Rowanberries’ bright coral
against fat green
fishbone leaves
open mouthed aerial acrobats
swallowing August’s currents
every night a dozen slugs
rise from the ground
up the downpipe
an arc of slow light
a sense of longing
the monastery
is a mirror
and you are naked
waking up, the room
a crumb of world
looking at others
I manage to smile
my best false smile
in thirst try elderflower
but in doubt drink tea
a hot breeze
the clouds withdraw
for a moment
a big enough heart
like a worn out sieve
wings of feather
and sinew
fly me home
the ache in her hip
a friendly pain
sitting still
with near and far enemies
judging distance
the new fruit knife
murderous dreams
English geese
speak Italian
migrating south
restless sighs
escape the circle
daytime moon
heaven blown
thistledown
urtica dioica hides its sting
behind botanical Latin
we depart
a square of flattened grass
evidence of our effort
I throw logs on the fire now
that were meant for autumn.
a genius loci renga
at Harnham Buddhist Monastery
21st August 2010
Participants:
John Bower
Chandra Livia Candiani
Geoff Jackson
Marian Keay
Cesare Mariscotti
Christine Taylor