unjumble

 

black-throated sparrow,

feed me with your light-seed

a tap-crack opening on the sill—

 

my prints smudge the glass

the ghosts of my lips, fingertips,

press the pane—

 

your bride’s pale blue eggs

in the scrub, your song

a tinkling bell, twittering dub—

 

sing, ace of spades, sing—

cut through the tie of my tongue

with your song—

live down your name

 

 

© 2025 jennifer wagner

 

 

It’s April and that means poetry month once again!  This poem refers to writer’s block, which I am hoping to avoid since I am challenging myself to commit to posting more poetry this month.  I don’t know if I will be doing this as a daily practice, but we’ll see as my days allow.  And, since I love birds, I’m also challenging myself to include more of them, or an aspect of them, in these April poems. 

 

The black-throated sparrow is also referred to as a desert sparrow.  The black patch on its throat resembles the black spade on a playing card.  It has a delightful song despite its name. 

 

NaPoWriMo Day 1

 

Hatch

I was the birdling

deep inside the egg

nestled down in mud.

 

Wind blew against

the misshapen shell—

so ugly and spotted it was beautiful.

 

Stirring, I set to work—

tip, tap, click, clack—

a bruised spot forming

from the egg tooth

before the gaping hole revealed me.

 

No song, just sweat and grit,

shell splattered with shit,

but in the midst of it—

ugly and alive and beautiful.

 

 

© 2023 Jennifer Wagner

 

 

 

Desperate Poets:  Desperate Voicings (Creative Method)