Grandmother’s first love

Cool summer night
Walk along the lake
Duck’s waddle by

Stars shinning bright
Moonlight dancing across the sky

His hand in mine
Hearts pounding
Connection

The reeds sway
To the rhythm of the breeze

The dove’s cry
The crickets harmonize
Providing the night’s love song

Little girl finds a pressed reed
Grandmother reminisces

Christina Sperry & Tamika Hall

Husband and Wife

Introduction
Casual conversation
Another time

Did she call?
My last chance

Should I go?
Hurt again?
Read some more

Having fun with friends
Something is missing

I’m falling
Afraid
Love, surprise

Christina Hall & friends

Wedding Day

the clock says 2:00 p.m.
it is almost time
the feeling of butterflies

an autumn day
yet the hottest day

heart to heart conversation
with my parents
the doors open

church full of guests
can’t see anyone but him

as the music starts
so do we
he gives me away

exchanging of vows
my forever love

Chondalen & Ken Chisenall

The Struggle

bitter silence
everything I want to say
but can't (BF)
 
    screaming thoughts
    within my head (JK)
 
angry tears
down my cheeks
where do I turn? (BF)
 
mountain top
the view is breathtaking
you hear the wind (JK)
 
    silence from within
    peace at last (BF)

new dawn
you awake
cold shoulders break (JK)

Beth Forcum & Jacqueline Kauffold

Sisters

looking back
over the years
wondering what if . . .

no longer children
anymore

growing older
seeing new things
questions

still as children
with many uncertainties
grown adults

now are own children
learning together

teaching them
the things we learned
still wondering what if . . .

Renga by Andrea Salzman
and Nigel Poe

Forgiveness

love you
despite all my angry words
I always will (BF)

lightening flash and thunder crashes
rain pounds the earth (RF)

turn away
searching the darkness
for answers through tears (BF)

feeling helpless
hostage to my pride
afraid to reach out (RF)

fickle summer storm
runs itself out so quickly (BF)

drips from the gutter
anger subsides
fingertips graze her bare shoulder (RF)

Beth & Ross Forcum

New arrival

Full life
I’m happy
More?

Truck or motorcycle?
Bowling

Am I ready
For little feet
Completely scared

Toys or kids?
Am I ready?

The test
The pause
The blank stare

Toys gone
Wow
My princess

Christina Hall & friends

Blessing from God

Little faces
Enter the world

warm smile
fresh diaper
love to cuddle

Unconditional love
Teaching
Right from wrong

exchanging
thoughts until
the sun comes up

Thinking
Making decisions
Affecting my life

trying to decide
where to go
and when

Dee Spates & Neisha Joyner

The beach

summer heat
warm sand burning under my feet
splashing and laughter

smell of the grill
turning my hunger

covered in sand
sand castles so high
-the beach

relaxing in the chair
the sun
covering my whole body

waves crashing
my eyes on you

holding hands
we walk
along the shore.

by Connie Cruz and Casey Brown

Rengay (three parts)

Unheaded warning
Big sister’s cries of pain
Falls on deaf ears

Ignorant to the blunders
Decisions were made

Big round eyes
Look up to
The older model of the pair

Many jeans shared
Yet lives vastly different

Hearts of one
Beating independently
But aching together

Hard to erase
The trust infringed upon.

Patricia O’Dear & Carrie White

2

Uncertain silence
On the other end
Of my endless babbling

The mind favors
The pessimistic approach

Advice well taken
To guide me through
Today’s ensuing circus

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!
What happened to the unicorn

Days long ago
Were so much simpler
When Ken was the perfect man

Then again, I’m a Barbie girl
In a Barbie world

Patricia O’Dear & Carrie White

3

Face hurts
Jaw clench
Frames of reality flicker

Firefly leads the way
The white rabbit chasing

Time stands still
Mind races
Hey Alice, I’m late

Cheshire cat moon hangs low
Light shed on hooka

1 Caterpillar
2 Blades of Grass
3 4 rings of smoke lingering

Cheers
To a very Merry Unbirthday!

