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TABLE OF CONTENTS

XX:3 October, 2005

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

CM
Cristian Mocanu

CSK
Carol Stroh Kemp 

dht
Doris H. Thurston 

DPK
Deborah P. Kolidji

DR 
David Rice

DWP
Darrel W. Parry

EF 
Eric Folsom

EL
Eva LaVollette

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

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 However, links that clearly neglect the hokku poet's guidelines will not be published.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

 


   

(Remember - only add on to the links in bold italic.)

 

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB

loud mouthed    the talking scales     CC
hear the wasps     walking    on your hat     JMB
she says I am glad your eyes don’t sting    WR

Back for the Louvre -  I’m asked if I’ve met   the Mona Lisa               FPA

the smile  behind her lips    CC

 the mile
spread
behind her hips       JMB

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB

loud mouthed    the talking scales     CC
hear the wasps     walking    on your hat     JMB
she says I am glad your eyes don’t sting    WR

Back for the Louvre -  I’m asked if I’ve met   the Mona Lisa               FPA

in my pocket, a snapshot as a warm day’s reminder    CM

 

mouth shade
lips and teeth devoted
to a smile                          WR

 

each time a tale
& tales grow in number
cry of a cicada                        FPA

 

digital image
crumbling by pixels –
memory crash                  GD

 

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB

loud mouthed    the talking scales     CC
automated checkout –   ”please ask for cashier   assistance”    GD

condom dispenser              a hatchet-faced clerk    JR

sticky shoulders    beneath the shirt    JMB

rest of an evening    I hear the late hours’  call from other faces    WR

 jovial voice & frank talk
at the fire-eater’s table     FPA

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB

loud mouthed    the talking scales     CC
automated checkout –   ”please ask for cashier   assistance”    GD

condom dispenser              a hatchet-faced clerk    JR

discarded       in the fallen leaves -    a moment of passion   GD

washed into dawn    I am holding on to     half a moon    WR

 

pale sky waits for a cloud
to paint its silver lining     FPA

 

that’s Jupiter
dancing in and out;
the moon’s horns     GD

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB
dream time    when I see words   unmasked     WR

sensory deprivation              chamber unplugged    CC

black air      feeding from the dark     an owl      WR

Luggage steaming   in the bush     JMB

 home to mother
warm iron
in her travel bag      CC

 

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB
dream time    when I see words   unmasked     WR

stuck in traffic                         again dancing alone    CF

land locked   the wave I hear      on cliffs              WR

finding a key    made of sand  JR

 field stubble
farmer’s cropped hair
spikey                                      FPA

  

we furnish the room
in the kelp castle
a sunbeam the bed    WR

 

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB
dream time    when I see words   unmasked     WR

unguarded mirror           returns light slowly     GD

the ocean     and the suburban   both homeless   GV

the term “mother”   names cover them    JR 

faces out of the pages
of history – carved out of
a mountain face                 FPA

  

attached
she sends me a koan
plus a virus     WR

 

 ~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB

loud mouthed    the talking scales     CC

automated checkout –   ”please ask for cashier   assistance”    GD

condom dispenser              a hatchet-faced clerk    JR

discarded    in the fallen leaves -  a moment of passion   GD

the budding tree  reminds him of her    JR

 deep sleep
with me the hallowed
touchstones                 WR

 

dropping puzzle
pieces in her lap
a picture forms      GD

 

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB

loud mouthed    the talking scales     CC
hear the wasps     walking    on your hat     JMB

trembling as the door opens –  no escape, no refuge         GD

backstage      Juliet and her Romeo     palm to palm     FPA

divorce court   the judge’s wife’s lipstick   CC

 gaveling
the spectators to silence –
smack! smack! smack!     GD

 

 ~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB
dream time    when I see words   unmasked     WR

sensory deprivation              chamber unplugged    CC

black air      feeding from the dark     an owl      WR

waterfront beacon     Maigret’s pipe      FPA  

the glow
that doesn’t warm
a ho’s smile     JR

 

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB
dream time    when I see words   unmasked     WR

unguarded mirror           returns light slowly     GD

a magnet breaks      into two equal magnets  CF

ages in a rocking chair  woodman forgetful  of the tree         FPA

 creaking limbs
his, hers, and its  JR

 

 

~&~

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

no light  plenty quiet    JMB
dream time    when I see words   unmasked     WR

unguarded mirror           returns light slowly     GD

a magnet breaks      into two equal magnets  CF

one blitz only    then no more light     after radiation     WR

 trying to understand nations
why anyone would drop a bomb     JR

 

GENTLY WIPING DUST
Alternate 3-line and 2-line links for 100 lines
Theme: impermanence, transitoriness

gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW
warm fall days chill at sunset BJ
last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC
nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR
taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC
flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM
mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ
haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG
meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM
morning sun on a bayou mist KCL
first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ
thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG
breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ
father and son pause for a long moment RF

