Black Canvas
slowing to 45
rumbling down
the endless road
a chill
leaking through windows
spirals of frost
dance to the
gentle breath
the ballet opens
the world stares
the galaxy's a stage
and we are the players
where no man has gone before
falling star's brushstroke
across black canvas
•
night sky
glittering dreams
litter the sky
a little girl
wishes for so much more
a quarter
cannot create
a new reality
inside my story I decide
what is real and what is not
middle school
english class
an existential crisis
terrified
the bruised child carries home an F
•
everyone wants the same thing
to live long
and prosper
the homeless man
hangs his head
remembering the days
when life was simple
she toys with her salad
dinner left uneaten
she scrutinizes her reflection
popularity
the rebel shows her
she can be more
she wears her armor
a worn, old leather jacket
•
28th birthday
she buys a cupcake
for herself
growing older and still
nobody to stand beside her
solitude in a crowd
content, simply
people-watching
her far-off gaze
pulling him in
a playful tug
sends him flailing
into lake waters
the sea monster
devours
•
another meal
a breeze comes
through the window
misty wind gusts
in off the lake
through the fog
mountain peaks
sprouting
thinning air
the height a view stealing my breath
the final frontier
I wish
for nothing more
soaring in the air
free falling
•
terminal velocity
the upwards rush
when the parachute unfolds
ground fast-approaching
stomach in my throat
instant contact
my eyes snap open
heart pounds in my ears
dreaming awake
falling asleep never
the day is not over
impromptu musical number
begins
a song bursting forth
begins the new day
• • •
The writing of this Kasen-Renga was an adventure. Beginning on November 21st, we wrote the first twenty-five links during an extremely long car ride using sketchbook paper and phones, and it was completed with paper and pencil on November 23rd.
We took some liberties with the traditional Kasen-Renga rules. Traditionally, in the fifth, thirteenth, and twenty-ninth links, the moon will make an appearance and in the seventeenth and thirty-fifth links, there will be an allusion to blossoms. Deciding that we wanted to make our own rules, we incorporated references to Star Trek in place of the moon and eighties movies references instead of blossoms.
We hope that it is as enjoyable to read as it was for us to write.