Quartet ~ The Origami Barge

Quartet: The Origami Barge


Autumn in Venice -
a passenger boards
the origami barge

a spice so sweet,
the moonlight on silk

calculus
at the edge of thought
escaping resolution

no other purpose
but to disturb the dust



healing the scars
from boiling henna
in an iron pan

a barrel of lant
to tan the walrus hide

his anorak
put on backwards
the shaman does the deed

praise and thanks
for the bride's virginity



little lambs cavort
as well they ought
and not be naughty

his dog cherry cane
clack-clacking down the path

it's the ocean
you can smell from here,
the boundless sky above

the wild pearl
unaware of imperfection



I stole a kiss
that night we met
the ferris wheel broke down

you promised me a ride
in a red convertible

a rumble in the switchyard,
distant train horns
long and low

the monkey and his master
do the rounds







Tzetzka: 1, 5, 8, 12, 14

John: 3, 6, 9, 11, 16

Willie: 2, 4, 7, 10, 13, 15


Tzetzka Ilieva, Marietta, Georgia, USA

John Carley, Rossendale, Lancashire, England

William Sorlien (sabaki), St. Paul, Minnesota, USA



The Origami Barge first appeared in A Hundred Gourds 3:2