Patricia O’Dear & Carrie White

School

school bell rings
muffled voices
in the hall

giggles and smiles
remember weekend fun

pop quiz
...summer
definitely over

daydreaming...
my name in the distance

laughter - chaos
snaps me
back to reality

watching the clock
this day is finally over!

rengay written by
Erica Lamarche, Elaine Agnew
and Chonda Chisenall

Winter

Kneading dough
of sugar cookies
my patience running thin

under my finger nails
a sweet treat

hum of a snow blower
my cat runs timid
an aroma of Christmas

the silent sound of soft snowfall--
falling like feathers

a hint of sprinkles
over holly’s and Santa’s
the cookie cutters shape

the traditional mistletoe--
the hint of romance and holidays

John Tennyson

hot day
gatorade rushing
down my mouth

screaming parents
cheering on
so proud

doing plays
crowd going wild
angry thoughts in my head

the season changes
hot weather
instantly cold

like a herd of cattle
running wild
will they slow down

crowd suddenly sighs
loud sirens ringing
in my ear

Dee Spates & Tedric Spates

History Preserved

creaking hinges
cellar door opens slowly
to reveal crumbled steps

open to the world
air hisses in the background 
 
swirling dust
foot print remains
as I descend
 
still
I see the past
untouched

jars of green
aligned in rows

curling brown labels
grandma’s handwriting
revealing what’s inside

by Rheem and Greg Lock

fog
engulfs the trees
I awake

above the treeline
the sun rises

sound of a combine
roars through the air
fall is here

rust colored leaves
falling
amidst chattering birds

a deer frolics
unaware of its fate

he draws back
the arrow flies
blood trickles

Elaine & Bill Agnew

A Day in Paradise

peaceful existence
life…
on a farm

sunlight
on their faces

laughter –
children running
in the grass

pouncing puppy
nipping
at their heals

stirring up
a crowd of chickens

out the window
grandma calls –
“come and get it, ya’ll!”

Rengay by Erica LaMarche
& Jim LaMarche

Visitor from the Heavens

Bright flash
Building shakes
The silence
 
Filled water glass
Emitting concentric rings
 
Innocent giggles
Fade away
The heat
 
Scorched earth
Ball of glowing orange
Where grass once grew

Sirens blaring
Eyes focus

Teeming mass
People emerge
To witness the beginning…

by Bruce Nielsen and Greg Lock

The Teenager

taking kids to school
mom’s hug
pushed away

the back seat
a backpack sits

morning paper
favorite coffee cup
the phone rings

words crossed
begging for compassion

secretary calls
a look of thanks
bells ring

Jacqueline Kauffold
and Calleen Wrigley

The Sounds of Life

hot summer night--
riding through the fireflies
by the pale moonlight

tree frogs murmur--
crickets chirp in search of friends

old song--
soft like elevator music
the tune is catchy so he whistles

thinking of words to flow
from my personal experiences

the whistle blows
loud
like a tornado siren

pulling out my tools
to being a new work day.

John Tennyson

Stars

a million stars
smoldering embers
camping season begins

bright summer night
emerging thru cool pines

soft breeze blowing
over my body
gazing upwards

marauders shatter peace
rustling paper trashcan lid
moving on sleep returns

the heat of the day
streams in through nylon walls

single star promise keeper
untouched breakfast
beach and forest call beyond prayer

a rengay by Julie Crabtree (1,3,5) & Jeff Crabtree (2,4,6)

Memories

festive lights
warmth all around
favorite time of year

cornbread stuffing
cooking all day

gathering . . .
plethera of gifts
family intimacy

paper and ribbons strewn
visions of Sugar Plums
snoring . . .

