The Renku Sessions: Tan-Renga Week 2
We encountered some technical challenges this week, which you overcame in style. It was touching how you took care of each other.
As I’ve come to expect, you produced an almost overwhelming array of creative linking options for the three verses offered. I’m going to list a selection of some of those that I especially enjoyed. They are not the only good offers but my favorites among other good options. I will list the first of the three line poems and then a series of caps for it, then the second three liner and so on.
scent of lilacs
I take
more than I need
Shawn Blair
the cosmetics clerk
arches an eyebrow
Richard Straw
mother’s days
stolen from me
Wendy C. Bialek
only a quarter
for the tip-jar
Biswajit Mishra
lifelong belongings
washed away
Diana Ming Jeong
at the smorgasbord
exercising my free-will
Pamela Garry
an explosion
of bath bombs
Tracy Davidson
red-tailed hawk eyes
the sparrows
Debbie Feller
rainbow
in the distance
John Daleiden
shadows stretch
before they disappear
Dan Campbell
mom’s little extra
hidden in a fold
tissues
to wipe tears
M. R. Defibaugh
dizzy flight
of the bumblebee
Keith Evetts
My choice, from among all of these wonderful offers:
scent of lilacs
I take
more than I need
Shawn Blair
the cosmetics clerk
arches an eyebrow
Richard Straw
sharp pencil
her soft
voice
John Stevenson
walking home
I carry her books
Richard Straw
“there’s no point
to go on”
Wendy C. Bialek
please, change
my answer to yes
John Daleiden
in the classroom
daydreaming again
Melissa Dennison
points out
the rapist
Wendy C. Bialek
2b or not
to be
Carol Jones
getting the shadings
just right
Laurie Greer
the wash of waves
on a warm beach
John Daleiden
conceals her forked tongue
Lorin Ford
blurring the lines between teacher and student
Lorin Ford
a summer breeze
takes my hand
John Hawkhead
bursts
my bubble
andrew shimield
brains &
brawn, too!
Wendy C. Bialek
shoeboxes of letters
by the attic window
Dan Campbell
teaching our sons
baseball scoring
Nancy Brady
missing
a note
Pamela Garry
the curve
of ocean moon
Joanna Ashwell
Another extremely difficult choice. I was strongly attracted to Nancy Brady’s baseball scoring. But, in the end, I loved the tone of this one.
sharp pencil
her soft
voice
John Stevenson
getting the shadings
just right
Laurie Greer
a lacy bra
beneath my filthy shirt
mud season
Susan Yavaniski
paw prints leading
up the garden path
John Hawknead
just north
of gently used
Laurie Greer
the French baker’s cupcakes
perfectly moist
Lorin Ford
cotton wadding
lines the robin’s nest
Diana Ming Jeong
then again even the moon
isn’t spotless
Orense Nicod
after clearing brush
we shower together
Nancy Brady
apple pies crimped
around the edges
Carol Jones
it’s not the first time
jack and jill went up the hill
John Daleiden
gazing up
at the blossom sky
princess k
raining
inside me
Pamela Garry
I expected this third verse to get some spicy capping offers. I was not disappointed.
a lacy bra
beneath my filthy shirt
mud season
Susan Yavaniski
it’s not the first time
jack and jill went up the hill
John Daleiden
You also supplied abundant choices for the next round of opening verses. Here are the three that you are invited to cap with two lines this time:
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
I will probably not be able to post again until I return from Seabeck. I’m guessing that we can reconvene here on November 7. At that point, I will report on the capping verses and, hopefully, announce our next renku session.
Happy capping!
John
Note: The archives have been updated to include the full text of the last two renku completed.
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Comments (180)
Comments are closed.
Congratulations Keith Evetts
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
i didn’t realize
my credit card was declined
—
nowadays
men also spend money excessively
—
buying cheap stuff
until the house becomes trash
—-
my husband forbade
so I just stayed home
—-
business tricks
stock shopping
Congratulations C.X. Turner
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
i hope I have time
even if it’s only 10 minutes
—
meditation
is needed by the soul
—
like a big screen
in a cinema
—-
is there anything more important
than correcting myself?
