PARTICIPATION RENGA
Remember to respond only to the links printed in bold
italic.
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
watching my years reflected in the sea’s mirror WR
on-leave soldiers ambushed by a wave of WACs CC
her bathing suit
in line with the news 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
smushed sandcastle curl-lipped snarl of the 98-pound bully CC
covert photos nude beach GD
shortening shadows the spike of a volleyball CC
no viagra left - he falls short GD
we both search
for hairy kelp roots
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
Irishman explaining the steering wheel in his crotch: "It drives me
nuts!" JR
spitting out a shell and a tooth WR
cloud gap clean sting of nothing eating JMB
New Years at the beach her doctor’s face icy WR
archaeologist
closer and closer to bear
the first child
FPA
~&~
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
no more press conferences let them read the funnies GD
on which beach can we land and start another war? WR
dusk or twilight
the tip of the Dragon’s Tail
"mind you," says the sea slug
FPA
one if by land
two if by sea
weapons of mass derision CC
sand-fort
raised on a dune
all fall down 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
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
watching my years reflected in the sea’s mirror WR
new year’s eve dusty notebooks in a box hold fading years fast GD
playing Blackout
the Beach Blanket Bingo Bunch CC
expired credit card
a comb
JMB
~&~
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
blacklisted Joe McCarthy CC
sea-spume blurs the address on her card GD
channel surfer lands
on "Surfside Six" CC
~&~
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
kitchen counter: behind the blender the mouse’s tail GD
electric cord twitches JMB
kelp strand
wound around
her ankles GD
~&~
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
kitchen counter: behind the blender the mouse’s tail GD
Christmas morning the crumbs of a cookie CC
Santa’s left
more low-carb treats:
dang Dr.
Atkins
GD
~&~
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
Primavera the nymphs swirl their gauze nachos GD
air a screen nipple lifts in shadow JMB
the wind lifts
an empty grocery sack
drops it in the weeds GD
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
dream time
when I see words
unmasked
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
hear the wasps
walking
on your hat JMB
~&~
after the blackout
eating all the ice cream quickly
before the power returns Gene Doty
no light plenty quiet JMB
she changed from dressed to naked WR
when her bra
drops away
scar tissue GD
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
~*~
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
of no concern
preacher’s tirade
verger’s golf day FPA
lectionary’s
faded pages, cross
references 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
permeating . . . a stick of sandalwood CC
patchouli reek his receding ponytail GD
will be a full moon
news-vendor’s
wolf whistle
FPA
rainbowed
the new bag
of rubber bands 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
~*~
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
when tears dry
skin so tight
the small smile CF
bouncing off
the rim
clipped toenail 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
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
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.
L a 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
P roper feelings
Often
Edges
Thrust into a
Reactive
You JR
R ight now she’s had
Enough of hot weather
No doubt in winter
Going to somewhere warm
All that she will desire JAJ
T o
Answer
Notes
Responding
Emotion
Names
Greater
Appetites JR
L ove is
Ever waiting
At another
Place you don’t expect WR
Even
Newcomers
Join in
On
Yoodles of fun JR
Ready to
Eschew the chains of linking?
No need to.
Gary Gay offers
An artful variation
You’ll love it. CC
Haiku
And
Image
Graphically
Ambushed WR
~*~
L a 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
S oon
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
P ope
Introduces
Veterans
Of the Swiss Guard
To sharp shooters WR
M ilitary intelligence
Oxymoron
Obfuscates
Normal life JR
For eating
Ribs of
A
Grim
Mad cow
Excellent
New
Tablets available to "get normal" WR
Hiding
Your
Aptitude for
Kraziness
Undermines
Innate
Naughtiness JR
~*~
L a 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
P roper feelings
Often
Edges
Thrust into a
Reactive
You JR
R ight now she’s had
Enough of hot weather
No doubt in winter
Going to somewhere warm
All that she will desire JAJ
T o
Answer
Notes
Responding
Emotion
Names
Greater
Appetites JR
L ove is
Ever waiting
At another
Place you don’t expect WR
Even
Newcomers
Join in
On
Yoodles of fun JR
Only
Nincompoops
Endeavor to
Leave
Intelligence out
No
Energy
Results in
Silly poems WR
The spamku
Includes one of
These with its
Little
Epigram CC
Participating
Around
Renga
Tends to
iNtensify
Energy
Responses
Significantly 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
eyelids flicker cat sleepwalks to divan 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
~&~
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
monk lifted by two holy sisters ??
sponge soaked in dried stage blood GD
a shirt stiff beneath the bed 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 a my own shame JR
that I couldn’t count to six JMB
a handful of ideas to touch JR
flies through broken screen: floor honey GD
sole so slick wave your hands JMB
words for the deaf - eye shine 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
deafening the music of your eyes CC
we’ll swim until death parts us WR
surfboarder ashore the bikinis surround
him CC
center of the storm – paradise island JR
VANILLA RENGA
A plain ol’ renga with 2 / 3 lines for 12 links
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
~&~
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
recyling
junk mail
a new poem 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
rattle of cordage
in half-lights half-hidden
the unfurled sails FPA
~&~
smoothing the sea
sunset’s metallic gold
hammered flat Jane Reichhold
Firestone shredding
its tread CC
luggage crushed
beneath the
wind
JMB
grating cheese
on the chopped vegetables
April lunchtime
GD
~&~
smoothing the sea
sunset’s metallic gold
hammered flat Jane Reichhold
we’ll see – for sure
this way it can’t go on WR
swiping
my credit card – "thank you"
says the machine
GD
immovable
the desk the office
was built around CC
WITHIN/WITHOUT
Alternate 3-line and 2-line links for 12 links
Theme: interconnectedness
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
the joke on me echoing into eternity CC
not a word to mail no paper cut on my lips once hers WR
the drawer empty
full of air
JMB
~&~
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
frozen in love the night Dad turned on the light JR
shadows in all our pockets still JMB
still warm
the coin clicks into
the cash drawer
GD
geese in flight
glimpse of a pilgrim’s way
a woven straw hat
FPA
the click
of marbles
beneath the burnished sky 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
at the gulf course hole 18 flooded WR
Sunday the rain clears for a sun day JR
the choir’s strange voices make distant harmonies GD
sweaty from her hands the him book slips JR
rock face in pouring rain
from scowl to frown to smile
swabbed brows
FPA
filled with drawings
traced from a night
by a comet’s tail
WR
~*~
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
sky diver and hang-glider collide at four thousand feet GD
it is fall
wet soil embracing
unexpected guests WR
~&~
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
frozen in love the night Dad turned on the light JR
cold shower our noses share a bubble CC
the heat
she wished for
after sniffing powder WR
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