17 Trillion Is Just a Number

Burst the lock,

release the chain,

we ask for different

but get the same—

save (sell) our souls

in forward exchange.

Our customary currency:

owe the Reserve, owe the Chinese,

bail out you, bail out me,

come one, come all, handouts are “free”!

 

We’ll see who’ll hold the master key

come the year 20-16

and be the next

to blame the wreck

on the last jalopy

presidency.

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

For Imaginary Garden with Real Toads.  Michael (Grapeling) has provided a list of 10 words for us in which to craft a poem.  I used 5 of the 10 he offered.

Also for Poets United Midweek Motif:  The Key

and the Poetry Pantry

US Debt Clock:  17 Trillion and Counting

To a Poet, For a Poem

I listen to the darkness,

the beautiful kind

when the lights are off,

and I close my eyes

and see the last light

burned into my mind.

I sit, in my poetry nook,

in the corner of the room,

in a chair, arms leaning, at rest,

my feet propped.

I listen, listen,

ceiling fan low,

box fan high, pointed toward me

to carry the sound

of the silver crackle

of the millionth star

no less wonderful

than the first.

And it might be yours, the only light

in this dark room tonight.

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

For all you beautiful, amazing poets out there.  Thank you.

Poetry Pantry

ordinary summer nights

photo © 2014 jennifer wagner

we’ve been

thirsting for this all year—

summer,

when we cut the edges off

with soft flecks

of twilight

that stream

the warm air,

bespeckled with

sprinkler water

            d

     r

o

     p

p

     i

n

     g

to the carefree kiss

of bare toes

that splash and dash

with smiles—

for s’mores,

for watermelon,

for staying up late

but mostly

for each other,

to share

the extra-

ordinary

sparkle with

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

For Poetry Jam:  Thirst

tilt the semi-axis (in cinquain)

Glasshouse at Chihuly Garden and Glass – Seattle, WA

Photo © 2014 Jennifer Wagner

ice cold

lemonade—the

kind to make you pucker

the scent of fresh-mown grass, ahhh it’s

summer

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner

Just for fun for Poets U (Midweek Motif:  The Longest/Shortest Day, Solstice and Poetry Pantry).  Happy Summer!

Scrapbooks and Fireworks

Summer’s kisses past

are in my dresser—

caresses pressed

between pages

like petals.

A thousand moonlights

are in my closet,

and wished upon stars

s          p          r          i           n         k          l           e

s          p          a          r          k          l           e          s

in a box on the shelf.

But summer nights,

and moonlights,

and stars—

like night lilies,

like fireworks,

are best

in their living,

bursting

moment

like you,

here & now, owning

me

with more than just a memory.

© 2014 Jennifer Wagner