AHA Books Online
Summer 2005

 

 

           APA-Renga/Lynx  
       20 YEARS OF RENGA

  

 
   
  In these Participation Renga 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

GV
Geert Verbeke

JAJ 
Jean Jorgensen


JJO 
Joyce J. Owens

JC 
Jeanne Cassler

JMB
John M. Bennett

JR 
Jane Reichhold

JS
John Sheirer 

JSJ
Joyce Sandeen Johnson

KCL 
Ken C. Leibman 

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 However, links that clearly neglect the hokku poet's guidelines will not be published.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

 

 


     

PANTY HOSE
Started: July, 1987 Finished: Summer, 1998

panty hose
as she crosses her legs
she whispers              Jane Reichhold

from the back room
a sign             Tom Bingham

on the table
her letter punctuated
with a teardrop           Ken C. Leibman

from the apartment upstairs
a lullaby               Tundra Wind

dinner time
her boyfriend prefers
McDonalds                JR

forever
just a quickie              Larry Giddings

stepp'n out for a stroll
black satin
pink Afro wig              Bob Jessup

hoping at the corner
her husband knows her not            JR

she doesn't remember
what color hair
her hair is               BJ

old photographs
fill the mirror                 Penny Crosby

hissing desire
heated legs
crossing               LG

the disco
is hot tonight                      BJ

lust so intense
the sky yearns           LG

spring reigns
in me
your poem            JR

summer long
summer hot
summer sweet             KCL

we are talking aren't we
about the same things?               JR

moving our warm
and slippery flesh
to make outside and
inside disappear               Eric Folsom

5 o'clock shadow
his shaving cream
on her cheeks                Celeste Fannin

evenly spaced
California Tears
kiss the tarmac             CF

stop it
don't stop it               CF

there
right there
ohhhhh            JR

you want extra?
ten dollars                Jean A. Jorgensen

Reddi-Whip
and green jello at the benefit dinner
1800 calories                       JR

frozen sperm he left
her in his will                       Werner Reichhold

first prize
for he who lasts the longest
a mirror              David Rice

mere breathing
limp hair                 John M. Bennett

lady lawyers
fighting for their right to be
ladies — lawyers            JR

working out on gym machines
to get into better shape            Ronan

after an hour
on the exercise bike
testicles asleep                John Sheirer

sweat streaks mark
the serious riders                  Ronan

the yapping of hounds
every fox within earshot
heads for the hills                    JAJ

up a tree 
the tail 
of a kite                     Carlos Colón

stuck
— the transvestite
with venus envy                JR

he needs a mars bar
juno what i mean?             KCL

Ann Landers yellowing
on the refrigerator                  CC

 

 

PANTY HOSE
panty hose
as she crosses her legs
she whispers           Jane Reichhold

from the back room
a sign         Tom Bingham

on the table
her letter punctuated
with a teardrop             Ken C. Leibman

from the apartment upstairs
a lullaby            Tundra Wind

dinner time
her boyfriend prefers
McDonalds                   JR

forever
just a quickie               Larry Giddings

stepp'n out for a stroll
black satin
pink Afro wig             Bob Jessup

hoping at the corner
her husband knows her not JR

she doesn't remember
what color hair
her hair is             BJ

old photographs
fill the mirror                Penny Crosby

hissing desire
heated legs
crossing              LG

the disco
is hot tonight             BJ

lust so intense
the sky yearns               LG

spring reigns
in me
your poem               JR

summer long
summer hot
summer sweet              KCL

we are talking aren't we
about the same things?         JR

moving our warm
and slippery flesh
to make outside and
inside disappear               Eric Folsom

5 0'clock shadow
his shaving cream
on her cheeks                Celeste Fannin

evenly spaced
California Tears
kiss the tarmac            CF

stop it
don't stop it              CF

there
right there
ohhhhh         JR

you want extra?
ten dollars                 Jean A. Jorgensen

Reddi-Whip
and green jello at the benefit dinner
1800 calories                    JR

frozen sperm he left
her in his will              Werner Reichhold

first prize
for he who lasts the longest
a mirror            David Rice

mere breathing
limp hair               John M. Bennett

lady lawyers
fighting for their right to be
ladies — lawyers               JR

working out on gym machines
to get into better shape              Ronan

after an hour
on the exercise bike
testicles asleep                John Sheirer

sweat streaks mark
the serious riders            Ronan

the yapping of hounds
every fox within earshot
heads for the hills       JAJ

up a tree 
the tail 
of a kite                   Carlos Colón

tomato vine ties
strips of pantyhose
stretch with growth             Joyce Sandeen Johnson

your mate er
swollen globe JMB

 

 

