Untangled

Maybe life, in all its mysteries, is much

like reading a Mary Oliver poem.

It’s not about counting syllables

or forcing rhyme; it’s about

breathing deeply

of woods, of rain,

of blossom, of berry;

and in the words there’s that moment of recognition,

and you know the simple answer—

enjoy.

 

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

Brian at dVerse has us writing about puzzles!

Moonwhistle

She’d had too much winter

and spring came

with summer on its heels

like two pigtailed girls twirling in the sweet, tall grass, holding hands.

And then it blew, that low whistling, calling pixies to play

with a language none of them knew she understood;

and then the moon, the moon—

so hopeful, bright and round,

and who

can compete with the moon.

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

for dVerse OpenLinkNight

Full Circle from the High Road

You asked me how I felt,

after the year gone shipwreck

in the land of the malignant albatross,

and I could never answer you completely—

my chest too constricted, my voice,

mutilated and rasping in the wind.

You asked me how I felt,

and I have found words now,

though I have only wings for yesterday

fitted to fly in a sky I no longer believe in.

You asked me how I felt,

but I will hold my tongue

and watch patiently from my perch

the crow you will have to eat

nesting among wolfsbane and water hemlock,

while I am gaining strength to dip my feathers

and soar above the vultured horizon.

You asked me how I felt

and soon you’ll know

how it feels.

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

For dVerse where Victoria has us writing anaphora poetry.

*wolfsbane and water hemlock are highly toxic plants.

Twinkling in the Midnight Blue(s)

That flicker in the

spaces between quivered breaths

calls to me on quilted nights.

Like stars collected

in a jar of lidless hopes,

each dark sky births want of you.

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

This is my attempt at a Sedoka for dVerse Form for All:  The Princess’ Poem to her Secret Love.  Poet and host Samuel Peralta has invited us to try this rare form of unrhymed Japanese poetry consisting of two tercets with a scheme of 5-7-7 and 5-7-7 syllables.