SYMBIOTIC XVIII:2, June 2003


TABLE OF CONTENTS XVIII:2 June, 2003		LYNX A Journal for Linking Poets



	SYMBIOTIC POETRY: ON A THOUSAND BRANCHES Linda Jeannette Ward Pamela A. Babusci DUST BITES MAN Marlene Mountain Suhni Bell STAPLED Suhni Bell Marlene Mountain THREE CROSSES Suhni Bell Carmen Sterba RICH AND POOR LIVES Renjyu: Alex, Amy, Andrew, Chloe, John, Jordan, Josh, Lee, Paul, Matthew, Sarah, Sean H, Shannon, Shauni, Stephen & Thomas Teacher: John Carley LAP MINGLE John M. Bennett Jim Leftwich SFLUIT John M. Bennett Jim Leftwich EAST LANCASHIRE Megan, Joe, Jared, John, Nathaniel & Andrea. Teacher: John Carley ICE CREAM SUNDAE vs1 Hannah B & Laura vs2 Anthony, Jordan, Liam & Sam vs3 Ryan, Daniel V & Chris vs4 Nathan, Lee, Reece, Jake & Daniel Pr vs5 Samuel, Daniel & Lynn vs 6 Jaimee-Lee, Hayley, Bethany, Sonya & Kelly vs 7 Hayden vs 8 Sarah Teacher: John Carley GLUED IN THE MOSAIC Karina Klesko Betty Kaplan Cindy Tebo THE CURVED SEAT Catherine Mair Patricia Prime LIGHT IN THE SHADOWS Jane Reichhold Giselle Maya THE OLD GRAVEL ROAD Catherine Mair Patricia Prime BARRYMORE COULDN'T SWIM Catherine Mair Patricia Prime CONTRAPUNTAL HUM David Rice Lynn Leach LONG WAY HOME Gary Warner Layne Russell Paul David Mena	ON A THOUSAND BRANCHES Linda Jeannette Ward Pamela A. Babusci Christmas day - centered on each sea star a remnant of last night's snow snowbound opening a window to the sea her heirloom tea set - a cranefly taps fitfully on the glass door guests depart finishing the last scone autumn moon at midnight eclipsed by the drifting swan's shadow a brocade of leaves each day higher & higher wearing her red beret she walks beneath half-naked maples she finds a stranger's love note in his overdue book infidelity... she strokes her hair over & over another petal falls from the bouquet he gave her writing a novella... her blank stare playing with emptiness two cats in a discarded sack summer moon... breaking her new inkstone on the tile floor crack of thunder the sudden hush of cicadas first light... pulling the blankets over her face her new thrift-shop shoes like the ones mother wore forsythia sprigs illuminating the moonless room lining her Easter basket with fresh-picked moss golden swamp warbler - a beak full of rootlets slows her flight pacing the floor her kimono slightly parted he opens the door to the room no one ever enters through the paper window distant windchimes in the Japanese garden fan-tailed goldfish suspended under thin ice reflected on the pond frozen shadows late for their tryst she crosses the bridge in a swirling mist their moist kisses dripping with dew lover's reunion - another woman's perfume in his hair wounds reopened... a forgiving wind harvest moon - she plucks another gray hair from her eyebrow a flight of swallows on the wings of autumn motley leaves on a thousand branches falling silently the glint of sunbeams in a cup of jasmine tea ikebana arrangement... she loads her sumi-e brush with fresh ink through violet bands of clouds a falling star bringing in hyacinths to scent last year's robe waxing moon snowmelt creek - a filly splashes through it This renga won a "commended award" in the Yellow Moon Contest 2003. Congratulations to the authors! DUST BITES MAN Marlene Mountain Suhni Bell dust bites man a jury finds for the dead woman though still dead fifteen minutes of fame arrive fashionably late you're nobody if you're not on the haiku 'watch list' of the fbi painted desert in a dry swirl of cerulean & burnt sienna a beach in spain or is it a beach in spain but what it is forever low tide another moon swing ancestral voices move closer to a slow dance at dawn winter solstice just around a stonehenge corner red light green light red light green light holiday traffic martian conspiracies kissinger heads the 9/11 kiss-off * artificial intelligence white house press conferences rehearsed dear god-he 'are you washed in the' earth snake goddess a few clay shards still coiled after all this time new battery a fresh start to hang here alone the next big race to find caucasian wives then 'sub-races'? zero-tolerance policy in the hands of empty heads a few more late night weaves a honeysuckle basket & the grapevine tangled up in old maybe-poems brag on a hundred-year-old crony and turn into a pillar of