—-
now I know
where my failures are
—-
giving time
to greet myself
—-
Congratulations Wendy…
❤️❤️
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
somehow
I’m more excited
—-
childhood memories come flooding back
—-
the sweet red grains
stick to my lips
—-
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
he muses
mama has a tree growing inside
~ ~ ~
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
my heart
breaking all speeding laws
~ ~ ~
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
next week
his allowance
* his allowance
in one week
his allowance
next week
my heart
breaking all speed laws
Welcome back John, delighted you are leading another tan-renga session…these are very lovely selections. Congratulations to Wendy, Keth and C.X.. for their beautiful capping verses…it’s been nice to see familiar names. Hope you have a lovely trip to Seabeck.
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
the baby’s hard kick
in my wife’s belly
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
the locksmith
turns burglar
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
a snowman sodden
towards sundown
winter sale
everything
must go
— Keith Evetts
in the window
naked manikin
Congratulations to the capper poets!
winter sale
everything
must go
–Keith Evetts
down
to the studs
going over a bump
I swallow
a cherry pit
–Wendy C. Bialek
nine months later
the infant’s first breath
.
choking
on my words
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
–C.X. Turner
new horizons
to explore
providing new opportunities
for the world
space
the final frontier
To Wendy ‘s verse
nine months later
our baby’s first breath
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
they say almonds
taste like cyanide
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
the deer departs
in a flurry of snow
winter sale
everything
must go
after the storm
no sign of our shed
Welcome back, John! So glad to see you up, out and about, and traveling again!! Sending you much joy and laughter and safe travels on your journey!
Michelle Beyers
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
lilacs at June
So sorry I didn’t have time to read everything before I posted, scent of lilacs.” I didn’t know you wanted to cap with two lines. I just read C.X. Turner’s lines and loved them so. Back to the drawing board! Cheers, everyone!
Michelle Beyers
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
a hammock survives
the hurricane
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
the sheer drop
below the temple
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
what is the word
for it
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
a newborn’s
full head of hair
—
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
oysters on the bed
of a moonlit bay
—
winter sale
everything
must go
the wings
of an ostrich
I like ‘the wings of an ostrich’, Shawn!
Thank you, Keith!
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
– Wendy C.Bialek
corybantic reaction
of a hypochondriac
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
– C.X. Turner
violating privacy
of my dream
winter sale
everything
must go
– Keith Evetts
shutting shop
before the raid
going over the bump
i swallow
the cherry pit – Wendy Bialik
lukewarm and hard
to stomach
*******
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything – C.X. Turner
diary left
unlocked
*****
winter sale
everything
must go – Keith Evetts
little one led away
still wanting
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
c’est la vie
says my husband
* * * *
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
revealing your
philosophic truth
* * * *
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
our clearance racks
become your treasures
winter sale
everything
must go……..ke
deleting the dead
friends from Facebook
down on all price tags
after a pillow fight
winter sale
everything
must go…….ke
buying out all
the laxatives
winter sale
everything
must go……..ke
string to pull out
his two front teeth
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
nine months
overdue
*
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
wound after wound
of untold truth
*
winter sale
everything
must go
bikinis
half-off
I love the bikinis half off!!!
Me too
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
“it’s not apocalyptic,”
says the doctor.
* * * *
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything –C.X. Turner
hallelujah
shout the followers
* * * *
winter sale
everything
must go –Keith Evetts
on the Magnificant Mile
hunting for a bargain
* * * *
all sales final
no refunds
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
snowstorms, black ice, bitter cold
now 90% off
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
hoping I look better
in moonlight
LOL!
winter sale
everything
must go
buying clothes
that I will never wear
a temporary fix
from life’s lows
shoppers buried under bags
on the bus home
not thinking
about the planet
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
eye to the telescope
memories flood in
now I know
what life means
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
wondering how long
to the other side
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
imagining an adventure
through inner space
cursing the council
for ignoring pot holes
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
i am dazzled
lost in your words
cold coffee
time passes quickly
winter sale
everything
must go
elbows jab
in awkward places
a homeless man on the pavement
around his cup snowflakes swirl
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
I arrive naked
and leave in a suit
hahaha!
