TAN RENGA
Carol Purington
Larry Kimmel
marriage counseling
I should have seen
it coming
those wild clouds even before
the hurricane watch
____________________
the inheritance -
this late in the game
what matters?
rose petals
in a paper cup
_____________________
frosted -
the tall tumbler
of ice tea
bare legs sweaty
against the vinyl kneeler
______________________
farmers' market
children
every-which-way
a fiddle and a caller
and the contradance begins
_______________________
getting the grit
out of my eye
her sweet breath
almost dizzy down
the hotdog skier's trail
_________________________
in the dust
under a scorching sun
a dilapidated dog
"patch the rust spots
and put in a new engine"
_________________________
Year by year
the same memory
different emotions
a black brush stroke
on white paper
_________________________
FRESH OUT OF THE NEST
Betty Kaplan
Heather Madrone
twittering ~
the rush of the river
over stones
in the heart shaped box
a ring for valentine's day
beach umbrella ~
the colored stripes in its shadow
are all black
behind his sunglasses ~
he waits for a blind date
ribbed saguaro ~
coyotes deaf to the call
of the summer moon
barbecue sauce on her chin
she orders dessert
U-Pick-It Farm
they buy strawberries
for the pie
in the old recipe book
a love note from another man
remembrances ~
pictures
clutter the mantel
the rattle of the truck ~
a drink of dust
sign on the mountain
California Poppy Trails
watch out for snakes
crossed ski tips
snow down her parka again
Harvest Moon Ball
their steps
intertwine
falling star ~
she trips on her high heels
caught in the spotlight
a moth
circles the stage.
after the debate
he concedes the race
second place ribbon ~
white snowflakes on
the blue crocheted afghan
grandma's menorah
eight candles flickering
scent of lilac ~
clean Passover linens
flap in the breeze
fresh out of the nest
a robin...oh to fly!
Begun: 25 May 2000 ~ Completed: 10 June 2000
15 BILLION INCHES
Marlene Mountain
Carlos Colon
15 billion inches to the moon when does a year really begin
damien with a meteorology degree 'el nińo'
bone scan step on a crack & break your back or take fosamax
e-mail i miss the sight of your handwriting
give a man quill & infinity he'd create shakespeare's stuff
at the straining point my quality of mercy
thirty-ninth chin-up distorted face of the field day competitor
flashlight in bed have air strikes begun
fallout shelter a brawl at the pinochle table
protest haiku 'outed' on the net
trapeze act spotlight shadows nearly touching
just not qualified to be myself anymore
in the same blue power suit her new assistant
dead-locked over the death penalty
execution evening the sound of the phone not ringing
mother nature slip: global warning
ready to test-drive a new haiku but where did my kigo?
'free speech not only lives it rocks'
boxers beat shit out of each other hug at the final bell
counting to ten before kissing you again
wildflowers behind 'the therapy center' stolen for home
in the rubber room gumby
library conference yard rooster gets the name crowbar
redheaded storyteller how wide the children's eyes
graf & davenport on espn fire dies down 10-degree night
white roses and baby's-breath on her ivory casket
nothing spent at salvation army from salvation army purse
mercury dime on the railroad tracks
'be prepared' for 'boy scouts of america' discrimination
jonesboro ambush i can't stop crying
discolored spot on the wall where the fire alarm was
spring-cleaning nothing in the house
funniest home videos a white dog used as a twirling dust mop
paula jones goes down in defeat
crossfire, geraldo, larry king live the court of the last retort
one good thing about poor memory another the perennials
Notes: 2c. the omen; 16m. by 2 or 3 newscasters including peter jennings;
18m. oprah winfrey, 2/26/98; 22c. flexible toy doll based on the 1950s tv
character; 29m. re court decision against gays and atheists
December 31,1997 - April 8, 1998 (Hampton, TN and
Shreveport, LA)
TREES
June Moreau
Giselle Maya
Tangled in the branches
of a black willow-
the wolf moon
clumps of red osier
against a drift of snow
along the cliff's edge
over gnarled roots
a worn mountain trail
frost-covered cypress
shaggy trunk rising
held aloft
in sun-tipped branches
of the winter linden -
a tattered kite
that was once a dragon
poplar leaves
heart shaped
float on water
eroded by seasons
into veined skeletons
the pieces of birch bark
on my writing table
have their own
mysterious script -
written without hands
across the moon's face
cloud dragon tilting
with glittering branches -
a rabbit stops and stares
into monstrous headlights
with fingers nimble
as the spring wind
in willow branches
the year's first basket
is finely woven
dreaming of a hut
under the whispering oak
Icarius cliffs where eagles nest
impenetrable mists
pierce and chill my heart
I am sitting here
with my back
against a young tree
feeling the wind
in its branches
spring fever
walk within the scent of plum
sap rising
a thousand bees and I
