The Renku Sessions: Side Show – Week 13
Hello, Everyone:
I’m back home — just landed about two hours ago (3 PM PDT) just in time to view your many offerings. It’s interesting to see the many directions the renku could take.
First, let me mention some of the thoughts I had in narrowing the choices. There were a couple of verses both this time and last time that used the words “life” or “house” (or it’s synonym “home”). Both of those words have been used already in the renku and they are big enough words that I would not want to repeat them again. Also there were a number of verses that were linking to the previous verse using references to ESP or other paranormal allusions. Since the verse before Keith’s refers to “unidentifiable/ vibrations,” we want to avoid these topics in this verse. And finally, there were quite a few verses that refer to structures in a house, such as room, ceiling, attic, etc. I really want to avoid these references for another four verses.
With these considerations in mind, I chose this long list of verses as possibilities:
ere she sleeps
the spinning wheel
Eavonka Ettinger
*
my best friend preceded
by his aftershave
Dan MacDonald
*
a utility scam
in the neighborhood
Debbie Feller
*
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
pressed nosegays inside
well worn bibles held close
alarmed by another
faux pas before dinner is served
Betty Shropshire
*
the kids count fives
after the flash
flytrap
about to close
Rob Barkan
*
unannounced, the leader steps
down at the town hall meeting
without notice, marchers
parade through the convention
warned in advance, the massive
crowd lets loose an ovation
she alters facts first
to unleash her own fake news
to collar social unrest,
the judge changes venue
to unleash fake news, she hands
the editor new copy
when the alarm system
alerts her, she grabs her gun
grandma folds laundry
while she nips at her gin
alerted to intruders,
homeowners trap the bums
goosebumps rise on her arms
as she watches tv news
she listens for the cabinet
lock to click shut
she hears magical music
from her opera box
John Daleiden
*
his reputation
precedes him
the aqua-marine ring
dropped down the drain
forever getting ahead
of the story
loose manuscript pages
find their own order
an air-knock
on the missing wood
the worn wood
he pretends to knock
pondering motives
when the dress is called fetching
advisors struggle
to keep the candidate leashed
Laurie Greer
*
the rise of kamala!
the rise of harris!
after the fire
an unbearable toll
after the paint dries
the picture hanging
Pamela Garry
*
new hearing aids tuned only
to pick up birdsong
the silence of a museum
or a forest
Jonathan Alderfer
*
she hears car doors slam
and muffled voices on the drive
the clink of her best china
switching on the kettle
Melissa Dennison
*
yes, and just whose hair
clogs the drain?
Alison Woolpert
*
his work with the deaf not the telephone
fulfilled him
madeleine kavanagh
*
a handsome tip & high five
for the taxidermist
just now
an ef in tasseomancy
still in boxers grandpaw
barrels down on slippers
above the bathtub
clothespins drip down
tired of the tall tales
they repeat at the rallies
on the calendar
counting back to last period
Wendy C. Bialek
*
the cuchi-cuchi girl
even flirts with pets
under the bunk beds
a doll sleeps face down
Clysta Seney
*
a ventriloquist’s dummy
winks in the corner
Sandip Chauhan
*
on the threshold
of a great discovery
silver keys on the sugar
that tops off the cake
the kettle
about to boil over
Keith Evetts
*
last night’s visitor
left behind a crop circle
Dan Campbell
*
latchkey kids
rearrange the furniture
latchkey kids
burn pizza in the oven
a bowl under the leaky faucet
catches the ticks
Diana Ming Jeong
*
oh no—not
the grim reaper!
