an ‘On the Rock’ (Onza Rokku) linked verse composition
Note to the reader: The verses in a linked verse composition link to the previous verse, and shift from the verse preceding that. The theme of the poem constantly moves forward and changes, except for the last verse of the whole composition. Certain motifs are allowed to repeat; these are noted after our names.
May's tears
on the Knights of Columbus's asphalt,
decolonizing – Stella /spring/
they melt precious jewelry,
reborn into avarice – Spencer
red salmon
with pollution clutching their scales
swim upstream – Stella /fall/
I catch them, stalking from a rock,
and cook them for dinner – Spencer /rock/
prep the onions;
our guests grow impatient
chatting in the moonlight – Stella /moon/
heads crowned
with wilting bluebell blossoms – Spencer /flower/ /summer/
a pride parade
meanders through a techno-city
built by sociopaths – Stella /summer/
a premature end,
trampled flags on the ground – Spencer
with so many
light years to go
and things to be found – Stella /rock n roll/
but for now, sit with her
and drink chamomile tea – Spencer
a long death
from poison is more honorable to bear
than a thousand cuts – Stella
put down like a dog
in winter's teeth – Spencer /winter/
my spine
creaks
in the frigid air as a CEO crumples – Stella /winter/
from behind bars, the savior waits to be martyred – Spencer
icy
hearted
priest gives a sermon protecting abuse – Stella /ice/
the nicest woman you know sits and listens anxiously – Spencer
lovers
eagerly
saw a sparse tree full of birds – Stella /fall/ /love/
splashing flirtatiously in the water on the way back to the dam – Stella /fall/ /love/
a sturdy structure
housing all manners of creatures
built to last – Spencer
the sailor sits;
a slow sadness suffocates – Stella
cracking up on the rocks;
this is why you avoid the lighthouses
as a lover once advised – Spencer /rock/
leaving the tower;
wreckage in melting snow – Spencer /spring/
cubs explore
as mother keeps vigil
beneath the cherry blossom – Stella /flower/ /blossom/ /spring/
she says, “the land is ours, darling,
in some delicate way” – Spencer