PANTY HOSE
panty hose
as she crosses her legs
she whispers           Jane Reichhold

from the back room
a sign         Tom Bingham

on the table
her letter punctuated
with a teardrop         Ken C. Leibman

from the apartment upstairs
a lullaby              Tundra Wind

dinner time
her boyfriend prefers
McDonalds                     JR

forever
just a quickie           Larry Giddings

stepp'n out for a stroll
black satin
pink Afro wig             Bob Jessup

hoping at the corner
her husband knows her not            JR

she doesn't remember
what color hair
her hair is              BJ

old photographs
fill the mirror           Penny Crosby

hissing desire
heated legs
crossing            LG

the disco
is hot tonight            BJ

lust so intense
the sky yearns           LG

spring reigns
in me
your poem             JR

summer long
summer hot
summer sweet            KCL

we are talking aren't we
about the same things?           JR

moving our warm
and slippery flesh
to make outside and
inside disappear                  Eric Folsom

5 o'clock shadow
his shaving cream
on her cheeks              Celeste Fannin

evenly spaced
California Tears
kiss the tarmac               CF

stop it
don't stop it             CF

there
right there
ohhhhh                JR

you want extra?
ten dollars                Jean A. Jorgensen

Reddi-Whip
and green jello at the benefit dinner
1800 calories               JR

frozen sperm he left
her in his will                 Werner Reichhold

first prize
for he who lasts the longest
a mirror            David Rice

mere breathing
limp hair           John M. Bennett

lady lawyers
fighting for their right to be
ladies — lawyers                 JR

working out on gym machines
to get into better shape                 Ronan

after an hour
on the exercise bike
testicles asleep            John Sheirer

sweat streaks mark
the serious riders             Ronan

the yapping of hounds
every fox within earshot

heads for the hills JAJ

up a tree
 the tail 
of a kite               Carlos Colón

first visit
he sneaks a peek
toward the bedroom CG

hoping she'll take off
those damn' pantyhose              KCL

 

PANTY HOSE
panty hose
as she crosses her legs
she whispers             Jane Reichhold

from the back room
a sign             Tom Bingham

on the table
her letter punctuated
with a teardrop               Ken C. Leibman

from the apartment upstairs
a lullaby               Tundra Wind

dinner time
her boyfriend prefers
McDonalds                 JR

forever
just a quickie              Larry Giddings

stepp'n out for a stroll
black satin
pink Afro wig                 Bob Jessup

hoping at the corner
her husband knows her not              JR

she doesn't remember
what color hair
her hair is                 BJ

old photographs
fill the mirror                Penny Crosby

hissing desire
heated legs
crossing                 LG

the disco
is hot tonight                BJ

lust so intense
the sky yearns             LG

spring reigns
in me
your poem            JR

summer long
summer hot
summer sweet              KCL

we are talking aren't we
about the same things?             JR

moving our warm
and slippery flesh
to make outside and
inside disappear           Eric Folsom

5 o'clock shadow
his shaving cream
on her cheeks                 Celeste Fannin

evenly spaced
California Tears
kiss the tarmac            CF

stop it
don't stop it          CF

there
right there
ohhhhh             JR

you want extra?
ten dollars              Jean A. Jorgensen

Reddi-Whip
and green jello at the benefit dinner
1800 calories                     JR

frozen sperm he left
her in his will                Werner Reichhold

first prize
for he who lasts the longest
a mirror               David Rice

mere breathing
limp hair               John M. Bennett

lady lawyers
fighting for their right to be
ladies — lawyers                JR

working out on gym machines
to get into better shape               Ronan

after an hour
on the exercise bike
testicles asleep                John Sheirer

now for a fast game
of handball                 KCL

swinging the bat
easily over his shoulder
the hunk                   JR

elbowing her way
through the restroom line               Yvonne Hardenbrook

at last
peace and relief
— no more pantyhose        JR

i knew at last
you'd see it my way!              KCL

 

PANTY HOSE

 

panty hose 
as she crosses her legs 
she whispers   Jane Reichhold

 

from the back room 
a sign   TB

 

on the table 
her letter punctuated 
with a  teardrop   Ken C. Leibman

 

from the apartment upstairs 
a lullaby   Tundra Wind

 

dinner time 
her boyfriend prefers   
McDonalds   JR

forever 
just a quickie   Larry Giddings

 

stepp'n out for a stroll 
black satin 
pink Afro wig   Bob Jessup

 

hoping at the corner 
her husband knows her not   JR

she doesn't remember 
what color hair 
her hair is   BJ

 

old photographs 
fill the mirror   Penny Crosby

 

hissing desire 
heated legs 
crossing   LG

 

the disco 
is hot tonight   BJ

 

lust so intense 
the sky yearns   LG

 

spring reigns 
in me 
your poem   JR

 

summer long 
summer hot 

summer sweet   KCL

 

we are talking aren't we
about the same things?   JR

 

moving our warm 
and slippery flesh 

to make outside and      
inside disappear   Eric Folsom

 

5 0'clock shadow 
his shaving cream

on her cheeks   Celeste Fannin

 

evenly spaced 
California Tears 
kiss the tarmac   CF

 

stop it 
don't stop it   CF

 

there 
right there 
ohhhhh   JR

 

you want extra? 
ten dollars   Jean A. Jorgensen

 