salt * dnc sharks as shark-bait bait gop sharks as shark-bait sean penn 'a hollywood-type' trashed as unamerican by tv-types trading post grandma's still glare across the bramble bush lives under the covers of darkness under the cover of darkness at the end of the tunnel a train whistle convenient flat back thru the aisles of winn-dixie a can of tire food a bed of nails instructions found on the internet how to suspend a female from a tree & quarter only the beginning an apple a day i think i don't like eve from the ark's alpha sperm or 'out of africa' smoking guns galore seven-point doe the art of taxidermy mastered a certain dullness sinks into the end of a very long brainstorm without much evidence the daylily patch her suicide note sent without stamps returned to sender unworldly now most of the world alienated they don't clone the black sheep do they? the last and the first of a male calendar note * they both resign - more proof that haiku can change the world november 20 2002-january 1 2003 STAPLED Suhni Bell Marlene Mountain stapled to another tree another child missing in the park on his way to san quentin to jerk off discounts on bruised bananas next to the rotting vegetables fresh snow on the getting-even-older hills talons of a bald eagle and prayer feather for the journey home countdown and showdown and here i sit 'women's art' in a world devoted to each exploitation of 'the other' issues around frayed edges plastic bags worse than paper or paper sacks worse than plastic wrapped in foil someone's next high next low finally the end of a long day that wasn't even long enough sinking into sunset new colors for a dream an old song & dance not yet frozen in time 'the haiku people blues' locked horns easy targets for the predator frantic wren trapped on the screened porch blame it on terrorism pacing in the dark into the even darker affirmative action trashed followed by a speech on mlk jr the nerve uncle sam IS a weapon of mass destruction heavier the weight of my own breasts after hers are removed mother/sister au set do you still drape our earth depends on who and what and which side of town no headlines an afternoon to run out of words no smoking gun world leaders conjure up evidence out of thin air 1 in 4 live near a superfund site 4 in 1 w/o funds unemployed counting pennies counting sheep counting sheep a famous baby due today forever due roadkill she did not mean to run over him then over him again a thawed path to the blacktop not ready to take leftovers reheated even the after-dinner conversation a guy's 'freedom fries' to diss the french late february iris tips in a second push toward the end of purple seeing thru apache tears after one more tumble temporary power failure in the valley the power failure at duke penis envy sometimes yes there i said it change of scenery changes back no chance of being hung out to dry the waiting list for rehab has a waiting list has a... january 4 - february 27 2003 THREE CROSSES Suhni Bell Carmen Sterba three crosses a silhouette leans into sunset then and now a mother mourns her child petroglyphs the language of the goddess mingles with graffiti temple walk clinging to the concrete miniature maples moonlight sweeps slowly into saffron shadows pale dawn a woman digs for crocuses hidden by snow RICH AND POOR LIVES Renjyu: Alex, Amy, Andrew, Chloe, John, Jordan, Josh, Lee, Paul, Matthew, Sarah, Sean H, Shannon, Shauni, Stephen & Thomas Teacher: John Carley a fancy crib and diamond bracelets ~ lots and lots of food ripped and tatty rags of clothes a second-hand baby's bottle Rockport, Reebok teenage drivers Sure deodorant no cosmetics and no college stuck with mum and dad nights out in the Chinese restaurant healthy bank accounts no medicine to help their illness massive worries for their children ornaments and a comfy chair ~ a tranquil country cottage a chipped and broken rocking chair a mattress from the dump Autumn Term 2002 - St Antony's R.C. Primary – Blackburn LAP MINGLE John M. Bennett Jim Leftwich lap swallow mingle sap chink spoon plight pound logo centric spins cougar past wallet cone horn hound sink crab bubble huddle slab noun s link corn phone ballet clast sugar lens limbic solo wound flight rune pink map single hollow nap map wound sap pound sugar corn cougar horn