Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Somehow I'd Forgotten All My Memories

 

Somehow, I’d forgotten

all my memories,

or was pretending to

 

like a zombie

milling about

in search

of sustenance.

 

So, after the funeral,

I ran.

 

After all the history sharing,

and others’ merry making,

I ran.

 

I tried to be nonchalant,

missing a few steps

on the way

down the stairs

and out the door.

 

It was this weird, clean

break inside me.

 

And how could I say it—

it was one I was happy for.

 

Since all my memories

weren’t roses and candy,

since more than a person had died

and my own heart

was still being stitched up

in fresh bandages,

 

I just wanted solace,

to turn up the stereo

in my car,

to drive through the mountains,

clouds breaking—

 

tossing my rings

out the window

unmarried

to the Me Too

I left behind.

 

 

© 2024 Jennifer Wagner

 

For Shay’s Word Garden Word List—Save Yourself

 

NPM Day 17

Monday, April 15, 2024

Pellegrino and Lime

 

surrounded

by magenta petunias

and my friday night lights

 

it’s patio-perfect in spring

 

my footfall

and yours

tiptoeing

 

past the snoring

winter wolf moon

turned pink

 

—and the little clink

our glasses make

 

to toast

the sun-drenched, fresh

summer

 

we’ve palmed

of our lives

 

 

© 2024 Jennifer Wagner

 

For dVerse Quadrille #199:  T.G.I.F.

 

NPM Day 15

 

Friday, April 12, 2024

Confidence

 

Think of yourself

like April.

Everyone waiting for you to arrive,

one hand on your hip,

throwing blossoms

over your shoulder with the other.

 

And you saying, “Damn, I’m good.”

 

 

© 2024 Jennifer Wagner

 

 

For Sumana’s April prompt.

 

NPM Day 12