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit (- Wendy C. Bialek)
the path to enlightenment
wends and wains
.
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything (- C.X. Turner)
one breath away
from sky mind
.
winter sale
everything
must go – ( -Keith Evetts )
this way to the last
two-way mirror
–
winter sale
everything
must go – ( – Keith Evetts)
best day of the year
for us pickpockets
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
he says that’s the reason
he loves me
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
a flicker in the light
from the candelabra
dawn sun
in your wild auburn hair
the pause before
I close your eyes
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
the chef orders two
additional sides of beef
* * * *
the church ladies recruit
a new quilt maker
* * * *
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
that Houdini hid
in the green room
* * * *
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
piggy went to market
and brought nothing home
* * * *
buyer reward points
to be paid in the next life
* * * *
on Rodeo Drive
the sales aren’t cheap
Oops, correction as I accidentally left off some poets.
Congratulations to Richard Straw, Laurie Greer, and John Daleiden!
Congratulations John Daleiden! Yes, that was spicey! :) Thank you John Stevenson for including me in amongst your favorites! I am happy you are back and I wish you peace and joy at Seabeck!
Congratulations to all the Opening verse poets! You gave me a lot to think about. Here goes! :)
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
going bananas
on the banana seat
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
return to sender
address unknown
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
buyers remorse
another donation to Goodwill
Diana Ming Jeong
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
all is well that ends well
spring dawn
* * * *
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
negotiations resume
to end the war
* * * *
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
see saw margery daw
let’s go on vacation
* * * *
cleaning house
is a delicious chore
* * * *
when the price is right
they’ll find the shekels
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
*
a stirring as the curtain
rises
*
the eye of the spotlight
holds steady
*
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
should have packed his stuff
when he had the chance
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
a handsome thief
leaves empty tills
going over a bump
I swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
a cough and a splutter
from his clapped-out engine
Ooohhh, I like this one, Tracy!
*
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
*
if you can’t take it with you
we’ll deliver
*
frequent buyer rewards
honored in the next life
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
an ocean
of wild surmise
taken unawares
by the geyser
last chocolate Brazil
in purple cellophane
*********
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
my daughter asks me
to leave her my ring
the boss commands
all staff to smile
the little things hidden
to preserve a marriage
***********
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
freedom at last
from the mirror
passage to heaven
unburdened by camels
the cold smile
a dead give-away
the true worth
of possessions
the Mexican sombrero
I will never wear
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
— Wendy C. Bialek
on my way to the poles
for heaven and earth’s sake
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
— C.X. Turner
the flood of my tears
facing the aftermath
winter sale
everything
must go
— Keith Evetts
mannequins wear
a model’s fake smile
cash registers
chime farewell hymns
melting icicles drip
like IV fluid
daylight disappears over
“going out of business” signs
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
all my roads
have led to you
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
the watermelon seeds
now won’t feel so lonely
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
the old moon seems
not to move all night
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
the box of free Bibles
empties last of all
richard—-‘the watermelon seeds’ ….so compassionate!
Thanks much!
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
nail it down
if you don’t want it sold
* * * *
dancing the tango
on the way to Harrods
* * * *
all the king’s people
trample through the room
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
*
the last leaves stripped
from the oak
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
*
…I gave my love a story
that has no end…
*
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
*
shopping like there’s no
tomorrow
*
Welcome back John and sage travels
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
headed to Guam with
just what’s on our backs
” going where the
weather suits my clothes ”
casting lots for the
gently used dog sled
of course, i meant safe travels.
Sage travels resonated with me!
Likewise!
yes, sage travels…ring true
make me three!
