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TABLE OF CONTENTS

XVIII:2 June, 2003

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 

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 However, links that clearly neglect the hokku poet's guidelines will not be published.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

 

~*~

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

 

~*~

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

 

~*~

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
swirling swirling the sound of a siren CC

Ah – those uniformed
uncovering us       WR

 

~*~

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

 

~*~

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

 

 

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

the gloss
I once have taken care for
now divided                WR

grano
coffee ground
heel thought        JMB

~*~

gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW
warm fall days chill at sunset BJ
last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC
nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR
taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC
flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM
mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ
haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG
meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM
morning sun on a bayou mist KCL

first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ
thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG
breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ
father and son pause for a long moment RF
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

 

~*~

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
stripped one lug nut on each wheel CC
churned crust JMB

old dog appears at my hands
hoping for a treat               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 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

 

A 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

~*~

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
You          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

 

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

~*~

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

~*~

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

 

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

 

~*~

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

 

~*~

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

 

 

THESE FOLLOWING RENGA END WITH THIS ROUND 
DO NOT ADD ON - JUST ENJOY THE GOOD WORK

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
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
whispering "no" she turns a little more red WR
under my feet a spring of Spring water rushes over them WEG
both eyes shut at night I see more WR

smoke
billows from the forgotten
skillet                           GD

 

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
what’s that you say? family all scattered? pity JAJ
girls walking 14 miles to join war protesters WR

the battle continues 
for security          JR

~*~

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
whispering "no" she turns a little more red WR
"Yes" might have been easier but she didn’t love him JAJ
strong women raising hell along with the kids JR

April of Baghdad
one deep wound
through our faces     WR

 

MOST BEAUTIFUL GAME
7 Links (now extended to 12)
Rule: each link is a question; no answers!
ENDS WITH THIS VERSION – DO NOT ADD ON

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
Wasn’t this supposed to stop at 7? CC
Does 12 sound any better? JAJ
Shall we measure it by the yard or by the meter? CC

Can you name the peter?      JMB

~*~

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
Wasn’t this supposed to stop at 7? CC
Will your poetry be a true salve? WEG
Whatever cures your itch? JR


What if an unjust war
mutilates you forever?     WR

 

TIME
with 3, 2 liners up to 12 links
Theme: time's length and limits
Finished! Do not add on.

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
Like Harold Lloyd another hanger-on CC
name-dropping the same sounds come and go JR

you came the
name the same       JMB

 

~*~

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
out with the tide one hand not clapping WR
clung sand hot napping flat with the ride JMB

a pack of cards
becomes the enemy    JR

 

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
out with the tide one hand not clapping WR
a few miles out they want to scuttle nuclear submarines BF

railway embankments
cleared of underbrush -
house finches gone    GD

 

 

   
   
 

Submission Rules 

Who We Are

Deadline for new links is
SEPTEMBER 1, 2003

Links Copyright © Designated Authors 1985 - 2003.
Page Copyright © Jane Reichhold 2003.

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