Marion Clarke
*
lifting a skin
from hot milk
rrrrrrranother wool sweater locked
in the hot cycle
Sandra St-Laurent
*
knock knock jokes
to while away the hours
Michael Henry Lee
*
the man
tidying his tie while whistling
he said honestly
what else are you doubting
Nani Mariani
*
nips in a dream
at the mailman
Richard Straw
*
the needle pierces
the potato too
Nancy Brady
*
she looks at the children
& whispers the code word
Curt Linderman
“Cut!” calls Alfred
from the director’s chair
Lorin Ford
And of these I chose seven to evaluate further:
unidentifiable
vibrations
Pamela Garry
the dog’s ears
prick up
before the doorbell
Keith Evetts
ere she sleeps
the spinning wheel
Eavonka Ettinger
*
unidentifiable
vibrations
Pamela Garry
the dog’s ears
prick up
before the doorbell
Keith Evetts
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
unidentifiable
vibrations
Pamela Garry
the dog’s ears
prick up
before the doorbell
Keith Evetts
pressed nosegays inside
well worn bibles held close
Betty Shropshire
*
unidentifiable
vibrations
Pamela Garry
the dog’s ears
prick up
before the doorbell
Keith Evetts
a ventriloquist’s dummy
winks in the corner
Sandip Chauhan
*
unidentifiable
vibrations
Pamela Garry
the dog’s ears
prick up
before the doorbell
Keith Evetts
latchkey kids
burn pizza in the oven
Diana Ming Jeong
*
unidentifiable
vibrations
Pamela Garry
the dog’s ears
prick up
before the doorbell
Keith Evetts
oh no—not
the grim reaper!
Marion Clarke
*
unidentifiable
vibrations
Pamela Garry
the dog’s ears
prick up
before the doorbell
Keith Evetts
knock knock jokes
to while away the hours
Michael Henry Lee
Although all of these verses would have made for a most interesting renku, I found Barbara’s verse seemed to have the most emotional impact. And so, we have as our twelfth verse:
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
And so, our renku this far is:
Side Show
the moon joins
a juggler’s side show
harvest festival
Wendy C. Bialek
a swirl of moths
orbits the yellow lamplight
Jonathan Alderfer
drifting leaves
pile up at the lock gates
on the old canal
Andrew Shimield
an inuksuk points the way
to the next adventure
Carol Jones
Earthrise
to the tune of Strauss’s ‘Thus
spake Zarathustra’
Lorin Ford
may I have this dance
for the rest of my life?
John Daleiden
I swing onto
his Vespa
fully committed
Clysta Seney
letting off a stowaway
in the middle of the heat
Laurie Greer
the cool
of the house
at the back of her mind
madeleine kavanagh
unidentifiable
vibrations
Pamela Garry
the dog’s ears
prick up
before the doorbell
Keith Evetts
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
And now here are your instructions for verse thirteen:
- a three-line no-season love verse, the three lines should flow syntactically;
- link to verse twelve in some fashion;
- the door is open for all topics except death: war, politics, or any wild or bizarre subjects (in this section of the renku the party gets going full steam — arguments, clowning, tears, all happen here);
- for the rest of the renku, please avoid any subjects related to festivals or circuses, carnival acts, etc. as well as death, house/home, and life; avoid references to hearing or listening for the next six verses; please avoid mentioning four-legged animals or sound-making devices for the next five verses; avoid ID’s and vibrating objects for the next four verses; also avoid mention of structures such as houses, barns, cabins, etc. as well as brains for the next three verses; also avoid mention of hiding, hitchhiking, passengers, or parts or fractions for the next two verses; avoid mention of vehicles and use of proper nouns for the next verse.
- submit your verses by midnight PDT Tuesday, August 13.
I thank you all for your submissions and for your lively participation. I wish you good writing in the coming week — and good healing and tranquility for John.
— Patricia
The Haiku Foundation reminds you that participation in our offerings assumes respectful and appropriate behavior from all parties. Please see our Code of Conduct policy: https://thehaikufoundation.org/about-thf/policies/#code-of-conduct
Comments (202)
Comments are closed.
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
you laugh
with
my friends
— Nani Mariani
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
so
let’s dance
with enthusiasm
Nani Mariani
death
is listening
you laugh
with
my friends
— Nani Mariani
turning in early on our fiftieth
it’s not the years honey
it’s the mileage
we can party all night my love
but i never drink…
wine
count us out
as we’re not into
such vaingloriousness
a near brush
disaster
on the 70s dating game
now
filing taxes
jointly
Diana Ming Jeong
wasted money
on chocolates
and flowers
Diana Ming Jeong
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
annie oakley
suffered from reports
of her own demise
annie oakley
suffered from reports
of her own death
all the while
she was able to
successfully shoot backwards
annie shot
a cigarette
out of Prince WIlhelm’s hand
so skilled
a sharpshooter
she foiled a number of train robberies
out shooting
her partner
who eventually became her happy husband
Madeleine….
here is the ‘senryu’ form of your last verse:
out shooting
her
partner
I like it Wendy! Thank you.
last turn
in scrabble tiles
M A R R Y M E
I love this Wendy!
