Pregnant with my third baby,
I climbed over the black stones
to get to the beach
near Westport to go clamming—
rake in one hand,
pail in the other.
It was easier than I
thought it would be, heavy laden
as I was, and the chowder made
was even better
than I thought it would be—
smoke and ocean air a salty brine
for my wombfed son,
the thumpbeat of my heart
and the quick-tick of his in melody—
this poem
resting easy
between us
where all the rocky future had been.
© 2025 Jennifer Wagner
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| Clint & Emma Photo by Sydney Keller Photo |
She is a beautiful fragrance
born on the cusp of summer
like a flower pressed
to release the heart of a bloom.
She holds the charm
of sunlight in her golden-brown hair
and the air sparkles around her
smile, and my son’s, delighted to be her groom.
Two flames, soon one,
lit since he danced in my womb,
with my hand rested there in prayer
for him—she, the answer born of God’s perfume.
© 2025 Jennifer Wagner
Photo by Sydney Keller Photo
Perfect timing at What’s Going On? as today is my son’s fiancée Emma’s birthday.
Happy birthday, sweet girl!