Into Sunlight : the unfinished renga

Into Sunlight : the unfinished renga


into tropical air
rainbow lorikeets—
a mango restaurant closed


temperate cardinal
chipping his latin beat


at 45 degrees
the driving rain
filling a beggar’s bowl


these evening showers
in a field of bare trees


the clouds turn green
when snared on eucalyptus

the sacred ibis


raising its wide wings
exposing a sunrise


pointing eastwards
twitching in a dream
the dog’s paws


chasing ruddy deer
through rainbows


morning’s warm moist air
curls around my legs
unseen caress


river reeds rustling
someone comes through the shadow


a dozen crows fly
above the lone cyclist
sparrow on a branch


listening to wind blow
where does it come from?


filling a white sail
bending a tree


holding ancient forms
roots seeking clear waters
under the earth


above the street & stark trees
a gap in clouds: the moon


gentle light bathes
the opened chrysalis
strange new light


in the distance
sacred ibis rise from grass


sudden thunder
a black butterfly flitting
from flower to flower


broken cobweb
a moth flies away


dream changes
on my pillow
black and blue dust


mudprints
across a white bedsheet


the shroud
of a child
before cremation


dirt and dew
glistening pumpkins


stones for the cairn
above the cardinal
claims his old branch


turning, a smile seen
night draws in


so far away
in the deepest darkness
a beacon on the hill


candle out
the sizzle of saliva on fingers


pointing the thread
only the hole can receive
for the needle


unravelled into the wind
kite of many ghosts

first flight
after the broken wing healed

Alan Summers ◊ England
Merrill Ann Gonzales ◊ United States

Publications:
 
Azami magazine  (Osaka, Japan)  'unfinished renga' Into Sunlight  (1998)

snow on the water  

Red Moon Anthology ISBN 0-9657818-8-7  “unfinished renga” (1998)

snow on the water: The Red Moon Anthology of English-Language Haiku 1998, edited by Jim Kacian and the Red Moon Editorial Staff.

This anthology was also a Haiku Society of America Merit Book Award Winner.  

"snow on the water continues the tradition of the most celebrated serial book of haiku in the world. 146 poems, 20 other pieces as selected by 11 of the best haiku poets from around the world."

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