elated by the mystery of things
write all your sorrows
on rainbow streamers
and tie them onto
the slender branches
of the weeping willow
patches of violets
under the Kannon-armed quince
strong winds sting my eyes
a lizard rustles to hide
in a bone-white stone wall
hazelnut blossoms
along the trail
to the old pond -
the brown creeper's
tiny song
clipping mistletoe
from an aged pear tree
March hare leaps
not half as agile
as this vixen of a cat
no blossoms this year
on the old apple tree
just a white butterfly
flitting here and there
in its branches
Kimamori
left to protect the tree
one last persimmon -
a prayer for fruit
from next year's harvest
a bevy of white pines
holding hands
with the ardent wind -
they are dancing
they are dancing
taller each day
iris beneath the walnut tree
narcissus wait
in their silver sheaths
for April mildness
the longing
to stay here
spreads around me
like the warm shadow
of a great oak
found and treasured
an old wooden ladder
for June cherry picking
a kitten's tentative paw
touches the snail's antennae
I am always
walking along the path
that leads to the willow
angel of the wind
the honey-colored wind
oak leaf fragments
wildly swaying
moon in dark branches
year of the Rabbit's end
wind-tossed heart at peace
January 1999 to January 2000 - the Year of the Rabbit - New England and Province, France
DEEP DAYS
Jane Reichhold
Dennis Dutton
the depth of days
beginning the summer
with a friendship
two yellow butterflies
whirl over the street
above her knees
wind in the skirt's colors
and rising
dance studio
the janitor's plie
bending the branch
now bare of leaves
the fullest moon
on the porch to cool
two pumpkin pies
jack-o-lantern
the flickering light
of the candle
only shadows moving together
will they be compatible?
after she leaves
he stands for a while
where she stood
that mile in his moccasins
the blister rubbed open
the arrowhead
her father gave her
no child of her own
in her medicine bag
cures for everyone else
early morning frost
his shaky hands hold the moon
in a teacup
are they also shivering?
tree limbs in the fine-snow storm
on a journey
of one thousand miles
willow staff
crowned with streaming ribbons
the Maypole raised in the village
an empty church -
by saint barbara's icon
a red poppy
and the dream flings down
the springtime glow of dawn
sky-high river
alders in flood waters
outflowing the earth
for the one still out to sea
she builds a fire on the beach
a woman's place
within the stone
within daughters
from the baby's chubby palms
mashed apricots for the dog
a gentleness
warming the night's darkness
summer stars
under the milky way
a cricket for company
in the dairy barn
the farmer's youngest son
wishes wishes wishes
buildings fall to ruin
why should love be different?
the house
not made by hands alone
a heart
following my breath
traces of this and that
the moon shining
in your eyes
the most ancient light
on the scarecrow's head
dad's old go-to-town stetson
daybreak
the catch rope cold and stiff
in the wrangler's hands
goose bumps in the Bijou
spaghetti westerns still a thrill
lightning fast
the little boy
draws down on his mom
small puffs of white clouds
spring comes to the lone mountain
the trail at dawn
filled with the scent
of wild blue lilacs
meeting a young old friend
the sun rises even earlier
Started - July 6, 1999 Finished: July 24, 1999
A FLOW OF FLOWERS
June Moreau
Jane Reichhold
on the old pond
water lily swirls
in the snow
lion-like clouds
with jowls lighted by the sun
just for the patchouli
scent crumbles the foliage flame
smoke among visions
the invisible box of spirits made
square-edged by the moon
tiger lilies
closing their petals
in the darkness
if only I could know
their dreams . . .
a woman's own
priest-craft of magic
fragrant and equal
morning glories awaken
days when I was a virgin
at midnight
the sun decided
to come back
I thought it were
a huge marigold
center of the core
sweetening the bite of almond
calyx in memory
the husk of infinity stands
to assist the radiance
moon of flowers
how delightful
to have
the plum tree's shadow
as my coverlet
evening gentle
eternal things come to us
in our hands
signs of exchange are fated
on a scrap of wall flower
the table adorned
with forsythia,
sunbeams falling
where they will –
the taste of tea
filled up swiftly
as a disturber of the peace
the pregnant woman
walked the line to prison
malachite spilled from trees
seven ducklings
catching up
with their mother
raindrops wobble
on the lily pads
once wheat
was the small round girl
as a wound
the doom-laden years
could not kill my mouth
even more delicate
than tiny sunbeams
the flowers
dancing in the blue
near Fairy Spring
joyous April
the zone was cheated
by brake lights
in the loosestrife a flag
of truce is top story
after being ill
for a long time,
how unreal they seem –
the red blossoms
of geranium
night nest
ringed by the musky odor
of moon-sage
rosemary and her friends
lifting their love songs
so many
white blossoms
the clouds could make
if only
they knew how . . .
