I love the momentum that builds during this phase of a poem… for here is where we are required to push ourselves, to break new ground, to create an image that captivates with its originality. And the six poets who have offered up their words for link #8 have done just that!
After the hit of humour from Chloe, the majority of the poems here dive into darker territory.
Simon opens things by following the roots of the daffodils deeper into the earth; Cindy creeps across the lawn in a shroud of fog and later, on a rooftop, feels the breaking of waters; Jonathan leaves us wondering about his level of exertion as he ponders, raindrops or sweat?; John shrinks with the shadows, then gives us a much needed hit of sun; Chloe spotlights the one person silent at the wake; Mal, in just four words, leaps from the soil where we left the daffodils to a baby’s soiled nappy; and finally John returns to directly question spring – squat or leg up?, before bursting yolk on our tongue.
There was one poem from Jonathan that continued the thread of humour… his off beat vision of ducklings crossing the road.
It has been a wonderful collection of poems for me to have rolling around my head.
And now it is time to take the leap…
This time, for its startling twist, intense colour and its ability to link back and leap forward, I have gone with John’s ‘spring shower’.
So off we go again in search of Link #9, the final poem in the intensification phase. This time we are looking for 3 lines, without a seasonal reference… so let’s continue to break new ground, to take the poem off into the unknown.
Looking forward to your words,
*****
My Aching Back: Shisan
Started: 15 May 2013 – Finished:
Written between: Matt Hetherington, Lyndon Norton, Ashley Capes, Lee-Anne Davie, Chris Lynch, Mal Keeble, Chloe Callistemon, John Wainwright,
Side 1 – jo – preface
Link #1 (3 lines) – hokku (autumn)
my aching back
a leaf falls
from a branch
(Matt Hetherington)
Link #2 (2 lines) – wakiku (autumn)
as I put down the rake
the sky darkens
Link #3 (3 lines) – daisan (non seasonal)
in the shed
removing a dropcloth
from old paintings
Side 2 – ha part one – development
Link #4 (2 lines) – winter moon
gravy smears the dinner plate
winter moon
(Lee-Anne Davie)
Link #5 (3 lines) – non seasonal
I regret
the light switch
cockroaches
Link #6 (2 lines) – non seasonal
the old dog dreams
of the chase
Side 3 – ha part two – intensification
Link #7 (3 lines) – spring blossom
the puppy
pisses on all
the daffodils
(Chloe Callistemon)
Link #8 (2 lines) – spring
spring shower
yolk burst on the tongue
Link #9 (3 lines) – non seasonal
Side 4 – kyu – finale
Link #10 (2 lines)- non seasonal, love verse
Link #11 (3 lines) – non seasonal, love verse
Link #12 (2 lines) – ageku (summer)