Madeleine,
glad to hear you are back…..and with what a gusto storm of gallops!
Lol! Thanks, Wendy. :) Glad to be back!
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
their fire
threatens
their existence
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
the fire
threatening
their existence
his heart bullet-riddled
but it was beauty
killed the beast
we whisper
into each other’s ears
aroused
a whisper
in my ear
turns me on
licking my ear
he sends
me
Diana Ming Jeong
spent by
the hours
as a good wife
Lastly…
death
is listening
sausages sizzle
on the
barbecue
😊
death
is listening
turning down
the volume
on the radio play
on the turntable
the record
is revolving
to the funky
beat on her
personal stereo
down
a silent street
tap dancing he goes
summer breeze
but an absence of
wasps and bees
laughter from the
gameshow host
she reaches the remote
sleeping it off
from the
night before
hair of the dog
last nights eyeliner
on the pillow
from above
the earth is
so peaceful
whistling
a little tune
he spirits you away
stepping off
the ferry
the islands seem remote
killing time
we play cards
with the ferryman
all these
rosebuds &
just one vase
the everything bagel
doesn’t come
with cream cheese
when everything
isn’t fair
in love & war
If a sprinkle of humor is wished for….
the bagel store girl
asks if there’s anything else
she can tempt me with
falling for
the new HR director
could be fatal
I see
she keeps her eyes closed
when we kiss
in fancy dress
if you’re a unicorn
I’m a virgin
Maybe I should point out that in fancy dress a unicorn is a two legged animal?…
adorable, Harrison!
if you can love her
you’re a better man than i
if ya come up with the answer
you’re a better man sir
than i
if you can love her
you’re a better man
than i
death
is listening
——-Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
.
we walk in darkness
as if the world is open ground,
level and well lit
two hearts
beat together
in three four time
…
in the rubble
after the bombing
they lie together
each night
they trade desserts
from their tv dinners
Diana Ming Jeong
speak
now
or
Diana Ming Jeong
for better
or worse
without all the hoopla
hearts
together
forever
Diana Ming Jeong
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
their final vow
is a pact
for someday
*
the two of them
dumbstruck
by the prognosis
*
their smiles
renewable
in the joint passport
*
the smiles
in their joint passport
good for another few years
*
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
lonely for that
come hither
look
*
the little vial
that guarantees
they won’t be parted
*
he blames
his flatulence
on the wedding cake
memories exhumed
which are better left
forgotten
existence
blink and you miss it
shooting star
at the end
we wait for a
punchline
with prune juice
and that little blue pill
for nothing is certain
or
for nothing is certain
except with prune juice
and that little blue pill
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
your embrace
more delightful
than foods of the world
your kiss
still a rocket journey
after sixty years
smitten
with each other
every minute
captured
in bronze
their endless kiss
death
is listening
our hands move
unexpectedly
on the ouija board
somewhere
in the trees
tawny owls cry
with a wry smile
eating leftover
pumpkin pie
scything wildflowers
creating space for
next year’s blooms
closing the door
we whisper
secrets in their ears
the metallic clank
of next door’s
windchimes
chilly night
a spider sneaks
under the door
mating season
a spider hides
behind the bathroom door
out into the light
of a human world
risking it all
hungry eyes meet
over crossed sticks
on the hockey pitch
an old mixed tape
unearths memories
of first love
she watches
her sexy gardener
wield his scythe
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
holding hands
as our homemade
raft sinks
holding hands
while watching
the sunset
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
Saint Mary Mead 235
how can I help you
I’m Jane Marple
this is a delight Attard Francis! i’ll be smiling all week!
love it!!!
