Shisan: My Aching Back (Links #5 – #6)

My Aching Back is gathering momentum… that sense of community and playfulness that I had hoped for, so thank you again to everyone for participating as a writer or reader. Your energy is exhilarating!

It was again a true pleasure to read the nine poems on offer for Link #5, and again, the decision has been incredibly difficult.

Without a season to reference, it has been wonderful to see the way each poet has leaped forward from the gravy smeared winter moon. For link #5 there are visions of cane toads and cockroaches; passing buses and green men; rolled up trousers and backyard games; piles of marking, aphids and something just out of view…

Such riches to move our poem forward.

And while each of these poems would lead us down a unique path, there is one poem that has had me transfixed since reading, so it is with no regret, that I have leaped into the light with the cockroaches and added Chris’s poem to the shisan.

This means the call is now open for Link #6 – 2 lines without seasonal reference. I am already excited to see which way the poem will move, so leap boldly! This is the final link in the development stage… after link #6, we will be journeying into the darker side of things…

I will be back on Monday to make my decision for Link #6.

Happy weekend to you all,

*****

My Aching Back: Shisan
Started: 15 May 2013 – Finished:
Written between: Matt Hetherington, Lyndon Norton, Ashley Capes, Lee-Anne Davie, Chris Lynch

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

(Lyndon Norton)

Link #3 (3 lines) – daisan (non seasonal)

in the shed
removing a dropcloth
from old paintings

(Ashley Capes)

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

(Chris Lynch)

Link #6 (2 lines) – non seasonal

Side 3 – ha part two – intensification

Link #7 (3 lines) – spring blossom
Link #8 (2 lines) – spring
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)