Reddi-Whip
and green jello at the benefit dinner

            1800 calories   JR

 

frozen sperm he left
her in his will  Werner Reichhold

 

first prize
for he who lasts the longest
a mirror   David Rice

 

mere breathing  
limp hair   John M. Bennett

 

lady lawyers 
fighting for their right to be 

            ladies — lawyers   JR

 

working out on gym machines 
to  get into better shape   Ronan

 

after an hour
on the exercise bike 
testicles asleep    John Sheirer

 

now for a fast game 
of handball                    KCL

 

swinging the bat
easily over his shoulder

the hunk          JR

 

elbowing her way     
 through the restroom line   Yvonne Hardenbrook

 

at last  
peace and relief
— no more pantyhose  JR

 

what pleasure
freedom                Joyce Sandeen Johnson

 

 

PANTY HOSE
panty hose 
as she crosses her legs 
she whispers            Jane Reichhold

 

from the back room 
a sign                   Tom Bingham

 

on the table 
her letter punctuated 
with a  teardrop                      Ken C. Leibman

 

from the apartment upstairs 
a lullaby                   Tundra Wind

 

dinner time 
her boyfriend prefers   
McDonalds                  JR

forever 
just a quickie                Larry Giddings

 

stepp'n out for a stroll 
black satin 
pink Afro wig                 Bob Jessup

 

hoping at the corner 
her husband knows her not                    JR

she doesn't remember 
what color hair 
her hair is                 BJ

 

old photographs 
fill the mirror                Penny Crosby

 

hissing desire 
heated legs 
crossing                   LG

 

the disco 
is hot tonight                 BJ

 

lust so intense 
the sky yearns          LG

 

spring reigns 
in me 
your poem               JR

 

summer long 
summer hot 
summer sweet            KCL

 

we are talking aren't we
about the same things?        JR

 

moving our warm 
and slippery flesh 

to make outside and      
inside disappear              Eric Folsom

 

5 o'clock shadow 
his shaving cream
on her cheeks                Celeste Fannin

 

evenly spaced 
California Tears 
kiss the tarmac         CF

 

stop it 
don't stop it          CF

 

there 
right there 
ohhhhh            JR

 

you want extra? 
ten dollars             Jean A. Jorgensen

 

Reddi-Whip
and green jello at the benefit dinner
           
1800 calories               JR

 

frozen sperm he left
her in his will                  Werner Reichhold

 

first prize
for he who lasts the longest
a mirror                David Rice

 

mere breathing  
limp hair               John M. Bennett

 

lady lawyers 
fighting for their right to be 
           
ladies — lawyers               JR

 

working out on gym machines 
to  get into better shape            Ronan

 

after an hour
on the exercise bike 
testicles asleep                 John Sheirer

 

now for a fast game 
of handball                    KCL

 

swinging the bat
easily over his shoulder
the hunk          JR

 

elbowing her way     
 through the restroom line               Yvonne Hardenbrook

 

at last  
peace and relief
— no more pantyhose            JR

 

chasing after her
"You forgot something!"                 YH

 

 

PANTY HOSE
panty hose
as she crosses her legs
she whispers                  Jane Reichhold

from the back room
a sign              Tom Bingham

on the table
her letter punctuated
with a teardrop              Ken C. Leibman

from the apartment upstairs
a lullaby             Tundra Wind

dinner time
her boyfriend prefers
McDonalds                   JR

forever
just a quickie            Larry Giddings

stepp'n out for a stroll
black satin
pink Afro wig           Bob Jessup

hoping at the corner
her husband knows her not            JR

she doesn't remember
what color hair
her hair is             BJ

old photographs
fill the mirror                Penny Crosby

hissing desire
heated legs
crossing              LG

the disco
is hot tonight                      BJ

lust so intense
the sky yearns          LG

spring reigns
in me
your poem             JR

summer long
summer hot
summer sweet                 KCL

we are talking aren't we
about the same things?               JR

moving our warm
and slippery flesh
to make outside and
inside disappear                 Eric Folsom

5 o'clock shadow
his shaving cream
on her cheeks Celeste Fannin

evenly spaced
California Tears
kiss the tarmac             CF

stop it
don't stop it            CF

there
right there
ohhhhh              JR

you want extra?
ten dollars               Jean A. Jorgensen

Reddi-Whip
and green jello at the benefit dinner
1800 calories                        JR

frozen sperm he left
her in his will                  Werner Reichhold

first prize
for he who lasts the longest
a mirror               David Rice

mere breathing
limp hair                 John M. Bennett

lady lawyers
fighting for their right to be
ladies — lawyers                    JR

working out on gym machines
to get into better shape            Ronan

after an hour
on the exercise bike
testicles asleep                 John Sheirer

sweat streaks mark
the serious riders             R

the yapping of hounds
every fox within earshot
heads for the hills                       JAJ

glued to a barstool
the foxy lady                    JR

next to her
the poet says "do you come here
often?"                                       KCL

kiss-off
left on the napkin                    Carlos Colón

 

