Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Jack O' Lantern Soup




Dancing squirrels
have taken note
of the pre-Thanksgiving
feast—

as windblown leaves,
soggy,

like fresh strips
of paper-mâché,
are stuck to everything
in sight—across our lawn, the path to our door.

I wonder, what would they think
if I sprinkled some Sriracha
or pepper-apple chutney
on top

of the jack o’ lantern soup
sitting
on our front porch,
rainwater
filling up
to the smile?

I prefer mine
with sour cream
and a little kick:

a half sandwich,
toasted
with lots
of pepperoncinis.

Do you think
they would mind
sharing

if I brought
and topped

it
with roasted
pepitas

and a caramelized pecan
or two?

I bet Beatrix would know.



© 2014 Jennifer Wagner




Note: I made pumpkin soup for the first time last year.  Soo good. 

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Dear Misery,


I miss you.  I really do.
You were always there
ready to make merry,
happy as a shitfaced clown
on Saturday afternoon.

But back to niceties,
you played the fiddle
and I danced
to your tormented tune

like a
jilted wife
waiting for another truth.

Is that dancing?
Hell, yes.
You should see my shoes,
all tapped out, so to speak.

I love you.  Come back.
Though there’s nothing left here
for you except

a .22.



© 2014 Jennifer Wagner


My more sensitive readers may not appreciate my strong language in this one, and I hope I haven’t lost you, but sometimes, you have to get ugly when you’re fighting monstersthere’s beauty in it...

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Dirge


I suppose we never really
see a thing
until it’s done.

The scrutiny
of yesterday
through the 20/20
of backwashed tears.

But could we?
Could we
see it coming

before a bell rings out
our sons & daughters
died today?

Before we are
wearing red to remember.

Before they are
beautiful & lost
at fourteen forever.


© 2014 Jennifer Wagner



Of course many know about the tragedy at Marysville-Pilchuck High School on October 24.  We live about 30 minutes away and some of my family live in Marysville, so this hits really close to home.  My fourteen-year-old son’s football team wear MP stickers with 10.24.14 on their helmets and students have been wearing red and white (MP High School colors) in support for this grieving community.  So sad, so tragic, so young.  Prayers for them for healing and light