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
those far away places
with strange sounding names
* * * *
with the speed of light
the super-hero acts
* * * *
if only you possessed
Aladdin’s lamp
* * * *
whistle of a train
rolling toward sky castles
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
moon over Alabama
the next little whiskey bar
* * * *
pass the stone
and flush it away
* * * *
hickory dickory dock
be sure to s*** today
* * * *
follow the money
and take the A-train
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
discomfort
does not end the world
* * * *
on Saturday the doctor
plays eighteen holes of golf
* * * *
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
treasure of great value
buried deep in the mind
* * * *
in their monastery
monks practice tolerance
* * *
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
buying shelving
for pennies on the dollar
* * *
our warehouse
stuffed to the rafters
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
under my arm
my fears realized
abandoned quarry filled
with memories and water
under the barn’s peak
two nests of mud
__________________________________
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
the ice at night
suddenly cracks
which jupiter moon
to sketch first
dangerously out of place
manhole cover
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
— C.X. Turner
for a cold-hearted
value sketch
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
— Wendy C. Bialek
refusing to
follow directions
keeping the lie
under wraps
succumbing
to his juicy tales
1
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
the el-wheel rider
clips a pedestrian
2
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
a brave young lass
shows no embarrassment
3
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
Do i go for he sun hat
or the open sandals
4
a possible 3-line prompt
leaves fly up
an ancient sports speeds by
bits falling off
5
A 2-line prompt for a 3-line
completion
Black trees line the hill
above a frozen lake
Please don’t offer new verses for capping. This will be the last post for tan-renga offers in this session and any spin-off linking is likely to make my work more difficult.
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
*
I gave my love a cherry
that had no stone
*
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
*
her last words
I’ll take it
*
winter sale
everything
must go – Keith Evetts
another landfill site
full to the brim
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
a new object trapped
in Earth’s gravity
* * * *
hanging in the balance,
opposition or peace?
* * * *
to an interpretation
of idiocy
* * * *
the teeter totter
between war or peace
* * * *
a genie swirls out
of captivity and bowsin the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
a new object trapped
in Earth’s gravity
* * * *
hanging in the balance,
opposition or peace?
* * * *
to an interpretation
of idiocy
* * * *
the teeter-totter
between war or peace
* * * *
a genie swirls out
of captivity and bows
over a bump
I swallow
the cherry pit — wcB
they’re banking on
gullibility
————
over a bump
I swallow
the cherry pit — wcB
ancient limbs
covered in moss
susan, both, enjoyable!
the ‘banking’ one is so reassuring….thank you
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything—- cxt
the diamond
disappoints
———-
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything—- cxt
the understudy
nails it
winter sale
everything
must go
—ke
oh these pearls
that were his eyes
love this one, susan….perfect place for a quote.
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
– Wendy C. Bialek
one drop of rain
doesn’t spoil the summer
Sundays the accountant
goes whitewater rafting
tag on her toe
id n/k
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything – C.X. Turner
Madame Sosostris
still popular
–
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit – Wendy C. Bialek
a cherry sapling
rises from her grave
–
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything – C.X. Turner
–
all the way
to the final curtain
–
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything – C.X. Turner
–
except the damned
sardine can
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit —Wendy C. Bialek
the camel turns
and laughs
—
and laughed
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit —Wendy C. Bialek
–
one stone
starts an avalanche
–
all rooms taken
at the oasis
–
—
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
—Wendy C. Bialek
these wars too
will pass
reading into the silence
disapproval
to think Bashō ate fugu
when he didn’t have to
a shark fin
in the soup
——-
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
—C.X. Turner
this moment at least
safe in my heart
Jehovah’s Witnesses
ring the doorbell
cat’s eyes focused
on the tuna tin
winter sale
everything
must go———- Keith Evetts
bedbugs cozy in the comforter
free
*
owner of the tower impressed
with crowd size
‘owner… crowd size’ — that last verse capping ‘…must go’ a winner!
think i know who got your votes, Pamela, thanks, LOL!!!
