Hitcher and I collaborated on this linked tanka poem. It's similar to rengu (Japanese) but free form. This is the end. The father came home, ate the stew and died. Now, the children are free of his abuse and placed in a foster home where they will be safe.

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

The way it worked was this, I wrote three lines and he followed with two lines. We didn't know where this is going. This tale of murder, betrayal, and abuse, it's developing as we go.

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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
-------------------------


Death arrives and claims his soul
smiles at soup flask in his hand

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

Thank you for reading,

By Gypsy Blue Rose
Fanstory Haiku Instructor
Haiku Society of America Member
Next class starts in June

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