Maple Sugar

 

I am naked here,

arms stretched wide.

 

I’ve removed my apron,

my soles are rooted,

sandals tossed aside—

 

shaking my papery skins

of ochre, amber, umber,

deep chestnut brown

 

whistling down

as autumn storms

cause them to do

 

a little tune,

wild and flush,

like milk, like honey,

like money, or better—

 

the sound

of the storm-crested

rustling of two.

 

 

© 2024 Jennifer Wagner

 

dVerse OLN

Mariposa

I want to search your depths
and find veils
and smoke,
that will vanish at last in flame.

           --from Eve's Discourse, by Carilda Oliver Labra

Dormant

after first frost,

gypsy lips,

            volcanic

to your molten touch, erupt--

ignite the slumbering zest,

exotic scent,

hidden in white ginger flame,

burns us up

and leaves

            to ash

the petal nest

of our broken names.

We'll sleep like murderers
who've saved themselves
by bonding together in incomparable blossoming.

            --from Eve's Discourse, by Carilda Oliver Labra

© 2015 Jennifer Wagner

For the Sunday Mini-challenge at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads. Grace offered us the work of Cuban poet Carilda Oliver Labra for inspiration.

Mariposa is the national flower of Cuba (white ginger lily, “butterfly”).