Ever since
you came by river,
the basket of my belly birthing
you and me together,
you to life, me to mother—
from day one,
your dreams have been
my very heart’s delight.
It’s been nearly thirty years
and I never tire of knowing—
tell me, son,
what sings in you today?
© 2025 Jennifer Wagner
Poem a Day 22: write a “tell me” poem
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)