 

 

GETTING OLDER
People, things, ideas, communities getting older
12 links
Started: Summer, 1994 Finished: Autumn, 1998

old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"           Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away                Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning             Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals             Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting             Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight                    George Ralph

skin no longer tight
her face a wrinkled roadmap
well traveled                Jean A. Jorgensen

she was ridden hard
and put away wet           Jane Reichhold

mildewed
my favorite
Oz book               Carlos Colón

another
great film
from 1939              Yvonne Hardenbrook

butterfly – gone
with the zephyr            CC

 

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"              Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away           Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning               Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals          Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting             Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight              George Ralph

skin no longer tight
her face a wrinkled roadmap
well traveled                 Jean A. Jorgensen

she was ridden hard
and put away wet                Jane Reichhold

mildewed
my favorite
Oz book              Carlos Colón

another
great film
from 1939                   Yvonne Hardenbrook

reruns
seeing more
the second time            JAJ

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"               Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away              Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning               Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals              Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting             Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight                George Ralph

skin no longer tight
her face a wrinkled roadmap
well traveled               Jean A. Jorgensen

she was ridden hard
and put away wet              Jane Reichhold

mildewed
my favorite
Oz book           Carlos Colón

another
great film
from 1939             Yvonne Hardenbrook

butterfly – gone
with the zephyr                  CC

 

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"          Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away              Nasira

from arching
to aching           Werner Reichhold

shoelaces
farther away
each morning             Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals                Elizabeth St Jacques

grandmother
looks up the word
"fogey"        Yvonne Hardenbrook

23 skiddoo
Oh, U kid              Gene Doty

computer's acronyms
different ways
to spell confusion                  Ronan

I forget the choices
before the voice mail ends           cindy guntherman

speaker-phone —
each call harder to hear             GD

even the attic
is creakier                  Elizabeth St Jacques

cricket
in the shower-stall
older still                   GD

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"           Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away            Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning                Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals               Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting         Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight                 George Ralph

skin no longer tight
her face a wrinkled roadmap
well traveled              Jean A. Jorgensen

she was ridden hard
and put away wet             Jane Reichhold

mildewed
my favorite
Oz book             Carlos Colón

grandmother's teddy bear
a little bald                  cindy guntherman

old woman’s mustache
as gray as her skin                          GD

 

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"                   Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away                Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning             Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals                Elizabeth St Jacques

turning off her hearing aid —
another ball game                Ronan

upping the volume
on a "Lucy" rerun            GD

again tonight
my open window
and that midnight jogger             ESJ

only street lamp’s light
enters my room                 Ronan

ragged scrapbook
sleeps under dust               cindy guntherman

ink faded
only half
a story           Joyce Sandeen Johnson

Polaroid gone brown
too much light
too many years                          GD

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"          Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away              Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning                Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals        Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting              Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight              George Ralph

the sparkle
of his pearl-white teeth
in the pickle jar                     ESJ

a reflection
thinned in brine                   John M. Bennett

middle-age spread
despite the exercising              Jean A. Jorgensen

passing the makeup counter
with a heavy sigh              ESJ

never thought
I’d have to shave
hairy ears GD

 

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"          Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away           Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning      Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals             Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting           Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight            George Ralph

the sparkle
of his pearl-white teeth
in the pickle jar                    ESJ

a reflection
thinned in brine             John M. Bennett

middle-age spread
despite the exercising               Jean A. Jorgensen

passing the makeup counter
with a heavy sigh          ESJ

Evening in Paris
a distant memory                Yvonne Hardenbrook

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"             Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away            Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning         Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals          Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting        Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight             George Ralph

the sparkle
of his pearl-white teeth
in the pickle jar            ESJ

a reflection
thinned in brine           John M. Bennett

middle-age spread
despite the exercising            Jean A. Jorgensen

learning to see wrinkles
as interesting cracks
in dry clay                     Giselle Maya

his ‘age spots’
darkened by the sun               JAJ

 

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"             Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away             Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning               Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals                Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting            Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight                 George Ralph

skin no longer tight
her face a wrinkled roadmap
well traveled               Jean A. Jorgensen

she was ridden hard
and put away wet                Jane Reichhold

mildewed
my favorite
Oz book                  Carlos Colón

cap pistol
hammer rusted in
cocked position               Gene Doty

it’s only pretend –
why do tears start?              Doris H. Thurston

 

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"                Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away              Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning               Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals                Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting             Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight            George Ralph

skin no longer tight
her face a wrinkled roadmap
well traveled              Jean A. Jorgensen

she was ridden hard
and put away wet             Jane Reichhold

mildewed
my favorite
Oz book             Carlos Colón

cap pistol
hammer rusted in
cocked position                Gene Doty

anticipation high
he pops a Viagra               Lesley Einer

 