Attard Francis
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
watching
our castle slowly
wash away
her
wildflower
DNA
she calls
me burrito
instead of jackass
gone to work
scent of cologne
on the other pillow
gone to work
aftershave lingers
on a cheek
off the trail
sudden moans
of passion
off the trail
quickly bared skin
and a lingering cry
leftover letters
pop the
?
death
is listening
– Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
her steadfast heart
counters each tug
of the outgoing tide
*
his long knee slide
as he swears how
deep their love is
*
or:
her steadfast heart
counts each tug
on his outgoing tide
*
a long knee slide
as he tells her parents
how deep their love is
*
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
a happy prisoner
I succumb
to her kisses
death
is listening
——-Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
.
an undertow
grabs hold as I enter your
darkened room
.
shipwrecked
by a fox faced girl
and her kisses
.
as we embrace
I can only surrender
to her dybbuk
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
perched at the top
with my only love
the ferris wheel stops
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
tandem skydiving
my one and only and I
from the ground up
meet you in
the two seater
outhouse
meet you on
a two seater
cloud
this is so heavenly! rob
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
a traffic light
clicks yellow
then red
with a thud
a transformer
goes dead
a metronome
out of synch
with the clock
Perhaps the third verse could be construed as a sort of love poem between two mechanisms.
The other two verses are not love poems per se, except as measurements of a failed sort of self-love.
if i leave first
i will watch and wait
for your rising glow
beautiful, rob
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
the voices
out of the cradle
endlessly rocking…
death
is listening
– Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
her jet
lagged rooster
crows at night
work boots
on her feet
nails in her mouth
death
is listening
– Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
Helen Keller
and her soulmate
defying gravity
death
is listening
–Barbara Anne Gaiardoni
a parent’s love is
unceasing…and yet,
the teen years
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
citizens shout
liberty, equality,
fraternity
amour
is the elixir
of survival
death
is listening – Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
harmony
and melody
a symphony of two
lust rusts
then turns
into dust
Congratulations Barbara!
death
is listening
——-Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
.
something
on the tip of my tongue
about your touch
.
words
fail
me
.
a flutter of silk
as your kimono of cranes
falls to the floor
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
the love child
in her arms
finds contentment
Congratulations, Barbara, for your thought-provoking verse.
death
Is listening
–Barbara Ann Gaiardoni
under the stars
they hold hands
during the meteor shower
.
during the Perseids
the couple celebrates
with kisses
.
a couple spends
eternity
among the stars
.
mom and dad share
cuddles and kisses
with the kiddoes
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
she hears
the ultrasound
at OB-GYN
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
on a park bench
young parents hold hands
beside their kids
in a photo
for another anniversary
parents still kiss
an old couple
spends eternity together
among gravestones
a murder
suicide pact
instead of vows
twilight serenade
under her
open window
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
through the forest
the wail of a newborn
child echoes
love bound
in the hereafter
of 1001 nights
or
bound to love
in the aftermath
of 1001 nights
Wow! Betty, this one is superb, i.m.o. Outstanding! Great link to Barbara’s verse and there have been no references to literature in the previous verses of this renku, as far as I can see.
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
–
bound to love
in the aftermath
of 1001 nights
Lorin, thank you!! Am quite touched by your high praise.
😊 Betty
There are no references (or , I should say, there are no clear references that I can see) to literature in any of the 12 verses Patricia has chosen for this renku, ‘Side Show’, to date.
Is that clear enough for everyone’s understanding?
—
To me,
death
is listening (- Barbara Anna Gaiardoni)
will always conjure up those words as spoken by the amazing Tina Turner in her role in the apocalyptic SF film ‘Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome’.
“”Remember where you are; this is Thunderdome, and death is listening</i . . . "
—
Her song 'We Don't Need Another Hero'. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcm-tOGiva0
—
Death was certainly on the cards in the framing of all the collected stories in 'The Story of 1001 nights'. The emperor had 'wives for a night', women who would be killed the next morning, until one clever woman found the way around the problem: she told him cliffhangers, so was spared night after night because he wanted to hear what came next.