huddle hound bubble s link past logo clast solo chink lap pink nap swallow spoon hollow rune centric wallet iambic ballet sink slab noun crab phone lens cone spins flight single plight mingle Sfluit John M. Bennett Jim Leftwich suit hock apple green awful door lid sperm toggle miff lute ark spit pork luggage sag snag roughage tort snit dark loot lifts soggy berm squid ort austral clean dappled sock flute BREDA 750 YEARS Jacques Verhoeven Silva Ley Locations: Castle Gardens, St. Mary’s Church, City Museum Music in town beauty flows off shore the trodden tombs soundless footsteps passage of ages the fortress dismantled the founds possessed designs of disarming played on as the bodies of women, of organs tenderly covered passing the city in sashes of tulle an insatiable longing wrapped in calligraphy sky - connected towers as the murmur of woods the babble of brooks run away from squares miles of foliants: soul and body torn apart suffering glorified close the dusty books the shrug of deep notion surrogate mothers curious in eye and lap bargains of the market young purses jingle homewards with full bags the gardens breath between station and office the beer drums roll over the moon tonight a visit to your hidden self birds flown away trombones climb the trees a smell of fairies mingled worlds appear my dance with Hadewych secrets of the trees pavilions red and blue public preference the thoughts of monuments roots of plants will break the wish idealized a powerless prospect a game with documents evening chimes tumble over the roofs the moving shadows words in the clouds wide gestures on the stage the readers missing the mystic s silent ear loyal to the unlimited the bell ringer s fists salvo s at small windows a different memory restoration of canals modern water tricks winding boulevards a range of ancient thoughts embraced by moats quaysides for dealers birth-wrinkles back in the aged skin accelerated time the years burnt up a smiling moon celebrates renewing musea dream a start without count down the well known politics sinister documents measuring the pier steps new masonry gsm geometry: be in the red for years February sun the plans evaporate the days are drawing out hidden in the clock saved goat and cabbage a stuffy nose and ears a shimmering, a fever crocuses come out the open eye of the square the pinnacles glitter December 2002 DONUTS, FUEL AND HOT DOGS Soin: Luke, Sarah & Zoe Higashi: Aleasa, Beth & Hanna Basho: Daniel, Mathew B., Mathew H. & Sam Hokushi: Huzaifa, Mahmood, Mubeen & Zakir Teacher: John Carley high above the seagulls Blackpool Tower - a boy waves his hand Soin the whistling wind drowns out the children's laughter Higashi donuts, fuel and hot dogs sweating people in the queue Basho gritty sand mixing with the sticky candyfloss Hokushi in the deep blue sea a tug boat drifts through coral waves Soin railings rough as rocks bump beneath my hand Higashi flashing lights on the tram cleaning up the midnight sky Basho a roller coaster stops on the horizon Hokushi 28 January 2003 - Witton Park High School, Blackburn EAST LANCASHIRE Megan, Joe, Jared, John, Nathaniel & Andrea. Teacher: John Carley pillars of smoke rise from the rooftops dissolve into the sky sugar cubes on a quiet café table a skateboard ramp around the pyramids grinding through the night broken windows watch from India Mill on the hill top Darwen Tower lasers for the Jubilee spring and summer autumn, winter - rain Darwen Moorland High School in Queens Park Technology College 14 November 2002 - The Textile Hall, Blackburn ICE CREAM SUNDAE vs1 Hannah B & Laura vs2 Anthony, Jordan, Liam & Sam vs3 Ryan, Daniel V & Chris vs4 Nathan, Lee, Reece, Jake & Daniel Pr vs5 Samuel, Daniel & Lynn vs 6 Jaimee-Lee, Hayley, Bethany, Sonya & Kelly vs 7 Hayden vs 8 Sarah Teacher: John Carley ice cream sundae - flying ants crawling round the kitchen sink car keys and passports stolen at the check-in crusty leaves and howling winds squawking ducks head south the smoky smell of burning grass and fireworks roasted turkey and Christmas pudding wicked selection boxes chucking snowballs hugging a mug of hot chocolate cold rain drumming on a tiled roof three yellow chicks cheeping new born lambs and shiny tinsel wrappers 11th April 2003 - St Mary's CE Primary School, Cadishead