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"          Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away         Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning          Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals           Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting          Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight            George Ralph

skin no longer tight
her face a wrinkled roadmap
well traveled              Jean A. Jorgensen

she was ridden hard
and put away wet            Jane Reichhold

mildewed
my favorite
Oz book            Carlos Colón

cap pistol
hammer rusted in
cocked position           Gene Doty

no safety on –
Viagra meltdown               Yvonne Hardenbrook

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"           Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away         Nasira

from arching
to aching                 Werner Reichhold

shoelaces
farther away
each morning               Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals                  Elizabeth St Jacques

grandmother
looks up the word
"fogey"                     Yvonne Hardenbrook

23 skiddoo
Oh, U kid                  Gene Doty

computer's acronyms
different ways
to spell confusion                Ronan

I forget the choices
before the voice mail ends             cindy guntherman

speaker-phone —
each call harder to hear            GD

spotting his hearing aid
she raises her voice             YH

he thumps his cane
for emphasis                       cg

 

 

GETTING OLDER
old woman scowls at ticking clock
"What’s the rush?"              Mary Wittry-Mason

it’s been ten years now
since he passed away               Nasira

shoelaces
farther away
each morning              Gene Doty

how clear his face
through new bifocals             Elizabeth St Jacques

a muggy morning reveals
frost on his beard
interesting             Steve McComas

I remember when his head
didn't reflect
the moonlight               George Ralph

the sparkle
of his pearl-white teeth
in the pickle jar            ESJ

shop teacher polishing
his glass eye             GD

was a gumball
saved from chewing            John M. Bennett

tongue still seeking
the lost molar           Teresa Volz

vacant house
"For Sale" sign                   Joyce Sandeen Johnson

 

LISTENING
12 verses, alternating 3 – 2
Sounds should play a part
Started: Winter, 1994 Finished: Autumn, 1998

listening
to the river
and the rock                   Larry Gross

over and over
"Blue Moon"                  Elizabeth St Jacques

cranking up the Victrola
again
aging sweethearts                   Gene Doty

following his lead
in three-quarter time               Yvonne Hardenbrook

the bass
a half-beat
behind                GD

the guy at the piano
his singing lips                  Werner Reichhold

his lecture growing louder
. . .her glazed eyes              ESJ

silence before
and after the belch             GD

purse-lipped
the librarian raises
an eyebrow              Carlos Colón

creak of the dusty
book opening             GD

gobs of
flickering
light rise                John M. Bennett

and burst like bubbles               Jean A. Jorgensen

 

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock            Larry Gross

wheat
whispering
why                Simon Doubleday

snap
crackle
pop                    Nika

drum solo           Nasira Alma

knocking
at my door
the wind          Gene Doty

the raven's croak
as it rides the thermals                Ken C. Leibman

clouds
silent as
clouds             Ronan

above the trees
hiss of the hot air balloon            Jeanne Cassler

sudden gasps
silent pauses
heart beats  Joyce Sandeen Johnson

barber’s clippers move on
to another head    Cindy Guntherman

a key in the lock
as the last customer leaves    JC

in the dark store
the freezers hum       GD

tuneless whistle
from the cop
on the beat                Yvonne Hardenbrook

 

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock                Larry Gross

wheat
whispering
why              Simon Doubleday

snap
crackle
pop              Nika

drum solo               Nasira Alma

knocking
at my door
the wind                 Gene Doty

the raven's croak
as it rides the thermals              Ken C. Leibman

clouds
silent as
clouds               Ronan

above the trees
hiss of the hot air balloon             Jeanne Cassler

sudden gasps
silent pauses
heart beats               Joyce Sandeen Johnson

barber’s clippers move on
to another head               Cindy Guntherman

a key in the lock
as the last customer leaves      JC

in the dark store
the freezers hum       GD

crystal
wall
or smokes               John M. Bennett

 

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock      Larry Gross

wheat
whispering
why            Simon Doubleday

snap
crackle
pop            Nika

drum solo            Nasira Alma

knocking
at my door
the wind              Gene Doty

the raven's croak
as it rides the thermals                Ken C. Leibman

clouds
silent as
clouds                Ronan

above the trees
hiss of the hot air balloon                    Jeanne Cassler

sudden gasps
silent pauses
heart beats                    Joyce Sandeen Johnson

barber’s clippers move on
to another head                      Cindy Guntherman

a key in the lock
as the last customer leaves             JC

in the dark store
the freezers hum                  GD

crash
of breaking glass
Kristalnacht                  Lesley Einer

 

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock              Larry Gross

wheat
whispering
why                 Simon Doubleday

snap
crackle
pop Nika

drum solo              Nasira Alma

knocking
at my door
the wind                  Gene Doty

the raven's croak
as it rides the thermals                 Ken C. Leibman

clouds
silent as
clouds                Ronan

above the trees
hiss of the hot air balloon            Jeanne Cassler

sudden gasps
silent pauses
heart beats           Joyce Sandeen Johnson

barber’s clippers move on
to another head                      Cindy Guntherman

a key in the lock
as the last customer leaves               JC

in the dark store
the freezers hum           GD

on main street
cars drag racing                    Jean A. Jorgensen

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock          Larry Gross

wheat
whispering
why              Simon Doubleday

snap
crackle
pop                  Nika

drum solo            Nasira Alma

knocking
at my door
the wind                  Gene Doty

the raven's croak
as it rides the thermals          Ken C. Leibman

clouds
silent as
clouds           Ronan

above the trees
hiss of the hot air balloon            Jeanne Cassler

sudden gasps
silent pauses
heart beats         Joyce Sandeen Johnson

barber’s clippers move on
to another head           Cindy Guntherman

a key in the lock
as the last customer leaves             JC

from the next room
radio playing
"Goodnight Sweetheart" JSJ

 