Death was 'listening' for all of those 'wives-for-a-night' . For the heroine, Scheherazade, too, but she cleverly found the way to delay being killed, night after night, for a thousand and one nights. (By which time the king either trusted her or had died, I suppose.)
"One Thousand and One Nights (Arabic: أَلْفُ لَيْلَةٍ وَلَيْلَةٌ ʾAlf Laylah wa-Laylah)[1] is a collection of Middle Eastern folktales compiled in the Arabic language during the Islamic Golden Age. "
This collection of many stories has been translated into many languages, including English, and these stories have become a well-known part of world literature.
his how many
ways counted
by twos
Wendy, LOL each time I read it!
thanks, Pamela. perhaps you also caught the reference to Browning’s most famous, love poem, Sonnet #43.
“HOW DO I LOVE THEE?”
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning 1806-1861
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of being and ideal grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for right.
I love thee purely, as they turn from praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints. I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life; and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Great to read this now! Thanks Wendy! And Betty, so fun the things you share!
Paul Simon’s “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” came to my mind as well! 🙂 Betty
LOL! Betty
so be careful
not to profess your love
in writing
while we hold
each other’s hands
in hospice
monoxide poisoning
claims a couple on
lover’s lane
the grieving widow
still waits
for a sign
the
poison pen letter
sealed with a kiss
letter
mistyped :
her
poison pen letter
sealed with a kiss
just before dawn
the trickster
transforms her soul
sweeps boy unloved
by everyone
but the sweep
since the love verse is between a man
and a woman, sweeps boy doesn’t
qualify as an entry but i wanted to
share it just the same…
correction, with apologies:
replace “between a man and a woman”
with “between two adults”
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
out of chaos
love is the answer
time after time
when she says now
i drop everything
including my pants
death
is listening — Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
.
through the dark night
young lovers whisper
sweet nothings
death
is listening — Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
.
love and compassion
their day is coming
all else are castles built in the air
.
(Lyrics from ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome); lyrics © Wb Music Corp. Sung by Tina Turner:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcm-tOGiva0
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mad_Max_Beyond_Thunderdome
“Remember where you are. This is Thunderdome. Death is listening, and will take the first man that screams.”
Great stuff from the ‘8os. :-)
I agree, great stuff. Think I might still have the Mad Max videos lurking about, somewhere.
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
she finishes my
sentences before I have
time to end them
death
is listening – Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
we are
more comedy
than tragedy
we hover
glide and sometimes
even soar
i truly dread
marching to
an empty bed
death
is listening – Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
her middle
finger is a deep
dark brown
making love
in a
volcano crater
from soft heart
to hard nose
in an instant
Congratulations Barbara!
death
is listening – Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
see how
our shadows
hold each other up
honeymoon memories
of moonlit dances
in the surf
on this sultry night
I tell her be careful
what you wish for
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
their clasped hands
as they ponder
the prognosis
*
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
strangers picked at random
to witness
the nuptials
*
another rendezvous
at the sign
of the horns
*
they make the hamsa
their private
love token
*
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
the sparkle
of the solitaire
says it all
*
death
is listening
*
the crown of sonnets
they read
to each other
*
the feelings
they hint at
with a crown of sonnets
*
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
the taste of honey
lingers on my lips
from your kiss
through your voice
I hear
my favorite song
our silence
weaves a language
only we speak
when you smile
the world tilts
and everything aligns
in your eyes
I find the words
I’ve been searching for
in your breath
I trace the rhythm
of my heartbeat
our playful fight
your smile
wins the day
sandalwood scent
clings to my soul
long after we part
hand in hand
the bridge is ours
and the view
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
each year she saves
her new rose in the boquet
from her wedding
on a hillside field
of yellow poppies
they say, we do
though the body dies
our eternal troth outlives
your grasp
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*****
in a whisper
showing their initials
on his skin
as for the wedding cake
he passes on her list
of allergens
still wet
the new toothbrush
they shared
a string of pearls
from another
less inhibited
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
the kind of passion
that feels
like tempting fate
*
Congratulations Barbara Anna!
so close to the edge
they go ahead and fall
in love
Thank you so much, Debbie!
