Your Tonic Like Hawthorn

Hawthorn berries (Crataegus monogyna) 

Image:  Wikimedia Commons

you’re not

supposed to speak softly

in feather light whispers

at my throat

language foreign

to a scrap like me

my mini-heart flutters

in its hummingbird bones

afraid it might learn how to

cherish me too

Copyright © 2013 Jennifer Wagner

 

*Note:  Hawthorn berries, flowers and leaves are used as an herbal medicine in the treatment of heart and cardiovascular ailments.

Written for dVerse Poetics where Fred Rutherford has us keeping it brief!

Emily (Hope Kicks)

hope

kicks

you

when you need it

if you must

cry

scream (it’s unfair)

swear (every word you can think of)

snot running,

mascara flowing

down your chin

allow it

for one hour

or one day

eat chocolate

eat the cake

the whole damn thing

pity party

like there’s no tomorrow

if that’s what it takes

and then

you get up       

Get      

Up

big girl

get off the floor

it won’t let you stay there

hope

kicks

you

when you need it

reminds you

it is the thing

with feathers

and wings that sing

your truth to you

when you’ve forgotten

how to fly        

Copyright 2013 Jennifer Wagner

Inspired by my all time favorite poem by Emily Dickinson, “Hope” is the thing with feathers.