Six Tan-renga with Paul O. Williams

First published in various journals. The late Paul O. Williams was a dear friend, and it was my pleasure to write the foreword for his last book of poetry, These Audacious Maples.

the parking lot

crowded on this crisp day—

with sea gulls Paul O. Williams

a dropped receipt

spins in the wind Michael Dylan Welch

~ ~ ~

a kite flown

from the pier weaves

among the sea gulls Paul O. Williams

by her anchored fishing pole

señorita stops her knitting Michael Dylan Welch

~ ~ ~

out in the garden

cleaned up for spring—

me and the spiders Paul O. Williams

the spigot now rusty

that dripped into her begonias Michael Dylan Welch

~ ~ ~

a winter morning—

at six-thirty in the rain

chickens out scratching Paul O. Williams

but for one at rest

under a wheelbarrow Michael Dylan Welch

~ ~ ~

passing the scarecrow

the homeless man seems jealous

of his job Paul O. Williams

porcupine quills

in the lost dog’s nose Michael Dylan Welch

~ ~ ~

the sunlit fountain—

the endless, varied games

falling water plays Paul O. Williams

my palms chafed

holding crutches Michael Dylan Welch