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
his look an arrow
into the depths
of her heart
*
or the more risque version
*
his tongue an arrow
in the cupid’s bow
of her mouth
his breath stolen
by words whispered
from red lips
Well done, Barbara Anna.
death
is listening
nothing can stop
those doomed lovers meeting
on the windswept moor
Heartfelt thanks, Marion!
it’s the waiting
that takes
its greatest toll
waiting on
a long list for
hip replacement donors
what if six
turns out
to be nine
the major
difference between women
and men
the consummate
rags to riches story
on a matchbook cover
hi michael,
hope that your hip comes in soon…and gets you up and about
without all that pain.
i didn’t know there could be live donations
available at all. thank you for sharing this.
until your post, i only heard about the mechanical replacements.
this sounds like a better way to go.
btw: how have you fared, Debby?
again, loving your verses/and humour as usual.
with a little jimi in the mix!
oops i totally missed the part about love
their unfinished
story returns
on a bookshelf
grandma rereads
his worn braille love letters
from the war
hair dye
broadens his marriage
choices
*
his clip & paste
lines from
wikipedia.org
Spooky, Barbara!
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
who wouldn’t fall
for the shy young widow
with almond eyes
time after time
falling for the wrong
typist
she wants me to kneel
for the marriage proposal
in the swimming pool
(true)
how twilight
becomes the one
who stole my heart
our eyes meet
over the retort stand
in chemistry practical
he undresses quickly
and finds
her asleep
searching 4th street
for diamonds and rust
searching 4th street
for diamonds
and rust
Congratulations!!
death
is listening
— Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
passion fruit
served with a look
not seen in a while
death
is listening —Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
–
beware these are senryu verses:
want ads: needs
a marriage certificate
to retrieve frozen eggs
–
shopper exchanges
this one
for another
–
treated with kindness
alas
at the no-fault divorce
at the edge of my bed
you finally held
my heart
death
is listening —— Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
redo:
vows renewed
in shorter
heels
death
is listening —Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
the wedding gown
passed down from
parent’s wedding
thank you cards
still blank
as marriage breaks
vows renewed
in shorter
heels
in
ooopsy!
on the last
verse:
somehow
an extra ‘in’
got in
the dog’s ears
pricking up
before the doorbell — Keith Evetts
—
death
is listening — Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
—
“though lovers be lost
love shall not” and poems
are love’s dominion
—
( thanks to Dylan Thomas)
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
they jump the broom
every year on the same date
where ever they live
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
three cygnets swim
in the wake of
a pair of swans
they jump the broom
every year on the same date
where ever they live
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
jealous
of myself
with you
to the company
of kindness
stealing my heart
taking in
all there is
between us
the screech
every time touching stops
until we touch again
Pamela, this one is so unusual!
i picture someone, (who has somewhat moved on) reflecting on videos of themself in a relationship with a mate who is currently no longer in this world.
jealous
of myself
with you
Pamela Gary
Pamela, So sorry for misspelling your last name
jealous
of myself
with you
Pamela Garry
death
is listening — Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
—
to all who can hear
we swear to love each other
forever and ever
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
—
the something
borrowed came
from stone rubbings
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
—
that something
borrowed came
from stone rubbings
https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-traditions-the-meaning-of-something-old#history-of-something-old-something
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
—
the young couple
exchange sweet nothings
between kisses
—
What a great addition to our renku! This is so unusual, i love it!
Congrats Barbara Anna! Thanks for giving us another challenge to chew on! Barbara and Patricia.
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
first time
against the moss-covered
stone
goosebumps
on the first impression
no beginnings and no ends
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Glad to know you are back! Patricia!
Wondering if you have any updates on John?
Read and enjoyed, John’s beautiful mountain poem in Haiku Dialogue.
Got goosebumps just seeing his name!
Grateful to Jim and crew, that the renku gets posted seamlessly.
Thanks to you also for the appreciation hyper welcome, Wendy :-D
Best,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
Sorry–I do not have any new information about John. Fingers crossed we’ll hear good news soon.
you will not take her
before
our seventieth
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
the eeriest verse i have ever read. how did you
think of it, barbara? it’s definitely a freakout,
and superb in its dreadful simplicity.
patricia so now you lead us to a very strange yet
fascinating turn. frightening combined with love.
you continue to be a unique sabaki.
thank you jim again for the speedy upload.
john are you reading this i hope?