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock           Larry Gross

over and over
"Blue Moon"          Elizabeth St Jacques

cranking up the Victrola
again
aging sweethearts          Gene Doty

following his lead
in three-quarter time             Yvonne Hardenbrook

the bass
a half-beat
behind           GD

the guy at the piano
his singing lips            Werner Reichhold

his lecture growing louder
. . .her glazed eyes              ESJ

silence before
and after the belch        GD

purse-lipped
the librarian raises
an eyebrow          Carlos Colón

the whisper
of riffled pages           Yvonne Hardenbrook

neighbor's
car alarm sounding
— 2 a.m            GD

black as pitch
yet a strange bird calls            YH

suddenly Indians
zing of a bow string
a scream                         Lesley Einer

 

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock       Larry Gross

wheat
whispering
why             Simon Doubleday

snap
crackle
pop                Nika

drum solo               Nasira Alma

knocking
at my door
the wind           Gene Doty

fewer leaves
left to rustle          Yvonne Hardenbrook

toneless key —
another broken piano
string             GD

I've got a new string
for my bow               Ken C. Leibman

not quite dawn
the jay's
infernal screech              Elizabeth St Jacques

after sunset, Jupiter
above barking dogs              GD

overturned garbage
can my younger brother hanging
from the rain gutter                     Carlos Colón

slow drip of rain
in the copper kettle           Pamela G. Conner

still the clouds
empty noisily
into the sodden earth                         Doris H. Thuston

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock          Larry Gross

wheat
whispering
why            Simon Doubleday

snap
crackle
pop            Nika

drum solo              Nasira Alma

knocking
at my door
the wind             Gene Doty

the raven's croak
as it rides the thermals            Ken C. Leibman

clouds
silent as
clouds           Ronan

above the trees
hiss of the hot air balloon                Jeanne Cassler

sudden gasps
silent pauses
heart beats             Joyce Sandeen Johnson

barber’s clippers move on
to another head             Cindy Guntherman

chattering birds
around the birdfeeder
the leashed cat               Jean A. Jorgensen

bees buzzing
ripe pears                    JSJ

wide open deep sky
so silent
falling star’s fading trails            Robert Flannery

 

 

LISTENING
listening
to the river
and the rock          Larry Gross

over and over
"Blue Moon"          Elizabeth St Jacques

cranking up the Victrola
again
aging sweethearts           Gene Doty

following his lead
in three-quarter time          Yvonne Hardenbrook

the bass
a half-beat
behind           GD

the guy at the piano
his singing lips           Werner Reichhold

his lecture growing louder
. . .her glazed eyes           ESJ

silence before
and after the belch           GD

purse-lipped
the librarian raises
an eyebrow                  Carlos Colón

creak of the dusty
book opening GD

hit the mute button
for coming attractions            YH

another war story
her ears glaze over             CC

 

 

 

ON TARGET
5-line links up to 9 verses
Started: Winter, 1995 Finished: Autumn, 1998

an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?           Werner Reichhold

a bull's eye rolls up
a sledge swings down
red the time we stood and delivered
red our swollen heart
so big we scarce could breathe              Steve McComas

unpremeditated
the close-ups too clear
we keep the glasses
on such untamed moves go
to school first at dawn                WR

where is our Rosetta stone?
how will we make sense
of these cryptic days?
she runs her fingertips
down his scar                           SMC

there's a certain red
flickering
as one perceives Mars
whether we question it or not
starlight in our eyes                WR

beyond stars
black holes
universe leaking
which ship
goes next                  Joyce Sandeen Johnson

meanwhile
back here on earth
more sightings
of 3 toed Sasquatch
and UFOs                 Jean A. Jorgensen

and I
not even knowing
what to call
this mushroomy thing
in my back yard                   Cindy Guentherman

the leaves have fallen
I know their earthiness
beneath my feet
from the ground
early morning mist              doris h. thurtson

a touch of brevity
engulfs distant murmurs
in the ochres of spring
– orchids, a leopard snake
and father’s reading voice                      Francis P. Attard

 

 

