Swarthy, Silky, Smoky, Smooth

 

I’m a 95%-er when it comes to dark and bitter.  I’m your girl, so lay it on me.  You go on and have that cry; I’ll hold your hand when the proverbial sh-t hits the industrial-size fan.  Sometimes I go well with cream in the cup, most times I don’t.  I won’t sugarcoat—but at least I won’t be bland.  And you’ll remember this night sexier, silkier than you expected.  You’ll probably even wish daylight would knock on someone else’s door for that early morning run you forgot you committed to, choosing instead to let you stay wrapped up in sweet swarthiness, letting you savor the last bit of darkness down to the last crumb, the last drop.

 

smoky coffee, dense chocolate

how such dark things

can make me feel so light

 

 

 

© 2026 Jennifer Wagner

 

dVerse Poetics: Comfort Food

 

image above created by me using copilot 

Dress Like a Queen

 

Kindness can be worn like a robe—soft, rich and royal.

Ask me how I know and I’ll

Tell you this—

Humility is

Less don’t see me, but more I see you.

Even on my worst day,

Even when

No one else seems to.

 

Just because I smile, don’t mistake—I

Ache, too.  But warm and soft, it costs

Nothing to be kind,

Especially when it’s your worst day, too.

 

© 2026 Jennifer Wagner

 

Lesson learned from my grandma (Kathleen Jane).  March 20, the first day of spring, would have been her birthday.  So fitting for who she was as a person.  Also, I kept her robe.  It still smells like her.

 

dVerse:acrostic names

 

image above created by me using copilot

 

Clover, or Tea for Two (A Butterfly Cinquain)

There is

a hint of mint

on my lips and a hum

of lemon on my tongue.  Enough

for two?

say you. Yes, and please.  Iced or neat,

where our lips meet, sugar,

how you honey

me sweet.

 

© 2026 Jennifer Wagner

dVerse Poetics

 

Clover honey is made by bees who collect the nectar of clover plants.  Shamrocks are a type of clover.  Happy St. Patrick’s Day, y’all!  

image above created by me using copilot