A thousand trees from sunset,
each with a hand held out our windows
cupping an apricot wind,
a warm pine breeze combs through our hair.
We curve, and twist,
take one last dip
before the fall of the sun
and the rising
of a champagne moon
bubbling up,
spilling the glass,
jealous of day’s light.
And just like that,
she’s cresting the berried branches,
nesting on the seat
between us,
that thing with feathers,
suddenly thirsty, opening wide,
suddenly bright.
© 2025 Jennifer Wagner
For The Word Garden Word List and
Hope is the thing with feathers – Emily Dickinson, of course.
I love "cupping an apricot wind" so much! This poem lifts the heart with every line. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful poem. I like the idea of bringing in hope with scent, a bird with scent, a bird that rises with the moon.
ReplyDeleteI too love the idea of an apricot wind. So delicately and beautifully written - Jae
ReplyDeleteYou have painted a vivid scene here, Jen. I especially liked "each with a hand held out our windows."
ReplyDeleteThis poem takes my breath away. I like how it builds throughout and then at the end is BRIGHT!
ReplyDeleteLovely and redolent with subtle fragrance, reaching a crescendo as it ends!
ReplyDeleteI could visualize each and every beautiful line! Apricot wind steals my heart. So lovely, Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteLove the Emily Dickinson reference. She's one of my heroes!
ReplyDeleteA very impressive poem . Brilliant beautiful images
ReplyDeleteOhhhh, so gorgeous, Jennifer. That thing with feathers is so potently alive in this poem and I am so here for it 👌🏼
ReplyDeleteLove the champagne moon--and the trees that reach for the reader with outstretched hands, and the apricot wind. A vivid evocation of Dickinson's sense of the frail continuity that constitutes hope. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLove “an apricot wind” and all the color and flavor here. Great to bring in Dickinson, perfect flourish.
ReplyDeleteThe Cascades are magnificent, I awaken each day to their snow covered caps ~ Oregon's High Desert. "A thousand trees from sunset" ~ your poem is perfection.
ReplyDeleteApricot wind, and champagne moon - Gorgeous!
ReplyDelete