Dear Rob,
thank you so much for your attention.
Keith’s dog reminded me of our dog Rudy who passed away . . .
Patricia Thank you again for your sensitivity.
Best,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
first space station
marriage a world event
telecast live on tv
death
is listening –Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
—
in the desert
a strong woman’s voice
urges us on
—
death
is listening — Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
.
Congratulations, Barbara. :-) This takes me back! To the ’80’s.
To Tina Turner ( as Aunt Entity’) singing ‘Beyond the Thunderdome’ (with her marvelous voice) in the film of the same name which was shot somewhere between Coober Pedy and Alice Springs. Desert country. I’m pretty sure it was Aunt Entity who said the line “Death is listening”.
Yes, I’ve googled now and here it is: https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mad_Max_Beyond_Thunderdome
“Remember where you are. This is Thunderdome. Death is listening, and will take the first man that screams.”
I don’t know that movie, Lorin!
Thanks for the information and your consideration :-)
Best,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
at the wedding
he screams to do you take her –
I DO!
This may be disqualified as a very indirect reference to death via the movie quote, but shucks, someone had to do it.
Congratulations Barbara Anna. Patricia has opened loads of opportunity with her choice.
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
her hair part styled
to zig and then zag
for the next lover
Thank you so much, Clysta and many thanks to Patricia who was able to read between the lines!
Best,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
death
is listening Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
they renew vows
inside the chapel
after fifty years
in the arboretum
they exchange
wedding rings
married eighty-nine
years, yet something new
every day
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
his long craving
for the strong
silent type
*
what the two get up to
when the white noise machine
goes on
*
Patricia, should the verse 13 offering be indoors or outdoors? Both types are being offered. The instruction do not specify indoors or outdoors: “a three-line no-season love verse”
Inside or outside–either one will work, I think, at this point.
Congratulations, Barbara, your verse added such a layer to pricked up ears!
Thank you so much, Patricia, for short listing my verse.
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
kissing
away the last bite
of poison apple
he got me
red roses when
I like peach
Dear Eavonka,
thank you for your attention and consideration.
Best,
Barbara Anna
Congratulations, Barbara! A stunning verse in its message and simplicity! A stellar choice, Patricia and many opportunities for adventurous linking :-)
Heartfelt thanks, Madeleine!
Best,
Barbara Anna
Best wishes for your continued recovery, John. Another great selection, Patricia. And congratulations on your eerie link, Barbara Anna!
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
do-not-disturb signs
sway as the ship strikes
an iceberg
the breaths
of sleeper pairs pause
in unison
young lover pairs
on the space mission
don’t feel air leaks
the young couple
speeds through the last part
of their wedding vows
in a bombed ditch
the young husband’s hand
covers his wife’s mouth
A better version (perhaps) for my last suggested verse:
in a bombed ditch
the young husband’s hand
covers his wife’s eyes
Thank you very much, Richard!
Wonderful choice, Patricia! This one has the air of a cliff hanger about it. Can’t wait to see what comes next! Congratulations, Barbara. Quite chilling. And love the brevity.
**
death
is listening
*
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
*
to be on the safe side
they make it a short
engagement
*
not saying a word
as they plight
their troth
*
sweet nothings
whispered so silently
into their pillow
*
Thank you so much, Laurie.
Wishing you all the best,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
ove
lasts
forever
two lovers
engulfed
with passion
Dear Patricia,
thank you for including my verse. I’m honored.
Thanks to everyone for your feedback.
Best,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
and maybe
you’ll stop overeating
too
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
out after curfew
the gossips & young lovers
collect their tongues
I even type adenoidal!
LOL!!! Curt!
Thank you Jim Kacian for continuing to post the renku results so the poets can make offerings in the Side Show Renku.
Patricia Machmiller, your choices for the ongoing Renku provide poets fine opportunities to discover new creative resources in their verse offerings. Thank you for including my verses in your long list of possibilities even though I already have been rewarded with verse six.
