Participation Renga


TABLE OF CONTENTS XVII:3, October, 2002			LYNX A Journal for Linking Poets



	*In these Participation Renga from Lynx* you will find links from: AB Alice Benedict BJ Bob Jessup CC Carlos Colón CF Vikki Maldonado CG Cindy Guntherman CSK Carol Stroh Kemp dht Doris H. Thurston DR David Rice DWP Darrel W. Parry EF Eric Folsom ESJ Elizabeth St Jacques FA Fay Aoyagi FP Francine Porad FPA Francis (Paul) Attard GD Gene Doty GM Giselle Maya GR George Ralph JAJ Jean Jorgensen JC Jeanne Cassler JMB John M. Bennett JR Jane Reichhold JS John Sheirer JSJ Joyce Sandeen Johnson KCL Kenneth C. Leibman LCG Larry Gross LE Lesley Einer LJ Lael Johnson MHH Madeline Hoffer ML Minna Lerman MM Marianne Marks MWM Mary Wittry-Mason N Nika NA Nasira Alma PC Penny Crosby PGC Pamela Connor PJS P.J. Sharpe PS Pat Shelley R 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 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 However, links that clearly neglect the hokku poet's guidelines will not be published.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: Jan 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 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 splashes at the middle as a boat cuts the wave WR ~~ fulfilling a last request gray north wind pummels with heavy drops Robert Flannery in rain the rocks find their colors cg drilling three holes - the rose quartz bowling trophy CC in the pub end of September most darts missing the target WR getting the point everyone laughs at his joke at the wrong time JR the ticking of the clock enough to drive you mad JAJ eating ice cream in the dark no more blondes WR ~~ fulfilling a last request gray north wind pummels with heavy drops Robert Flannery in rain the rocks find their colors cg missing the obvious he slashes his foot on a mussel-covered rock JAJ coming home quietly broken shells and I WR growing older yet the comfort of seeing Grandmother Ocean JR a new set of dentures mom’s perfect smile JAJ calling – and calling back two seals WR ~~ fulfilling a last request gray north wind pummels with heavy drops Robert Flannery in rain the rocks find their colors cg missing the obvious he slashes his foot on a mussel-covered rock JAJ coming home quietly broken shells and I WR her new treasure a wagon full of driftwood JAJ the stick I threw now in a dog’s teeth WR ~~ 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 GENTLY WIPING DUST Alternate 3-line and 2-line links for 100 lines Theme: impermanence, transitoriness gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH battery low the calculator reads "ERROR" GD the new player late for the first game RF dealing cards to an empty chair careless of how they land GD face-down $10,000 poorer CC richer for the experience bottoms up YH "How do you stop a wino from charging?" CC at the end of that rainbow no credit card cg back to the diner waiting tables JSJ old woman slips jelly packets into her purse cg mistaking a condom / for a condiment GD runs her tongue / over red lips, / snaps her purse shut cg Quiet out at sea the boat sinks JMB hot songs melt the wax from sailors' ears GD listening to a star leaving the lake WR heaving light beneath the wave JMB fingerprint in the pink birthday frosting cg bubblegum smack across her face JAJ your mask your chewing JMB wiping her feet at heaven’s gate Pat Shelley CC ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting down the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH was never very good at math MHH one more short story attempt into the waste basket GR sharp edges cutting through the trash bag shadows leaking out GD thickening juice from the black beans can JMB long time on shelf honey crystallizes sticky jar JSJ mustard seeds pop in hot oil GD it will be a cold day in July when I cook again YH even the firecrackers refuse to light – a rainy fourth! dht indoors all afternoon two boys play Civil War one gray; one blue RF refugee children / strangers to laughter PGC stray sniffing / stranded starfish – / gray sky's cold FPA mackerel clouds reach every horizon piling the sea JR broken thermometer poisonous mercury scatters everywhere JAJ driving through a school zone spray of sparrows RF 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 ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting the failing heart GD she tries to add up all the good times YH battery low the calculator reads "ERROR" GD the new player late for the first game RF dealing cards to an empty chair careless of how they land GD face-down $10,000 poorer CC richer for the experience bottoms up YH "How do you stop a wino from charging?" CC at the end of that rainbow no credit card cg back to the diner waiting tables JSJ old woman slips jelly packets into her purse cg mistaking a condom / for a condiment GD runs her tongue / over red lips, / snaps her purse shut cg Quiet out at sea the boat sinks JMB hot songs melt the wax from sailors' ears GD The Great Lost Kinks Album needle stuck in the last groove CC "Just a little prick" nurse with a syringe GD suddenly all the puppies’ eyes open cg trying to make sense of all that blue JAJ Doberman licking clean the palette CC from floor to ceiling open sky CC ~~ gently wiping dust from grandmother's photograph october windsong TW warm fall days chill at sunset BJ last rush of color outdoing itself virginia creeper PC nights behind closed eyes images in red float by JR taps at sunrise opening daylilies on their graves PC flowers of our youth gone – everyone MM mind wasting memories disappear one by one JAJ haiku eagle gliding in a sea of chance LCG meteorite streaks across the night sky sudden cool breeze MWM morning sun on a bayou mist KCL first snow already melting dancing barefoot JAJ thinking of Tundra buying new shoes TLG breath suspended overhead, the northern lights in slow dance JAJ father and son pause for a long moment RF breeze changing course weeds in the dark field bend again GR up ahead another hidden curve ESJ SOFT SHOULDERS warning he glances at his wife their 50th year GR finishing the school of hard knocks YH digital display counting 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 ~~ 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 the infinite parallelism returns back in the saddle again WEG taped to the lightpost a picture of the missing girl her gap-toothed smile JAJ we go to bed goosepimples appear wanted WR JUST DAUGHTERS 12 links theme: family relationships In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg "get water from the well" she said, wanting me out of the kitchen GM mother and son discuss making pickles JAJ sex education must, say the educators begin at home JR old uncle's eyes slowly derobe his niece ESJ out of the closet so many cases of family incest JAJ his face cut out of every photo – family album GD bickering siblings dys-ing each other CC what’s that you say? family all scattered? pity JAJ ~~ In the graveyard a carved stone angel with my daughter's face GM grandma in her rocker turning clouds into faces cg "get water from the well" she said, wanting me out of the kitchen GM mother and son discuss making pickles JAJ sex education must, say the educators begin at home JR old uncle's eyes slowly disrobe his niece ESJ out of the closet so many cases of family incest JAJ vodka or gin? or just male sin? JR no anesthetic mothers hold down daughters for cliterectomy JAJ passing along traditions with the shame/blame JR bar laughter as we clean second teeth WR ~~ 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 masked flesh the bone is face JMB under my feet a spring of Spring water rushes over them WEG "Yes" might have been easier but she didn’t love him JAJ LA RENGA LOCA Rules: This is an acrostic renga. Subsequent links must spell out some haikai-related word by reading the first letter of each word down the lines. Finish with 12 links. La Renga Loca Your muses lock horns with Night Blooming Jazzman X-treme Poetry – Carlos Colón She wouldn’t be as Holy I F The 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 ~~ La Renga Loca Your muses lock horns with Night Blooming Jazzman X-treme Poetry – Carlos Colón How easy it is Always writing verbs that end In ing Keep it to a minimum and Use the present tense without JAJ talking willingly in the manner of stereotypes used for a thousand times WR Proper feelings Often Edges Thrust 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 ~~ La Renga Loca Your muses lock horns with Night Blooming Jazzman X-treme Poetry – Carlos Colón How easy it is Always writing verbs that end In ing Keep it to a minimum and Use the present tense without JAJ talking willingly in the manner of stereotypes used for a thousand times WR Seven between five & five You require seventeen total Lovingly Layered Any nonconformist had Better Look Elsewhere CC Saying things About the world Brings Impressions Which Awaken Blessed Instincts JR Zip, please Elizabeth hands back her phone Number WR MOST BEAUTIFUL GAME 7 Links (now extended to 12) Rule: each link is a question; no answers! What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF What are you seeking / when you smile / at strangers? JSJ Where do we come from / Why are we going? GM Do you see that very bright star? JAJ How about in five hundred years? RF Can I buy shares in stockings interneted WR what is the price of peers’ pears palliated on a pair of piers? JR where did your charm bracelet go? JAJ Can there be love stored in a bank safe? WR Mrs. Ginko, is she out on another walk? CC will it die with the heart? JAJ ~~ 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 This was where, wasn’t it? JMB Does 12 sound any better? JAJ Will your poetry be a true salve? WEG ~~ What are the rules / for the most beautiful game, / and who can play? RF What are you seeking / when you smile / at strangers? JSJ Where do we come from / Why are we going? GM what's the joke about navel seamen? JR how many syllables does it take to screw up a haiku? CC does it come from your head or your gut? cg How can rain fall from empty sky? RF Will that be a C cup or a D? JAJ or a U between? JMB Shall we be tween-agers again? JR SWARMING 6-word links on the Theme: swarming Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett just as the sunflower opens – bees! cg wind - did I ever run faster? WR bees smell an intruder JAJ hate’im love ‘im Barry Manilow 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 children flipping raisins at the wall WR flies rest on the burning floor JMB* ~~ Storm a hand, shape of wind - John M. Bennett carrying the birds’ idea of food JR news of doughnuts in the break room cg the case of the pedophile priest CC memories of my own shame JR* TIME with 3, 2 liners up to 12 links Theme: time's length and limits birds winging south / no speed limit / only time JSJ for how long / this dream? RF clocks changed again - / spring ahead / fall back GM 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 ~~ 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 ~~ birds winging south / no speed limit / only time JSJ for how long / this dream? RF clocks changed again - / spring ahead / fall back GM Nasira waiting for us at the edge of eternity CC oh to sit forever in the warm cradle of the moon ESJ even now we walk through the breath of angels cg spinning from the top of a wave my next shape JR 45 rpms unturned for years GD aging hippie – rolling stoned and gathering moss CC across a diminishing tundra the endangered moose 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 turning the switch off the light still leaks a little alongside her breasts WR jigsaw puzzle factory her missing timecard CC ~*~ 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



	Submission Rules Who We Are Deadline for new links is January 1, 2003	Links Copyright © Designated Authors 1985 - 2002 Page Copyright © Jane Reichhold 2002 Check out the previous Participation Renga. Feel you need to learn a bit more about Renga?