Hitcher and I are writing a linked tanka. It's similar to rengu but free form. Because we are both big horror fans, our plot seems to lean that way.

The form is 31 syllables or less in a 5/7/5/7/7 pattern.

The way it works is this, I write three lines and he follows with two lines. We don't know where this is going. This tale of murder, betrayal, and abuse, it's developing as we go.

It's a lot of fun!

Thank you for reading.

Here is the complete poem thus far ...

After the harvest--
daylight drips away cold creeps
on the fallow field,
bitter winds whisper his name
telling us he's on his way.

Father's supper
on the stove simmering,
apron on the floor,
mother lying motionless,
my tears. They burn, flow and fall.

The last thing mom did
was for us, then her heart stopped.
The truth was too harsh.
Arsenic in the warm stew
mixing with his betrayal.

Mom's letter to us
was brief, "Don't eat supper!"
Pa won't touch us again
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Divided by author

After the harvest--
daylight drips away cold creeps
on the fallow field,

by Gypsy Blue Rose
-------------------------
bitter winds whisper his name
telling all he's on his way.

by Hitcher
-----------------------

Father's supper
on the stove simmering,
apron on the floor,

by Gypsy Blue Rose
-------------------------

mother lying motionless,
my tears. They burn, flow and fall.

by Hitcher
-----------------------

The last thing mom did
was for us, then her heart stopped.
The truth was too harsh.

by Gypsy Blue Rose
-------------------------

Arsenic in the warm stew
mixing with his betrayal.

by Hitcher
------------------------------
Mom's letter to us
was brief, "Don't eat supper!"
Pa won't touch us again

By Gypsy Blue Rose
Fanstory Haiku Instructor
Haiku Society of America Member

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