GLUED IN THE MOSAIC Karina Klesko Betty Kaplan Cindy Tebo early morning snowfall pine boughs bend towards the sun motionless... a red fox on a blanket of white spilled coffee beats from the neighbor boy drumming Columbian beans roast in the hot-air popcorn popper a new coolness we put on sweaters to see the man in the moon tear-stained cheeks the scarecrow without eyes halloween night a stray cat alone in the rain ...crossing paths an exchange of addresses not just July 4th on every house the American flag overseas call he proposes marriage intermission at the aquarium dolphins play tag energy surrounds us sounds from the orchestra fireflies dance on and off with the moon summer solstice a new flavor at the soda shop "As The World Turns" the soap that never washes out oil spots on the bill from the car mechanic special delivery first knock at the door a basket of daffodils discovered in the grass eggs in a bird's nest march winds as I lift the lid of the urn ashes blow away 'Great Expectations" some pages missing under scrutiny... Master Chuzzlewit's pedigree at the poodle show travel security "please remove your shoes" Alberta Clipper an extra dash of rum in the cookies winter in Jamaica they carve coconut shell turtles always... on a kindergarten desk initials in a heart eroded by time the cliffs along lover's leap rows of get-well cards I pick the one that says, "Thanks for Teaching Me Courage" under twinkling stars, they cheer the parade of the boats harvest moon laughter from the dead-end of a corn maze withered tips a titmouse digs its burrow cozy hide-away a hang-glider trespasses over autumn mountains from a cocoon the butterfly of many colors unfinished project strands of loose hair glued in the mosaic War Emblem a jewel short of the triple crown festoons of blossoms adorn the huppah... he breaks the glass generation to generation transplanting grape vines Started: January 15, 2003 - Finished: January 30, 2003 THE CURVED SEAT Catherine Mair Patricia Prime autumn afternoon after the south's drought-stricken mountains the green of this homeland park down from a friend's haiku boulder new road the labrador sniffs among leaves white turban reflecting sunlight: does the old Hindu, traditionally clad, long for his homeland? emergency siren the valley's silence butterflies circle the curved seat LIGHT IN THE SHADOWS Jane Reichhold Giselle Maya slow winter river with light in the shadows glints of ice from the pond's heart a silent ripple the quivering our family is coming for the holidays winter olive trees pilgrims in the northwind check points wise men asking the way between stars desert traces searching for a king endless valleys lead celestial horses to a tiny village a man and a woman strangers in a marriage a new life springs secretly and grows from the longest night a long-awaited dream the trip to Iceland lava fires the earth's center dancing with the goddess mother moon and father sun as we children create them doves released from a metal cage clover and chickory going where they want to our prayers for peace rays of sunlight on green sea of winter wheat dark feelings dissolve in spattered wax the memory of a candle first snowflake a sense of caring for creatures in the wild no two seconds are alike the splendor of creation in galaxies all that space to hold cosmic intelligence where is that bright star dreamlines to follow peacemaker our former president speaks the truth can't we the people use new energy sources on the lettuce leaves sprinkled with walnut oil the earth devas restoring balance from the menorah faith dissolves the darkness with small points a wreath on the front door cedar boughs and rosehips the colors circling each person’s head will and desires prayers of peace can they prove stronger rising with the moon from a frosty hillside an unearthly shine glazed limestone tableland full of hidden springs guests come and gone their spirits linger in the tearoom to each anew this day a heart-basket of joy a few handmade gifts into the flare of oak logs unresolved feelings in accepted poverty a certain richness by the window blending into dawn shadows a white cyclamen with no desires, no sorrows melting into the river December 4, 2002 - January 1, 2003 THE OLD GRAVEL ROAD Catherine Mair Patricia Prime