John Stevenson, may your continued recovery move in a positive direction; wishing you good healing.
death
is listening
—Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
hand-to-hand
they press on
each other
Enjoying how this is developing. It has a gothic feel, a little bit spooky or unsettling.
Nicely done, Barbara Ann, a fitting verse, and a smashing choice, Patricia.
Thank you so much, Carol!
Thank you very much, Carol!
Best,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
death
is listening
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
This is a very poignant verse. When I first read it, I had just hung up with the vet who gave me news I didn’t want to hear. When I read it, I responded with “No!” The rest of the day was somber because I knew your verse was true.
This is a definitely an emotional choice. Congratulations Barbara. I hope that in writing it, you didn’t have to suffer in order to experience it. And if so, I pray for peace and love for you… and for everyone here.
Dear Diana,
I’m sorry about that news and I understand . . . we had a dog!
Death is one of the experience all human beings have in common.
Thank you for your comment, in the hope that everything returns to normal soon.
Peace & Love,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
Thank you Barbara Ann. I’m sorry for your loss. Your pup is waiting for you in Heaven. It’s so heartbreaking. My cat has some more time. I am doing my best for her so she has the best quality of life until then.
Dear Diana,
thank you so much for your words.
Let me introduce you to Rudy, our dog when he was riding high and in excellent form! Rudy was a good dog and a born glutton :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi1GaZEZzaA&list=PLk7U1AYnE1SuNxfIottTSs7fUQm-fdQ86&index=9
I’m very sorry about what happened to your cat, in the hope that everything returns to normal soon, be brave!
Thank you again, Diana.
Peace & Love,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
Hi Barbara! What a sweet little baby Rudy was! Thank you for sharing with me! My cat is comfortable for now and hopefully she lives longer than expected. Thank you for your sweet thoughts and encouragement!
Diana, my heart goes out to you. It is such a difficult time. I know how much a part of your life she was.
I wrote this one for you and her.
Heaven
my purring one
waits
I think of my pets above who have added so much joy to my life.
Thank you Madeleine! Death is listening… for now. My precious Athena has more time… but yes, she has been a big part of my life for over 10 years, and I am not ready to let her go yet. Her quality of life is my priority right now. Hence my offered verses last week. Thank you for your haiku. It is so beautiful. I have pets above too that I still love and miss. They are most likely playing with yours… waiting for us.
Awww, Diana. I am delighted that Athena has more time here on earth to be with you. That would be so sweet… I hope so :)
(the small lap dogs
who comprise our family
are nearing the same place)
an over-stuffed, cherita poem for all the animal lovers:
listening to all these pet stories
i rub their bellies even more
and add another lullaby
to the play list
while i watch their sleepy eyes
slowly close.
moved by all of your animal/comradery postings
Thank you Wendy! Your verses are lovely. Yes, give more scritches and belly rubs to your fur babies. Thank you for your sweet verses.
So endearing, Diana and Wendy!
10
unidentifiable
vibrations
11
the dog’s ears
pricking up
before the doorbell
12
death
is listening
13
gathering herself
for an unexpected pounce
in a crowded street
parry, repique
so fast there’s no defence
to the sudden lunge
chuckling over
the touch of hubris
in the candidate’s speech
Such a joy to reread so many creative verses! Patricia, I love your choice of Barbara Anna’s verse. Such a powerful and stimulating contrast with Keith’s preceding verse. Congratulations Barbara. BTW, I thought you, Patricia, and Keith both agreed on changing pricking to prick.
And to John, I love your poem selected in Haiku Dialogue on mountains:
two of us
recalling the views
from various peaks
— John Stevenson
Hi Pamela,
thank you so much!
Best,
Barbara Anna Gaiardoni
Congratulations, Barbara. :-)
“BTW, I thought you, Patricia, and Keith both agreed on changing pricking to prick.” – Pamela
Pamela, you didn’t think it, you read it. That ‘pricking’ remains in the renku this week is just an oversight that I’m sure Patricia will correct it to ‘prick’ when she’s able to.