days deep with patience
of sunflower buds opening
starfire and scripture
long journeys of burnt umber
the scents of sacrifice with love
January 14, 1999 - March 18, 1999
BALCONY LIGHT
Steve Mason
Ed Owen
all day
the balcony light
flickers in the mist
outside the door
the smell of red paint
an inspiration –
the theory that links
colour to sound
her face cracks a smile
she sinks deeper in the chair
this strange cigarette
brings on a feeling
of contentment
the journey home
seems quiet tonight
glaciers melt
water from the mountains
rushes to the sea
tangled in a net
the shark slowly drowns
a year in prison -
his immigration papers
not in order
forced into exile
because of his beliefs
knocking on doors
missionaries
told to f off
troubled sleep
murmurs from the bedroom
the vice squad
sent into the district
by the dream police
uniformed guards
sweat in the midday heat
scientists study
local insects to predict
the next eruption
lava sculptures win
the modern art prize
the angle grinder
turns all the sharp bits
to dust
cosmic debris
gathers to form stars
shafts of sunlight
fall on the rabbit burrow –
a big doe blinks
his good eye pressed
against the telescope
in ten seconds
the evening primrose bud
becomes a flower
child with a mower
plays havoc in the garden
school closed–
no money to pay
the heating bills
sparks from the campfire
land on his straw hat
around the city dump
canvas shelters
flap in the breeze
the tugboat's horn
just louder than the gulls' cries
"gone to sea"
a message from the captain
"may be home late"
neon slogans
half the letters don't light up
bad weather
brings the party rally
to a close
after heavy rain
snails crawl all over the path
Brighton beach –
the crunch of pebbles
underfoot
remains of candy floss
stuck firmly to my beard
late at night
the cat returns
with red whiskers
the surgeon makes a first cut
then asks for his glasses
in the greenhouse
plants think
it's already spring
we get up early
to catch the first train home
Summer,2000
SIX TAN RENGA
Jean Jorgensen
Janice M. Bostok
almost too heavy
the birdseed bag dad carries
to fill bird feeder
the cat's belly
scrapes the snow
_________________________
ancient radio
amongst kitchen sounds
a swing band
woman at the kitchen sink
dances as she sings
________________________
unpredictable
last night's snowfall
covers lilacs in bud
white crocheted edging
centers the tablecloth
_______________________
unnoticed
on shady pathway
a dove pecks
high in the sky
long tail of the dragon kite
______________________
too hot to sleep
she watches the jet's blinking lights
recede into moonglow
soon tunnel vision
may be all that she has
______________________
morning light
flock birds hang
above the river
through the mist
sounds of girls splashing
COMPETING WITH THE PRIEST
Carlos Colon
Alexis K. Rotella
Competing with the priest
a choir
of birdsong.
House wren -
or is it a finch?
Eenie, meenie,
minie, mo -
police lineup.
On a road never traveled
a golden looking for a home.
Broken window
the key he didn't see
under the doormat.
A rabbit through the slat
of our garden gate.
Rusty hinges
my old high school
locker.
Detention -
I read the dictionary.
Wind-riffled field guide
now only the butterfly's
photo remains.
Home from vacation -
tiger lilies light our path.
Japanese lanterns
the ticking of
soft rain.
Slowly I sink into
bath bubbles.
Old neighborhood -
familiar faces
now wrinkled.
On top of my head
an ironing board.
The guy next door
threatens to flatten
my husband.
The strength of a fist
opening.
Early dawn—
a blast
of Beethoven.
Kennedy Airport
the roar of Beatlemania.
Showers again -
triplets at the window
wearing stripes.
in ter mit tent
wip ers
Wonton soup
to go -
far away.
Eggdrop dripping
from chopsticks.
Our walk begins
with the smell
of phlox.
Clorox down
the front of my shirt.
In his baby moons
I check
my seams. *
Guessing her age by
the shape of her taillights.
He spends more time
with his Impala
than he does with me.
For sale: The Mona Lisa
of all trading cards. **
To my poor mom
we run
with fool's gold.
Diamond ring trembles
between his fingers.
