door – sill GD

coin deep in
crack
a pin a clip                 JMB

 

 

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

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

Turquoise
Egret
Neck
Stretched
Into a knot
On
Niece’s Big Chief Tablet CC

Pope
Introduces
Veterans
Of the Swiss Guard
To sharp shooters WR

Military intelligence
Oxymoron
Obfuscates
Normal life JR

For eating
Ribs of
A
Grim
Mad cow
Excellent
New
Tablets available to "get normal"           WR

 

~*~

La Renga Loca
Y
our 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
O
ften
E
dges
T
hrust into a
Reactive
Y
ou            JR

Right now she’s had
Enough of hot weather
No doubt in winter
Going to somewhere warm
All that she will desire JAJ

To
A
nswer
N
otes
R
esponding
E
motion
N
ames
G
reater
A
ppetites JR

Love is
Ever waiting
At another
Place you don’t expect WR

Even
N
ewcomers
J
oin in
O
n
Y
oodles of fun JR

Ready to
Eschew the chains of linking?
No need to.
Garry Gay offers
An artful variation
You’ll love it.                   CC


Only
Nincompoops
Encourage others to
Leave out
Intelligence 
No
Energy
Results in
Silly poems         WR

 

 

SWARMING
6-word links on the
Theme: swarming

Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett
carrying the birds’ idea of food JR
news of doughnuts in the break room cg
the case of the pedophile priest CC
memories of a my own shame JR
that I couldn’t count to six JMB
a handful of ideas to touch JR
flies through broken screen: floor honey GD

sole so slick wave your hands    JMB

 

~*~

Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett
carrying the birds’ idea of food JR
news of doughnuts in the break room cg
the case of the pedophile priest CC
memories of a my own shame JR
that I couldn’t count to six JMB
a handful of ideas to touch JR
cough glue thighs love gland uh JMB

basil and a pinch of nutmeg     CC

without the pill children come too     JR

 

~*~

Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett
carrying the birds’ idea of food JR
news of doughnuts in the break room cg
the case of the pedophile priest CC
memories of a my own shame JR
your daydreams crowding out the cobwebs CC
water the window dry the face JMB
deafening the music of your eyes CC

we’ll swim until death parts us    WR

"watch me, mommy" she said (giggle)   GD

 

~*~

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
flies rest on the burning floor JMB
one victim states he’s not Moslem WR
a crowd at heaven’s gate fighting JR
monk lifted by two holy sisters ??

music by "? and the Mysterians"    CC

sponge soaked in dried stage blood    GD

 

~*~

Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett
carrying the birds’ idea of food JR
news of doughnuts in the break room cg
the case of the pedophile priest CC
memories of a my own shame JR
your daydreams crowding out the cobwebs CC
water the window dry the face JMB
the hokku with one thousand links GD

fantasies given hydraulic help by pills     JR

fleeing the earthquake before the war     WR

 

~*~

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
flies rest on the burning floor JMB
one victim states he’s not Moslem WR
a crowd at heaven’s gate fighting JR
"somewhere over the rainbow, bluebirds fly" GD

the jet I watch brings "little nucs"      WR

 

 

VANILLA RENGA
A plain ol’ renga with 2 / 3 lines for 12 links

smoothing the sea
sunset’s metallic gold
hammered flat                Jane Reichhold

the chocolate and strawberry
carefully removed                      CC

crumpling the foil
to make a ball for the cat         GD

coin awakes
pulls the sheet up                    JMB

Firestone shredding
its tread                                     CC

we’ll see – for sure
this way it can’t go on            WR

 

 

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
jigsaw puzzle factory her missing timecard CC
hissing hose beneath the table JMB
after forty years her breasts still sweet GD
frozen in love the night Dad turned on the light JR

cold shower
our noses share a bubble     CC

shadows
in all our pockets still    JMB

the dream in which a candle’s
energy transforms itself     WR

 

~*~

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
AIDS the joy of giving turned around JR
blue heron passes overhead RF
sky food the gopher learns to fly JR

sky diver and hang-glider
collide at four thousand feet GD

that young -
she hasn’t heard about
two mouths WR

 

~*~

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
AIDS the joy of giving turned around JR
blue heron passes overhead RF
sky food the gopher learns to fly JR
the joke on me echoing into eternity CC

not a word to mail
no paper cut on my lips
once hers WR

 

~*~

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
AIDS the joy of giving turned around JR
at the gulf course hole 18 flooded WR
Sunday the rain clears for a sun day JR
the choir’s strange voices make distant harmonies GD

sweaty from her hands
the him book slips JR

 

~*~

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
jigsaw puzzle factory her missing timecard CC
hissing hose beneath the table JMB
after forty years her breasts still sweet GD

chewing gum
just letting fly
the ball of bubble WR

 

 

 

   
   
 

Submission Rules 

Who We Are

Deadline 
for new links is
May 1, 2004

Links Copyright © Designated Authors 1985 - 2004.
Page Copyright © Jane Reichhold 2004.

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