ON TARGET
an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?      Werner Reichhold

fireflies
left overnight
in a jar
unfinished love poem crumpled-up
on the floor                        Nika

clicking it off
the TV's glow eclipsed
by the moon
my mind wanders
forks I did not take                 Zane Parks

hustled to jail
knives and spoons
spilling from
my tuxedo
one bus token?                George Ralph

waiting
for hours
on a moonlit bench
I re-read
the ransom note                 Carlos Colón

seeing a travel agent
comparing prices both ways
her eyes two islands
I choose shyly the trip
predicting deeper waters                   WR

in the ship's wake
a pair of sea gulls
follow, then tail off
in different directions
the words I meant to say                CC

the tide filling in
the cliff's fold no longer a shade
to use
in particular since
she left without return            WR

can there be return
as yesterday comes?
today I play in shadows
and watch all leavings
for new light.                            doris h.thurston

 

 

ON TARGET
an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?                 Werner Reichhold

fireflies
left overnight
in a jar
unfinished love poem crumpled-up
on the floor                             Nika

clicking it off
the TV's glow eclipsed
by the moon
my mind wanders
forks I did not take                    Zane Parks

hustled to jail
knives and spoons
spilling from
my tuxedo
one bus token?                George Ralph

waiting
for hours
on a moonlit bench
I re-read
the ransom note                Carlos Colón

seeing a travel agent
comparing prices both ways
her eyes two islands
I choose shyly the trip
predicting deeper waters                  WR

cicadas letting go,
light chill evens the memory,
husk hangs
dappled: time shared equally
in the world of solitude                    Francis P. Attard

I catch a sun beam
reflected by the sea
my eyes feel beaten
with the heat of a star
June out for blood                       WR

moon luminous
fierce waves touch
its nocturnal glare
echoes
tantalize                       FPA

 

 

ON TARGET
an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?               Werner Reichhold

a bull's eye rolls up
a sledge swings down
red the time we stood and delivered
red our swollen heart
so big we scarce could breathe           Steve McComas

unpremeditated
the close-ups too clear
we keep the glasses
on such untamed moves go
to school first at dawn                  WR

where is our Rosetta stone?
how will we make sense
of these cryptic days?
she runs her fingertips
down his scar                      SMC

there's a certain red
flickering
as one perceives Mars
whether we question it or not
starlight in our eyes                    WR

beyond stars
black holes
universe leaking
which ship
goes next               Joyce Sandeen Johnson

meanwhile
back here on earth
more sightings
of 3 toed Sasquatch
and UFOs                     Jean A. Jorgensen

and I
not even knowing
what to call
this mushroomy thing
in my back yard            Cindy Guentherman

dark, a stranger
coming to the porch
I feel my anxiousness
sneak through the blinds
see a shadow shortens                WR

thistle blooms
indifferently cast off
closer and closer
glittering lights
dusk emptying profiles                       Francis P. Attard

 

 

ON TARGET
an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?                Werner Reichhold

fireflies
left overnight
in a jar
unfinished love poem crumpled-up
on the floor                          Nika

clicking it off
the TV's glow eclipsed
by the moon
my mind wanders
forks I did not take                Zane Parks

hustled to jail
knives and spoons
spilling from
my tuxedo
one bus token?               George Ralph

waiting
for hours
on a moonlit bench
I re-read
the ransom note                     Carlos Colón

seeing a travel agent
comparing prices both ways
her eyes two islands
I choose shyly the trip
predicting deeper waters                WR

in the ship's wake
a pair of sea gulls
follow, then tail off
in different directions
the words I meant to say                 Carlos Colón

headwinds
another challenge
to true love
memory is an old wound
only now healing                  Yvonne Hardenbrook

A fountain statue.
Athena holds her bows and arrows
nymph nude bathing:
dark feelings sculpt
model’s radiant face twice.                  Francis P. Attard

 

ON TARGET
an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?                Werner Reichhold

fireflies
left overnight
in a jar
unfinished love poem crumpled-up
on the floor                          Nika

clicking it off
the TV's glow eclipsed
by the moon
my mind wanders
forks I did not take                Zane Parks

hustled to jail
knives and spoons
spilling from
my tuxedo
one bus token?               George Ralph

waiting
for hours
on a moonlit bench
I re-read
the ransom note                     Carlos Colón

seeing a travel agent

comparing prices both ways
her eyes two islands
I choose shyly the trip
predicting deeper waters                WR

in the ship's wake
a pair of sea gulls
follow, then tail off
in different directions
the words I meant to say                 Carlos Colón

headwinds
another challenge
to true love
memory is an old wound
only now healing                  Yvonne Hardenbrook

shifting scenery
a room in the new house
the small bed a bridge
on each side guessing
the other one over the sea WR

 

 

ON TARGET
an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?            Werner Reichhold

a bull's eye rolls up
a sledge swings down
red the time we stood and delivered
red our swollen heart
so big we scarce could breathe                   Steve McComas

unpremeditated
the close-ups too clear
we keep the glasses
on such untamed moves go
to school first at dawn               WR

where is our Rosetta stone?
how will we make sense
of these cryptic days?
she runs her fingertips
down his scar                         SMC

there's a certain red
flickering
as one perceives Mars
whether we question it or not
starlight in our eyes                      WR

beyond stars
black holes
universe leaking
which ship
goes next                  Joyce Sandeen Johnson

meanwhile
back here on earth
more sightings
of 3 toed Sasquatch
and UFOs               Jean A. Jorgensen

and I
not even knowing
what to call
this mushroomy thing
in my back yard                 Cindy Guentherman

the leaves have fallen
I know their earthiness
beneath my feet
from the ground
early morning mist                doris h. thurtson

perspiration
soaks her body
as she digs through the grain
haunting. . . her anguished cries
as she finds a small boy’s shoe                 JAJ

alone we may mark
the mind-calendar
with raindrops
but the room estimated
as too small for a house            WR