Fanatically
fuchsia—
the waitress's nails.
Raspberry sound from
the baby's stomach.
I thought it was
a dummy—
old woman hung from a tree.
Junior Klanner's name
on the edge of his sheet.
Nothing said
but her anger
fills the room.
Farmer pointing the way
with a shotgun.
*hub caps
**a 1909 Honus Wagner (baseball card)—CNN
May 24 - August 31, 2000
REROUTINGS
(Where the addition or deletion of a single letter reroutes
semantics.)
Richard Kostelanetz
SEPARABILITY
(Shows how language may hide hidden meanings)
Werner Reichhold
LONG ALONG a swans down TO TON TONE TONEY sweet band ON ONE GONE sculp tur al INK LINK CLINC sei smog raphy
IN WIN WIND sales man ship ILL PILL SPIL scup u lously UDDER RUDDER tac tician WIPE SWIPE tam eable USE MUSE tank ard TUMBLE STUMBLE
top i cality ALE HALE WHALE un a man able PILE PILES un shape roned TRAM TRAMP va moose RUSH CRUSH velour samt RABBI RABIT
var i gated HEAP CHEAP va sect omy RUNG WRUNG wo man liness EITHER NEITHER wors hipper BASS BRASS Quing qua gesima AIR LAIR FLAIR
phil andering MOTION EMOTION phant asmal HE HEN THEN pork u pine AT LAM CLAM o nami sm ON CON CONE met all urgical REAM DREAM
Sat is fact orily ARM HARM CHARM nice ness ITS HITS SHITS noct urnal GIN GRIN Ma da gas can AN ANT ANTI ANTIC ma mary
AIL NAIL SNAIL kno wingly HE HERE THERE lab our intens ive OUT FOUGHT leak age ILL HILL CHILL secret e veness ID RID RIDE DRIVE sea son able
ONE ZONE OZONE sept ember AM RAM CRAM SCRAM SCREAM Lice nsed APE CAPE CRAPE sex agen arian MAR MARS MARSH k nock together
PAIN PAINT journ a list AT PAT PATE sch o lastic TOT TOTE TOTEM hy men AS ASS CLASS grab by IT BIT BITE ferti lity EL EEL HEEL WHEEL.
THE FLEMISH COURT
Jacques Verhoeven
Silva Ley
(Written in the inner courts of "Het Markiezenhof" - a complex of
castles built for the marquis of Bergen op Zoom, around 1500. Now, it is the
Townpalace Museum of Arts and Library.)
A fortress for books
centuries for letters
the Flemish court
relics of battle turmoil
a rigid rearing horse
nobility honored
bronze for old gentlemen
a house full of pride
accused of madness
the marchioness in prison
power for broken roses
her eyes full of storm
slates under the sockle
the granaries filled
doves coo in the beeches
hours of dalliance
no kitchen ranges smoke
nor carrions rattle
gardens enclosed
statue of the architect
the chisel in his hand
children on the lawns
games in the castle
fight with a yellow ball
fashions in the halls
bodices and crinolines
the spirit caved in
a dance of puppets
a reign of purslain
the secret cabinet
the musky perfumes
pregnant from the groom
rummaging around
signals of custodians
the bride is coming
all colors mingled
the mare in the show booth
verandahs let out
everyone 'his majesty'
marquis in 2000
the dinner ordered
gothicly in the saddle
telephone on the ear
windows separate old and new
tourists step in and out
our passion to save
an indigestible rampart
ruminated to delight
SUMMER RENGA
Lorraine Schechter
Marcia Starck
Sudasi Clement
Cool garden bird song
morning sun heating walls
mountains sleepy
spikes of pink and red
hollyhocks in bloom
cat under covers
how can she stand the heat
ice cubes melting
next door a lawnmower buzzes
neighbor shouts hello
laziness passing
to cook? to shop? to play?
the telephone rings
O'Keeffe lay under her car
at noon the desert blazing
mini volcanoes
rise between porch bricks
industrious ants
thunderheads to the west
ev'ryday at four o'clock
lovers singing praises
to mid-afternoon madness
he tastes my tea and cakes
tongue licking edges
sweet chocolate icing
ah sweet cool!
clouds bursting open
rain falling hard
running through arroyo
laughing bare bottomed
slipping, sliding, mud
bodies covered
like snakes entwined
wine poured, cheese and bread
fresh baked scones spread with butter
salmon, salad, fruit
light breeze playing chimes
mesa sunset red
Oye como va
Santana rocks the club
hips and breasts shaking
dogs in heat howling
midnight a lone candle burns.
| 