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
egg cases the spiders left    under the dresser drawers     GD
a card a match a     tooth a whisker a    french fry a               JMB
borrowed words  we never return    JR
transformed      puddles into ice rinks   CF
feet flying     those ruby red boots    with silver blades   JR

 

passing nine and eleven
I get to twelve not to zero      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
dust behind the radio   stiff      rubber band     JMB
egg cases the spiders left    under the dresser drawers     GD
a card a match a     tooth a whisker a    french fry a               JMB
borrowed words  we never return    JR
a call to silence -     the sound of a hammer    on the anvil                    FPA
whispered prayers    the death of a Pope    CC

 postmarked in the Alps
his picture in a straw hat
framed on my desk     FPA

taken from me
by a soap bubble
the face of water      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
lectionary’s     faded pages, cross  references       GD
trivia in the junk shop      letters in medieval script      FPA
Friar Tuck’s    lost shopping list       a new habit   GD
from rich to poor     the feathered arrow    CC

 cutting in halves
the flesh 
 
of cherry trees               WR

analyst’s daughter
proud of her tall tower
of Rorschach cards      FPA

 courthouse parking
the buff Mercedes beside
the Ford Focus                    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
returns in a dream    rock face I photographed  with no point in mind    FPA
the sandstone nose    washing away     JMB
oh-oh-oh     snuff-snuff-snuffle   caShoo                GD

sweet potato moon   ushered into view    FPA

 the red moon pales
as it rises above
the pollution     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
sijo*    jogging his memory   in Central Park   CC
as night falls   still the fires of the two towers     WR
unfiltered dust   the masks     of the rescue workers                CC
disaster on TV    close the windows       GD
leaping the fence     every pocket filled    with apples          CC
inclined to follow   paw prints of a cat   WR

excited the dog
sniffs the grass
in a widening circle    GD

 beckoning me
the curl
of a tale      CC

 

~*~

gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW
warm fall days chill at sunset BJ
last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC
nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR
taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC
flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM
mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ
haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG
meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM
morning sun on a bayou mist KCL
first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ
thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG
breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ
father and son pause for a long moment RF

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
returns in a dream    rock face I photographed    with no point in mind    FPA
the sandstone nose    washing away     JMB
on a postscript      warned of insomnia waves   pound a hunter’s moon    FPA
my old manual    the barely legible letters       CC

 tombstone script
mostly turned to dust
only vowels remain     GD

 h lf  wh t e
s id
w as   it ching       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
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
bouncing off     the rim   clipped toenail    CC

says she hates cobwebs    the cleaning lady         FPA
guests leaving     she stays     with pearls    WR
idling engine   I restart it    CC
 

hybrids have it
up the hill
a standstill    WR

 

~*~

gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW
warm fall days chill at sunset BJ
last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC
nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR
taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC
flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM
mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ
haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG
meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM
morning sun on a bayou mist KCL
first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ
thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG
breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ
father and son pause for a long moment RF
breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR
up ahead another hidden curve ESJ
SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR
finishing the school of hard knocks YH
digital display counting 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
unfiltered dust   the masks     of the rescue workers                CC
disaster on TV    close the windows       GD
leaping the fence     every pocket filled    with apples          CC
swept away      by the waves      his past             GV
seed-light    the candle flickers  pumpkin round  WR
 

curing
my acting itch
this ham costume    CC

 

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

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

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
patchouli reek   his receding ponytail    GD
rainbowed     the new bag    of rubber bands   CC
round and round the vase                roses                       CF
steps I make      moon by moon   without sandals    WR

in the direction of    a skein of geese    FPA

 morning meadow
a herd of sheep
making an ewe turn     CC

 

 &

gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW
warm fall days chill at sunset BJ
last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC
nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR
taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC
flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM
mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ
haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG
meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM
morning sun on a bayou mist KCL
first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ
thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG
breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ
father and son pause for a long moment RF

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
lectionary’s     faded pages, cross  references       GD
trivia in the junk shop      letters in medieval script      FPA
under the bunk      a trunkful   of playbills   CC
spiders       and a french-fry    sticky dust   JMB

one of those guys who needs
a snack of left-overs afterwards               JR

 

 

 

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
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
the brain curves vertical landing fields  WR
sci-fic novels pile by my bed   JR
chewing then choking yellow sea slugs   WR
face in plate a dripping spiral   JMB

 cool moon wears a bright halo     FPA

 

~&~
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
birds of prey osprey and kite   FPA
vultures on bended knees as nuns   JR
fire extinguished but seldom blown out    WR
the poem submitted to another contest   JR

the words reversed the title air            JMB

wheat and the chaff nightfall categories   FPA

county fair winners and losers cry     GD

“Hm,” she says, “another honorable mention.”    CC

 

