This Poem Is in Disguise

 

This poem is a bowl of cereal

with mostly milk left inside.

 

This poem smells like sweaty socks.

 

This poem learned how to ride a bike,

pick up a pen, how to read a story,

make scrambled eggs.

 

This poem dented the car with aforementioned bike.

 

This poem broke the upstairs window

with an arrow.

 

This poem left marks on the wall.

 

This poem knows how to shave,

leaves clippings in the sink,

and sometimes wears a beard.

 

This poem still rests its head on my knees.

 

This poem is a bowl of cereal

with mostly milk left inside.

 

This poem sits on the table

making a ring

around my heart.

 

 

© 2025 Jennifer Wagner

 

Inspired by Sherry’s prompt at What’s Going On?  My poem is inspired by the Boomerang Metaphor form she references but does not adhere to its rules.

Day 23 of NPM

From Day One

 

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

 

Gold Rush

 

This scent, this soft

sweater, both lavender,

on my skin.

 

I don’t know

where I got them—just picked them up

somewhere on the journey—gifts

 

along this path of stones

with sun, partly obscured, glinting

off miles of crushed fool’s gold—

 

my eyes squinting

in the dark

until the true rush—

treasure, shining.

 

This scent mingles

with memories of breast milk

on my babies’ breath,

 

fresh soap on their skin—

and that old quilt

from when I was young.

 

I wish I had it here now.

Purple, storied, some patches

tearing away.

 

I’d lay it down,

drink the wine of your lips,

pull our stories around us,

fool’s gold abandoned—

 

as our children are tearing away,

the lights of their own stories—

quilts unfolding.

 

Us, gold, rich.

 

 

© 2025 Jennifer Wagner

 

 

What’s Going On?  Light

 

As a mother, nothing delights me more than seeing my sons thrive and follow their dreams.  This year is a big one for each of them with significant upcoming milestones.  What’s best is they all have such good hearts.  True gold.  I am overwhelmed with gratitude to see who they are becoming as men, as lights.