Amaranthine

photo © 2013 Jennifer Wagner

Just outside this circle of light

the mood of sky is darkening

as sprinkles of rain are turning to floods.

I feel I won’t drown this time,

awash in ash, as deep autumn burns out,

thrusting the baton to barrenness.

Stained on the caverns of my heart

are four amaranthine trees.

Their branches and leaves are arms and handprints,

shoring up each chamber.

Their colors are lanterns,

bright and glowing.

This heart has been made rich and fertile;

this ship has beacons, reasons,

to remain buoyed and sustained.

By them I am helped to weave my way,

even when the dark bleeds thick

upon my mind, poisonous and looting.

I have found in their eyes

warm respite from the seeping cold of lifeless hollows

and cradle the hope that is anchored

in the breath and vitality

that each of their smiles light

to bring me home.

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

For my four sons and all they have had to understand in my struggle with depression.  Ever yours ~ Mom.

A Street for Kings

I wrote a poem

about two people

I often see

strolling together

holding hands—

is that you now on streets unending?

Every morning made

fit for a king

whispering poetry

to the ear of the one you love?

 

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

   

Today at dVerse we are remembering poet Dave King.  I wrote my poem based on a comment he left me.

“Could easily have been Doreen and me, if we had been in Seattle. It's a beautiful picture you paint and you delineate it well. Thanks for helping to make my morning.” – Dave King on my poem 75.

The Color of Blood

photo © 2013 Jennifer Wagner

the red pony

the hunt

for red october

the red pyramid

redwall

red rabbit

where the red fern grows

the red badge

of courage

the signature of jesus

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

For dVerse Form for All:  The Hidden Poetry in Books.  I went a totally different way with this than I thought I would.  It’s more of a list type of poem, but it’s where my muse lead.

Books are from our family library:  The Red Pony by John Steinbeck, The Hunt for Red October and Red Rabbit by Tom Clancy, The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, Redwall by Brian Jacques, Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane and The Signature of Jesus by Brennan Manning.

(In memory of Tom Clancy, Apr.12, 1947 - Oct. 1, 2013.  R.I.P.)

Mother's Portrait

Photo by Margaret Bednar

In the room of no music

and unlit fires

she hangs between us.

Her fingers continue to pound

the keys in my head

of all her expectations on me,

her hopes in you.

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

I’m a bit late, but this is for Margaret’s Artistic Interpretations at Imaginary Garden with Real Toads where she has invited us to concentrate on setting and mood as we write to images she took of place miniatures at the Art Institute of Chicago.

September Wish

photo © 2013 Jennifer Wagner

i know we’ll all

have our winters to face,

and for some, dark skies

may be just down the road—

but today, my hope is for light,

for rest on the journey,

and a place to sip sweet cider

with hints of cinnamon and clove

and autumn’s smile

to come and sit with us,

like a covering of colorful snow,

staying as long as it likes                    

© 2013 Jennifer Wagner

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