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
little brother spends too much money
like the world is going to war tomorrow
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
long queue
until someone faints
—
the women
can’t hear the word sale
—
mother buys a lot
to give to the orphanage
—-
my husband pouts
forced to accompany
—-
once a year
why not ..
winter sale
everything
must go———- Keith Evetts
bans on books,
bodies and bed partners
or:
winter sale
everything
must go———- Keith Evetts
bye-bye bans on books,
bodies and bed partners
winter sale
everything
must go———- Keith Evetts
tiny hole in the last
bag of birdseed
almost expired
morning glory seeds
several calendars
a little dog-eared
moving boxes make
homes for the homeless
shopping cart buyout
for the homeless
a woolen cap
finishes this verse
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
Occam’s razor
cuts to the truth
* * * *
portals to another world
unlatch
* * * *
the hurricane eye
pause, a façade
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything –——- C.X. Turner
a can of dog food
from the cupboard
the leash to walk you
when you need to go
the arms to hold you
when thunder is near
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
“sorry, we’ve sold out,”
says the naked sales clerk
* * *
door sign:
“CLOSED—SOLD OUT”
* * *
tomorrow: doors open
at 6:00 am
winter sale
everything
must go ——-– Keith Evetts
neon O=P=E=N sign
blinks on my kitchen wall
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit…………..Wendy C. Bialek
spitting image
of her mom
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
fire in the belly
indigestion pain
* * * *
fragrant blossoms
in the fun park
* * * *
she swears a solemn pledge
to tell the whole truth
* * * *
this Inn has one room left,
a manger
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
— Wendy C. Bialek
and blossom
instantaneously
winter sale
everything
must go – Keith Evetts
a couple of pigs
root-up the garden
Carol,
Clever and charming!
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
dashboard Buddha
nods in time
blink of an eye
eons pass
the universe hiccups
rearranging stars
nice set, sandip
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything – C.X. Turner
headlights illuminate
the cat’s eyes
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
— C.X. Turner
in the realm
of impossibility
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit – Wendy C. Bialek
another journey
into the unknown
winter sale
everything
must go
— Keith Evetts
with the flow
to iceberg alley
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
in my lemon car
i sing a little song
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
furrows adorn
my basenji’s brow
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
no leaf
left behind
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
my heart
still wandering away
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
my moon jar
full of desire
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
even my soul
a trade wind
joanna, love the ‘trade wind’ one!
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
a hollow victory
with hostages held captive
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
a supernova
in a teardrop
a meteor shower
in your iris
time dilates
in a sigh
fingernail moons
catch the light
tea leaves settle
in an empty cup
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
his heimlic manumver
expells the seed
* * * *
swing low, sweet chariot
coming for to carry you home
* * * *
administering extreme unction
the priest pauses and smiles
* * * *
troubles and tribulations
be done—praise God
* * * *
singing scat
she passes time
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
price gun tattoos
extinct species
last customer
inherits the store
last receipt
prints a haiku
naked mannequins escape
through the back door
dust bunnies
evolve into lions
shopping carts
race into sunset
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
*
not buying it–
caveat emptor
*
no takers
for the caveat emptor
*
going for nothing
the caveat emptor
*
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
what doesn’t kill me
chips my tooth
two heartbeats
on the ultrasound
Journey to the Center
of the Earth
new high score
on the pinball machine
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
last day markdowns
of 80% off
* * *
litter lines tables and floors
after the final closing
* * *
to the dump, dump, dump
to the dump
* * *
only one wishbone
left on the shelf
* * *
frost on store windows is free
help yourself
* * *
a sign “we’ll pay you
to take this stuff”
* * *’
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
*
a blink in the eye
of the storm
**
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
*
saving money
by going into debt
*
led into temptation
down every aisle
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
*
a knot in the stomach
joins the knot in the stem
*
slinking away
form the wormhole
**
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
*
joining hands as the eye
of the storm passes
*
a deep look
inside a black hole
*
a finch flies in and out
through the French doors
*
going on
past the vanishing point
**
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
the two thousand drawers
of the Chinese buffet
an electron
jumps orbit
asters held up
to the stars
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
the shirt off
his back
the white shirt off
his white back
the turnips take on
a holy glow
winter sale
everything
must go
– Keith Evetts
older now
I wear pyjamas
moths have been
after the ermine
winter sale
everything
must go – Keith Evetts
Sir Alfred sighted
floating down the Thames
—
winter sale
everything
must go – Keith Evetts
Donald’s comb-over
replaced by a toupee
—
winter sale
everything
must go – Keith Evetts
but first that salesgirl
picking her nose
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
—Wendy C. Bialek
the sonographer asks
if we want to know the sex
LOL!!