 

 

ON TARGET
an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?                     Werner Reichhold

fireflies
left overnight
in a jar
unfinished love poem crumpled-up
on the floor                             Nika

clicking it off
the TV's glow eclipsed
by the moon
my mind wanders
forks I did not take                  Zane Parks

hustled to jail
knives and spoons
spilling from
my tuxedo
one bus token?                   George Ralph

waiting
for hours
on a moonlit bench
I re-read
the ransom note                Carlos Colón

seeing a travel agent
comparing prices both ways
her eyes two islands
I choose shyly the trip
predicting deeper waters                 WR

in the ship's wake
a pair of sea gulls
follow, then tail off
in different directions
the words I meant to say                 Carlos Colón

cage an envelope,
tape like iron bars firm in place
along every seam –
breaking it out open, out leaps
this year's first Lynx           Francis P. Attard

arena pool
a dolphin balancing
the only ball left
we couldn’t let dance
on our noses                      WR

 

ON TARGET
an arrow
traced back from the heart
to the bow
a candle is blown out
who took the flame?                    Werner Reichhold

a bull's eye rolls up
a sledge swings down
red the time we stood and delivered
red our swollen heart
so big we scarce could breathe             Steve McComas

unpremeditated
the close-ups too clear
we keep the glasses
on such untamed moves go
to school first at dawn                    WR

where is our Rosetta stone?
how will we make sense
of these cryptic days?
she runs her fingertips
down his scar              SMC

there's a certain red
flickering
as one perceives Mars
whether we question it or not
starlight in our eyes              WR

beyond stars
black holes
universe leaking
which ship
goes next               Joyce Sandeen Johnson

meanwhile
back here on earth
more sightings
of 3 toed Sasquatch
and UFOs               Jean A. Jorgensen

and I
not even knowing
what to call
this mushroomy thing
in my back yard                 Cindy Guentherman

chisel
and stone, hand
hammer
the model's heart fakes
Aphrodite's breath                 Francis P. Attard

stage rehearsal
warriors hanging around
theological weapons
when a plastic horse opens
out jumps another clown                               WR

 

 

SWELLING IN THE SUN
12 LINKS of 3,2,1,3,2,1 etc. Theme: free
Started: Summer, 1994 Finished: Autumn, 1998

green quarry pond
spotted poland china island
swelling in the sun                 Steve McComas

pink granite
blue willow moss                 Eric Folsom

soaking up
summer rain                Nika

in ankle-deep water
turning over stones
looking for leeches               SMC

they happen to drop by
at dinner time again                George Ralph

cutting the fish sticks
in half                Carlos Colón

again and again
it also worked
for the bread                       Larry C. Gross

stuffing more green
into the bank account               Elizabeth St Jacques

where moth doth corrupt
where mother doth corrupt                  KCL + ESJ

another serving
in the White House
sour wine               ESJ

awaiting my subpoena. . .
Clinton brushed against me
once in a crowd                 Pamela G. Connor

green purse
gone from her shoulder               CC

 

SWELLING IN THE SUN
green quarry pond
spotted poland china island
swelling in the sun           Steve McComas

pink granite
blue willow moss            Eric Folsom

soaking up
summer rain                 Nika

in ankle-deep water
turning over stones
looking for leeches            SMC

even the mud sucks
at its boundary             Madeline H. Hoffer

scattering water striders           SMC

walking
in the shoes
of the fisherman         Larry C. Gross

a lightning bug
searching its darkness            Cindy Guentherman

Venus bright in the west               Jean A. Jorgensen

as trees flatten to silhouettes,
beehives scent the darkening air
with ripening honey-nectar.               Robert Flannery

humming birds
hover at their feeder               Joyce Sandeen Johnson

old woman sips tea             JAJ

 

 

SWELLING IN THE SUN
green quarry pond
spotted poland china island
swelling in the sun              Steve McComas

pink granite
blue willow moss            Eric Folsom

soaking up
summer rain          Nika

in ankle-deep water
turning over stones
looking for leeches               SMC

even the mud sucks
at its boundary             Madeline H. Hoffer

scattering water striders                SMC

walking
in the shoes
of the fisherman             Larry C. Gross

the beginner
hooks his own right ear                SMC

blood berry in the sun            John M. Bennett

startled
scarecrow awake
dogs snarling                 Francis P.Attard

the bears keep
to their corner
of the patch               Darrel W. Perry

touching tares
chaotic skin swelling
red silent screams                      FPA

 

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