pancakes in the morning
snow on the ground

Mary & Christian

Passion

unhappy quarrel
all are cranky
perfect blow ends discussion

the bell has rung
retreat to bus work

smoldering silence without peace
flood of injustice
no worse pain than the heart feels

the touch of her skin
on the small of her back
I don’t want to fight

happy or right never the same
cost of anger too high

touching of lips
as if the first time
the passion of making up

a rengay by Julie Crabtree (2,4,6) & Jeff Crabtree (1,3,5)

Grandmother’s first love

Cool summer night
Walk along the lake
Ducks waddle by

Stars shinning bright
Moonlight dancing across the sky

His hand in mine
Hearts pounding
Connection

The reeds sway
To the rhythm of the breeze

The doves cry
The crickets harmonize
Providing the night’s love song

Little girl finds a pressed reed
Grandmother reminisces.

Tamika Hall, Christina Sperry, Richard Stivers, & Diana Howell

Chicago

small town girl
big city
nervous excitement

“Uptown”
eighty-four languages

John Hancock Building
sunset
city aglow

busy streets
homeless people
south side of Chicago

flickers of light
next stop – Nueveo Leon

beautiful murals
colorful heritage
windy city

Rengay by Susan Berroyer
& Elaine Agnew

The Search

A lonely
Walk home
In the night

Owl’s hoot
Sound of locust swarming

A chill fills the air
Gusts of wind
Make the old tree sway

Shadows follow
Closely behind in the moonlight

Piercing bright light
Suddenly appears
Heart pounds and hands shiver

Dad yells…
We found the dog.

Tamika & Xavier Hall

strength weakens
anxious, anticipation
eternal waiting

sweaty brow
flushed cheek

determined thrust
Angelic cry
sound of beauty

precious body
small features
room aglow

excitement overflowing
first light

hopeful dreams
tranquility
rest well

Rengay by Susan Berroyer & Danielle Wendling

UCA
sultry - summer day
faithful flyer

loyalty & trust
burning passion

determined bases
soaring - Scorpion
“stick”

bitter-sweet release
into the heavens
full down…

rush of adrenalin
applause

nervous anticipation
waiting…..
coveted “spirit stick”

Rengay by Susan & Allie Berroyer

What's in a summers night

hot summer night
sitting on the swing
mosequito bites

cotton balls dripping pink
calamine lotion

pink and white skin
still itches
gazing up at the stars

more stars in the sky
than dots on me
the joys of summer

shooting star goes by
do I dare wish?

what wish could be made
better than this
swinging on the porch swing

a haiku by Tina Calhoun (1,2,5) & Julie Crabtree (2,4,6)

Grandma's Jar

tapping holes in tin
grandma's mason jar
capturing lightning bugs

giggling children
feet rustling in the grass

just as a light is seen
it disapears in the dark
only one in the jar

little hands
opens the squeaky lid
drops 3 more

on the dresser
hand made nite light

drifting off to sleep
dreaming
grandma's jam

a haiku by: Julie Crabtree (1, 3, 5) & Tina Calhoun (2, 4, 6)

Reflections

colored leaves on the road
dancing left and right
empty eyes

around on foot
following the shadow

as she catches her breath
the memories flow
rapid heartbeats

unintentional smile
pain in her gut
time passages

bearing in mind
distance is near

searching for crystal blue eyes
never going back
except this last time

by Andrea Salzman, Mary Birmingham, and Tobi Randles

Celebrate

Independence day
willow tree
lingers in the sky

one day
celebration and remembrance

many children
light the park
sparklers

fireworks
brighten faces
of young and old

colorful sky
they watch in awe

the ride home
seemed long
--finale

Wendy Miller & Wes Heckman, Jr

xxxxx

Family Reunion

grandma
admiring her best work
a family photo

smiles revealed
through the years

strangers getting reacquainted
a picnic in the park
family reunion

years apart
the closeness remains
in their hearts

children’s laughter
heard all around

embracing each other
the chatter lessens
as evening nears

by Wendy Miller & Connie Cruz

xxxxx