~&~
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
the brain curves vertical landing fields  WR
past the headache’s light the wall     JMB
the witty wife’s world wide witchery    WR
Scrabble game I shuffle seven consonants CC

tarot dealer cheating again hides Death    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
deafening the music of your eyes   CC
we’ll swim until death parts us    WR
center of the storm – paradise island  JR
cosmic beach Milky Way all lit    FPA
flaring match lights the electric bill     CC
no moon standing between wind chimes VF

a sound in the dark – bright   JR

 pretend the wind and power vanished    CC

 

 

 

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

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

Firestone shredding
its tread                     CC

grating cheese
on the chopped vegetables
April lunchtime                   GD

Hellman’s left
in the fridge     CC

squeeze-bottle
collapsed on its
sticky innards     GD

smell circles outward
from the skunk roadkill    JR
 

the perimeter
of where I boxed
myself in        CC

 

closing the window
perfumes in a mix
of four-legged creatures    WR

 

~&~

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

coin awakes
pulls the sheet up     JMB

my river
your ocean
gone fishin      CF

garden’s old pond
goldfish round a blue moon      FPA

spun dirt
cloud sunk
rice dissolves   JMB

the tornado spins a top
its own brainless mind   JR
 

Katrina comes
Katrina leaves
from time to time   WR

 

~&~

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

coin awakes
pulls the sheet up     JMB

my river
your ocean
gone fishin      CF

garden’s old pond
goldfish round a blue moon      FPA

where Basho
once walked all night
tourists    JR

drenched shirt
collar on fire   JMB
 

Shrove Tuesday
late to receive by post
the mask for the ball      FPA

 

~&~

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

crumpling the foil
to make a ball for the cat    GD 

recyling
junk mail
a new poem   JR 

plagiarized
punch line    CC 

copycats
serving the drink designed
by Martha Stewart    JR
 

“The quality of mercy
is not strained, -“etc., etc.  FPA

furrin accent
my kingdom
for a hearse      CC

 

 ~&~

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

the chocolate and strawberry
carefully removed            CC 

on her back
running down the spine
whipped cream              WR
 

Reddi or not
here I come!           CC
 

sundae or son day
a confusion of words
is my delight               JR
 

joining a rare
rural joint      WR
 

country store
a checkerboard between
two barrels       CC

 

 

~&~ 

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

crumpling the foil
to make a ball for the cat    GD 

recyling
junk mail
a new poem   JR 

plagiarized
punch line    CC 

copycats
serving the drink designed
by Martha Stewart    JR
 

a chip in
the china plate    CC
 

the sake cup
made valuable by the crack
gold-filled                             JR

 

~&~ 

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

crumpling the foil
to make a ball for the cat    GD 

catch –
the door bell
and hers mingling     WR 

soles of sleep
pooled beneath    JMB 

the knitted sleeve
mended with knurled fingers
the same old dream    JR
 

on my winter window
breath becomes frozen thistles   WR
 

the flower
I bring you only
at night                  JR

 

~&~

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

coin awakes
pulls the sheet up     JMB 

my river
your ocean
gone fishin      CF 

garden’s old pond
goldfish round a blue moon      FPA 

where Basho
once walked all night
tourists    JR 

a monarch
on the golf course    FPA
 

still in awe
even when it is only
a butterfly                  JR

 

 

~&~

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

coin awakes
pulls the sheet up     JMB 

my river
your ocean
gone fishin      CF 

once before when two
alone felt united       WR
 

he said
“your enemy is my friend”
and smiled                                 JR 

swabbed off its flank
lion’s anesthetic pinch   FPA 

best part of the show
the film begins with
Metro-Golden Mayer       JR

 

 

 

WHEELING ALONG
5-liners, verse or prose
ends with 12 links

a wheel keeps spinning
the hamster long dead
on its path
on my path
an inaudible breeze     WR

bands spiral by
the bright round moon
languid luminosities
whisper of
the coming storm   EL 

opens our eyes
with a wake of destruction
flooding
left by the hurricane
seems to be endless tears   JR

 

she guesses
implanted sperm
close to a dream
peeked twins will become
ritual dancers      WR

 

 

 

&

a wheel keeps spinning
the hamster long dead
on its path
on my path
an inaudible breeze     WR

closing eyes
against the sea that
swallows the sun
the ache of being diminished
by a most marvelous day   JR
 

following
dotted lines
another mile closer
to my daughter’s
final flight       CC 

 

spreading
with a string of juice
a bee
on its flight
luminous fragrance     WR

 

~&~

a wheel keeps spinning
the hamster long dead
on its path
on my path
an inaudible breeze     WR

April 15
hardly any time
left to meet
the deadline
for links           CC

with poems
paying my taxes
the IRS
has nothing to do with
a goddess named Iris    JR  

 

   
   
 

Submission Rules 

Who We Are

Deadline 
for new links is
January. 1, 2006

L inks Copyright © Designated Authors 1985 - 2005.
Page Copyright © Jane Reichhold 2005.

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