Exquisite Corpse #2: The Daunting Riddle

Grab the duct tape and plastic wrap—it’s time for another Exquisite Corpse!

Last month I asked for contributors to email me lines individually so no one knew what line had gone before. The first exquisite corpse was created through a Facebook post, so all the contributors could see the previous line.

Here are the results from our collaborative, ‘village-writes-a-poem’ creation. Individually, we created a whole. We are a community in a verse. I’m still amazed at how cohesive this poem turned out to be, despite being born in fragments.

And… here it is. I added the words in italics to connect  the lines. Marge Simon’s name was selected at random to receive a copy of my favorite poster from the Imaginary Foundation.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

The Daunting Riddle

“The frenetic life frantically unwinds the mortal coil?”

The obsidian sphinx coyly recited the daunting riddle
with elegant death mistily embracing the waiting crypt
and tender roots desperately grasping the rotting soil
as his lips were tightly pursed, his eyes blazing with unholy fire.

The colonial landing agreeably arranged the next meal.

—Written by (in order of line) Angela Yuriko Smith, Ashley Dioses, 
Laura Duerrwaechter (2), Marge Simon and John Reinhart

Also of interest:
Exquisite Corpse: Collaborative Poem
Play Exquisite Corpse Again?