January Jest - a Collaboration

A collaborative poem, written in renga format, or "linked-verse", by Timothy Hicks and Jesse Whitehead. Verses in normal font are by me. Verses in italic are by Jesse Whitehead. January jest drawing mustaches in the newspaper coffee to warm the hands walking the railroad refusing to stay put a child's balloon spring in her step red moon overhead has dusk come already? the field of tulips seem to say unwavering and gentle strong as stone mountain peaks wind through summer meadows a tender caress lying there still a heart-shaped mark steady rhythm ebb of the tide broken shells spiraling earthward the last golden leaf fading in and out memories sweetly touched a dancing flame burning through pages another x on the calendar NOTE: This was my first attempt at a Renga poem, written in collaboration, with one of my best friends from Idaho, Jesse Whitehead. He's one of the few friends of mine whom I could discuss writing with. Though he typically writes fiction and stories, rather than poetry, he was willing to give this poetry format a go; and to my knowledge this was his first time writing poetry. It's a fun little challenge that I hope you all will give a try!