Heavy Laden as I Was

 

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

 

A Lavish Goodbye

Photo from the last October I spent in WA before moving to AZ

© Jennifer Wagner

 

She crumples herself

around my feet

and under my shoes.

 

Curls herself in smoke offerings

of cedar, birch

against the blue.

 

Wet tingles my skin.

Crisp, clear

she drapes me in the richest of hues.

 

Who am I, who am I

to enjoy such beautiful parting?

 

 

© 2023 Jennifer Wagner