Deep Winter

 

First published in Frogpond 17:3, Autumn 1994. Written 9 August 1992 in Foster City, California. This was the first rengay ever written (Garry invented the rengay form the night before).

 

shriveled on a branch

unpicked apple                                                                 Garry

 

        grey sleet

        blows against the tree roots                               Michael

 

muffled by the storm

in this monochrome world

distant goat bell                                                                Garry

 

a clock ticking

by the frosted window

steaming muffins                                                             Michael

 

        at midnight

        counting each chime                                              Garry

 

storm clouds pass . . .

moonlight through lace curtains

falls on the cat’s back                                                     Michael