round the next bend the murmur of rapids splashing through cold water the labrador sniffles montbretia - a flash of colour from the hills, lifting rain clouds black dog & black cow take exception to one another cropping the grass - the rasp of the cows' tongues a disdainful, wet nostril overgrown, the path we used to take surveillance - swamp hen on the highest willow branch embedded in long grass derelict cars swooping at disturbed insects - welcome swallows in someone's garden a furled sun umbrella BARRYMORE COULDN'T SWIM Catherine Mair Patricia Prime choosing a gift we pass over the most exquisite - taking our attention a sachet's embroidered butterflies deciding on lunch two elderly women's pleasurable noises - the scent of lavender outside the window creamy-white roses blow in the breeze ladies sniff free cards presented with their food savoury smells - no need of a menu board the fox terrier's nose points directly at the kitchen delphinium or larkspur the decision too hard to make "Printed in England," they say, turning over postcards we eavesdrop the next table's quaint conversation - sliding to the floor my paper napkin tea plunger the scent of blackberries rises from the pot Mauoa appears out of the mist is it the venue attracts these old world folk? Somerset Maugham & celluloid black & white terrace pottery tubs contain trimmed trees a hawk circles the valley - "The sun has lost its day," they remark * Mauoa - Maori name for a nearby mountain CONTRAPUNTAL HUM David Rice Lynn Leach this wintry Sunday I rewind the chiming clock its antique heart springs to life in my hands and fills me with quiet joy new grandson I walk and pat him as he cries my mind races ahead trying to glimpse the future gloom of world news leaders sound their war trumpets again this year daffodils thrust through the earth with healing persistence anti-war march signs and chants claim the street tomorrow morning the newspaper will appear yellow-bagged in our yard through the din and roar the clamor of opinions my ears pick up a contrapuntal hum - insects hatching in a hedge military marches then a heavenly chorus that's the daily concert our government plays I prefer bluegrass or jazz LONG WAY HOME gary warner Layne Russell Paul David Mena a dusting of snow footprints disappear into the woods from white fir boughs a lone blue jay squawks passing the drunk grandfather drops a five and keeps walking the market plummets - I crave a bitter ale out the east window large yellow moon... shoes fall to the floor raindrops on the glass school bus steals her baby under the wiper blade two bright red leaves and a parking ticket after the movies at last a kiss waiting at the gate in her best dress last flight from Houston falling in love with another stewardess footsteps down the staircase - a shadow whispering in the alley her children asleep upstairs summer moon ignoring the mosquitoes splash! book left by the pool awakened by dripping candle wax at my desk following a pair of headlights along a distant highway by the front door purple primroses... someone's key the doe with two fawns lingers behind the rest a father's dream my son is old enough to mow the lawn waking at dawn got to write this one down crumpled printouts and crushed Mountain Dew cans beside my keyboard scraping my windshield with an expired credit card through the drifts to see the iced stream hit by sunlight leather driving gloves lying on the newspaper rack her stiletto heels keeping pace with my heartbeat packing for the weekend perfume and lace searching the tangled sheets in the darkness eyes illuminated by the Disney Channel river evening - the Empress tree crowned by the moon gourds and squash arranged as a centerpiece Thanksgiving dinner - the dog on high alert beneath the table sky of calling crows - what's the ruckus? power failure around the theater the glow of cell phones microwave popcorn - that fake butter smell almond blossoms cover the garden plot daffodils stand guard pausing on the bike trail everything so green



	Submission Procedures Who We Are Deadline for your collaborative poems for the next issue is September 1, 2003	Poems and comments Copyright © Designated Authors 2003. Page Copyright© Jane Reichhold 2003. Table of Contents I would like to know more about Renga.