Pacific Northwest

Green winter notes

in January

bleed into February--

scent of pine, lavender,

           honey in my tea.

We slice lemon,

bake salmon, peppery

and warm

           like you,

a wild, wild rose,

no hint of snow--

grow 'round my calves,

up my thighs,

hug my hips

a little tighter,

hold me

to spring.

© 2015 Jennifer Wagner

For Poetry Jam, Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, and dVerse OLN.

Jack O' Lantern Soup

Dancing squirrels

have taken note

of the pre-Thanksgiving

feast—

as windblown leaves,

soggy,

like fresh strips

of paper-mâché,

are stuck to everything

in sight—across our lawn, the path to our door.

I wonder, what would they think

if I sprinkled some Sriracha

or pepper-apple chutney

on top

of the jack o’ lantern soup

sitting

on our front porch,

rainwater

filling up

to the smile?

I prefer mine

with sour cream

and a little kick:

a half sandwich,

toasted

with lots

of pepperoncinis.

Do you think

they would mind

sharing

if I brought

and topped

it

with roasted

pepitas

and a caramelized pecan

or two?

I bet Beatrix would know.

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

For dVerse Poetics: Food for Thought

Note: I made pumpkin soup for the first time last year.  Soo good.