Thursday, December 31, 2015

Wishes


christmas eve 2015 © jennifer wagner

All the
best,

all the
brightest,

wishing you

all the
finest

for 2016.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Harold Angels


When I was six
my grandfather, Harold, died--
though I never called him “Grandfather”
and definitely never “Harold.”

Grampa” was a much more suitable term
for a brown cigarette smoking, Hee Haw watching,
take-your-teeth-out-and-sprinkle-black-pepper-
on-raw-hamburger-and-eat-it kind of guy.

So when I heard “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,”
I tried to picture it: all the Harold angels
up there,
singing,
angelic.

I loved him,
but if you'd have known Grampa
you'd have had your doubts, too.


© 2015 Jennifer Wagner

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

A Love Poem Should Be Spent


When you write a love poem
on the palm of your hand,
the kind that's meant to stick,

and blow it away
like a kiss,

if it returns
on wings, crispy-black,
falls like St. Helens' ash,

that's when you'll know
it worked.


© 2015 Jennifer Wagner

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

The Poem I Choose Today


In the wild wood
there are poems everywhere:

forest grouse, bright berries, late blossoms,
little sounds our feet make
on the undergrowth.

In the streets
there are poems, poems everywhere:

cigarette butts, Christmas lights, hurried voices,
the scent of roasted beans
wafting from coffee bars.

But here beside you,
tangled breaths
like drenching rain,

are more.


© 2015 Jennifer Wagner

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

How to Write a Poem




http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Poem-Collins-Introduction/dp/1943120129/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448303676&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+write+a+poem


Author Tania Runyan surprised me by requesting to include a poem of mine in her book How to Write a Poem.  This work is a companion volume to How to Read a Poem.  Both books are recommended for those new to or seasoned in the art of writing or the enjoyment of reading poetry.  Click on the book image above (or on the sidebar) to read more about this work and to order your copy from Amazon.


Thank you Tania and T.S. Poetry!


Happy Thanksgiving to all celebrating!  Enjoy your holiday!