(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
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