Rags on the thorn tree
tied the branches –
blow useless winds

the last leaf twists –
is a kite

dark night waits
moon slivers
into the frozen pond

cars pass lost
in news radio chatter

tune me in, top down
wella-wella-wella
tell me more

’til the train
rocks us to sleep

not awake already
even in the rhythm
we’ll arrive together

your breath warms
my spine

tongue licks, claws click
I can’t keep any
stiller than this

clasped hands
of a stopped watch

prayers open and close
purple respires
into black

the rains fallen over
the hills of heather

flash floods rush
toward the silver eye
of night

on the island
sticks are sharpened

bark chips curl, crackle –
sparks rise
on a fiery current

I light one cigarette
from another

watch as my
hand plays
paper-stone-scissor

Indian paintbrush scatters
all the country roads

small fingers tuck sprays –
petals are hiding
in her tangled hair

a faded pink
pressed between pages.


a nijuuin renga in the season of Winter
The Rothko Chapel, Houston
January 16, 2004


Participants
Master poet, Alec Finlay
Host poet, Elbert Pruitt
Mary Margaret Carlisle
Patrick Phipps
Jessica Yu