Thank you, John. Go well!
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
the fizz of champagne
meeting with warmth
winter sale
everything
must go………… Keith Evetts
one more added
to the wish list
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
finally catching
the comet
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
hard to digest
sudden burst of anger
winter sale
everything
must go……………………Keith Evetts
no room for the moon
in the frozen pond
this is my fav. Biswajit, it is beautiful.
winter sale
everything
must go……………………Keith Evetts
drift clearing moon shines
on modest mannequins
through a roof hole
the cold moon NFS
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
— Wendy C. Bialek
my tell-all
pays off
passed down
from George Washington
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
a customer
tug of war
* * * *
managers empty
their storage spaces
* * * *
buying reduced stuff
I don’t need
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
even sacrosanct secrets
of the Masons
* * * *
greed in the miser’s heart
hardens
* * * *
barriers to peace
evaporate
* * * *
portals to another
world open
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
at birth
we name him Joseph
* * * *
the nuns pray
for a speedy recovery
* * * *
in the Counting House
Ebenezer adds up the bill
* * * *
the EMT remarks,
“it will come out in the end”
* * * *
winter sale
everything
must go (Keith Evetts)
–
child scavengers
sort through ‘landfill’
—
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit (Wendy C. Bialek)
–
all eyes
on the contortionist
—
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything ( C.X. Turner)
–
revelations
in the gypsy’s tent
—
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything ( C.X. Turner)
–
except the only exit
which is bolted shut
winter sale
everything
must go
a double ended dildo
cut in half
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
another drone strike
on the neighbor’s house
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
the throbbing ventricles
of my excited heart
Have a great time at Seabeck and on your train journeys, there and back, John. It’s lovely to have the challenge of Tan Renga again, under your well-experienced guidance.
Here’s a toast to you with my morning coffee. ( It’s too early in the day for our Red.)
winter sale
everything
must go………… Keith Evetts
uphill neighbours see
left-over porridge in my sink
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything……… C.X. Turner
Earth I calls
Earth II
Congratulations to C.X., Keith and Wendy for your verses that John has chosen for the next capping venture.
My first thoughts for each:
winter sale
everything
must go (Keith Evetts)
the clang of metal
down at the docks
—
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit (Wendy C. Bialek)
many don’t
live to tell the tale
—
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything ( C.X. Turner)
our home planet shrunk
to a blue marble
just for fun:
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit…………………Wendy C. Bialek
wendy blossoms
kissing ku
wendy blossoms
welcoming ku
winter sale
everything
must go……………………Keith Evetts
down covers merch
after pillow tussles
down hits the ceiling
after pillow tussles
down splashes ceiling
after pillow tussles
i must quote from Pamela Garry:
“What a thrill to be part of this tan-renga! Thank you John! I love your choices and your final choices! Special congratulations to John (love the humor in your Jack and Jill), Laurie and Richard!!!”
and add (that so many of John’s picks, were publicly and privately my favourites, too!)
Congrats to C.X. Turner, and Keith Evetts (and my delighted self) for this weeks opening verses and the fun and challenge we all will have capping all three.
And Wendy, C.X. and Keith, thanks for such wonderful opening verses! Thanks again John for keeping us engaged!
