Sun, sliced in half—
juice and pulp and seeds exposed
by knife blade.
A sip of citrus blood
sugars my tongue
and I toss the hull away.
My requirements for the day
met: I laugh, belly deep, I dance
inappropriately,
I drink this
forgiving sun
into my fraying bones
and forget the upset
apple cart where I’ve piled up
all my shame.
© 2025 Jennifer Wagner
Dora has us reimagining something familiar or habitual with our poems over at dVerse.
Oh my, what a twist, wrapped in an original and very vivid image! So much for your stupid red wheelbarrow, WCW, Jen has eclipsed you.
ReplyDeleteI love the citrus metaphor and how you worked it... and then after sun comes the load of apples (a lot of apple poems this time)
ReplyDelete"Sun, sliced in half--": was there ever an opening more shocking?! What a riveting read, Jennifer, one that surprised at every turn such that the end when it came, made me (almost) ready for it. The imagery is raw, the sentiment unabashedly frank, and a totally cool dip into the defamiliarized familiar. I have to add that the center of the poem, "I laugh, belly deep, I dance/inappropriately," drives home the vulnerability of the persona, making us identify with her more.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful metaphor, there is something Garden of Eden about it. I love the idea of enjoying the citrus, dance inappropriately and leaving the apples of shame. I love it and want to dance too!
ReplyDeleteGlad you do! Wish I knew who the author is of this lovely, lively comment!
DeleteI'm smiling, love this and I think we all need days like this. Clever!
ReplyDeleteWow, Jennifer! From the opening line to the last, this is a stunning write.
ReplyDeleteAwesome poem, Jennifer! It feels so carefree at the beginning and at peace at the end!
ReplyDeleteYvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Excellent poem, Jennifer!
ReplyDelete