After the Concert

Good Friends: A 12 Verse Renga After the Concert After the concert The full moon in the clear sky And the autumn wind Though it is late in the night The musicians are hungry Crowds are gathering For the restaurant opening And the five-star chef All alone in the alley Asleep in the packing crate The shelter is full Ice grips the streets and sidewalks She buys a new scarf Harsh static from the cellphone Leaves a question in the heart Patiently he says, "I have told you many times How much I love you." A dozen wine red roses In an antique crystal vase The lengthening days Bring the first warm afternoon After months of cold "Why don't you go out and play?" (Mom wants some time by herself.) In the summer heat Dodgeball in the public park And the radio "I think they grow up too fast," Says the soldier with one leg