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
a flood of memories
fills the void
***
buttercups
cover the field
***
blushing
to my roots
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
grateful my tonsils
were removed
***
sakura
deep inside
***
afraid of how
it comes out
Eavonka, the ‘tonsil’ verse is such fun!
Excellent selections, John. Congratulations all around. Enjoy Seabeck!
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
a childhood toy
falls to the ground
***
wedding gifts taken
out of storage
***
spiderwebs
not for sale
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
right along with
a loosened filling
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
disciples shiver
in the fire’s light
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
on the dusty shelf
a broken doll winks
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
*
so far no cure
for the hiccups
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit –Wendy C. Bialek
the rest of the journey
a vanilla pudding dish
* * * *
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything C.X. Turner
on the horizon
mountains
* * * *
winter sale
everything
must go Keith Evetts
including the fixtures
and dust mites
Thanks, John! Congrats to everyone!!
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
a paramedic’s
deep blue eyes
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
the mind reader
surveys a crowd
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
a remaining leaf
lingers on an oak
richard-love the ‘remaining leaf’
Thanks, Wendy!
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
*
so many stars
after the first one
*
how the soundtrack takes us
by surprise
*
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
*
buying anything
to get a discount
*
the scramble for cards
from the spinner racks
*
laurie…love ‘the scramble for cards
from the spinner racks’
Congratulations to the poets chosen for the capping verses: Richard Straw and Laurie Greer. Also, congratulations to the poets selected or the opening verses this week. Wendy C. Bialek, C.X. Turner, and Keith Evetts. Well done, everyone.
Offerings of other poets for these verses were impressive. This is a very interesting tan-renga collaboration.
John Stevenson, thank you for including my verses in your long listing. I was surprised and pleased to find my suggestiv.e verse chosen as a capping poem. I look fordward to making capping offerings to the next round of opening verses.
John Stevenson, have an enjoyable Seabeck journey.
best congrats to richard, laurie, and john d.
for your chosen caps, so well done…
high praise to wendy, c.x. and keith
for your special threes.
and john stevenson, we are in such good hands
under your masterful guidance. thank you for
returning, and for your quality selections on
both the list and the finals.
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
the spill of colours
in the sky of mine
Lakshmi Iyer
**
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
one by one I let go
the six vices
Lakshmi Iyer
**
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
not before I keep aside
dad’s favourite sweater
Lakshmi Iyer
Excellent selections, John. Congratulations to the poets chosen for the capping verses, and those chosen for the opening verses this week. Well done, everyone.
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
testing positive
a new negative
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
taking a dagger
to the envelope
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
I reserve my place
in the graveyard
winter sale
everything
must go
— Keith Evetts
as a boat sinks under
the Brooklyn Bridge
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
C.X. Turner
*
the dolly back
from the close-up
*
the panorama
of panning shots
*
winter sale
everything
must go
Keith Evetts
*
skeins of geese
at two for one
*
putting aside
some cold hard cash
*
What a thrill to be part of this tan-renga! Thank you John! I love your choices and your final choices! Special congratulations to John (love the humor in your Jack and Jill), Laurie and Richard!!!
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
— Wendy C. Bialek
just when I need
a pit stop
in the stillness
your gaze
opens everything
— C.X. Turner
marzipan assorted fruits
never get old!
winter sale
everything
must go
— Keith Evetts
the final
meltdown
how many times
for the last time
going over a bump
i swallow
the cherry pit
Wendy C. Bialek
*
the many pluses
of negative space
*
John–thanks for picking one of mine! A wonderful surprise, given the wealth of selections.
Can’t wait to get started on the next three. So so good to have you back–
I second Laurie’s sentiments, John! Have a pleasant time at Seabeck.
ditto!!! make me three!
this is so much fun! what a wonderful array of talent and creative responses! John, you continue the fun with your selections!
Have a great trip and visit with all the haiku buddies.
(and share bushels of merch!)