Friday, April 10, 2020

(easter) it's about a king


it’s about a king
who came to serve us

to establish his kingdom
here on earth

a king who washed feet,
healed lepers, healed hearts

he died
for this: to bring love,

joy, peace, patience,
kindness

goodness, faithfulness
gentleness

self-control
a kingdom not of this world

from starry night
to stone rolled away

the day
he came

to seek and to save


© 2020 jennifer wagner


The hope of Easter to me is this:  He loves us, though the world under our stewardship is in turmoil.  God has a plan: His love poured out in our hearts.  His ultimate will will succeed.  If you are in doubt, take heart.  He loves you, and it’s you He doesn’t want to live without.




Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Florence


By the window,
lapping up the sun,
I read Rossetti’s, “The First Spring Day,”
and leaned my head against the pane

as if to become one
with blush blossoms
sprouting from the tree
and our neighbor’s sign
in bright yellow, pink and green:  hello spring.

Spring:  Florence Nightingale’s
cool kiss on the fevered brow of humanity.
Oh blow, swing your lamp—
your breath, meadowsweet,
your step, light, in our cimmerian war.


© 2020 Jennifer Wagner


dverse poetics:  in the time of the plague

Hope you all are well.  ~Love, Jen

The First Spring Day” by Christina Rossetti

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

embrace


to forgive you
i had to go back,
bitterness falling like leaves

picking up stones,
gathering them
by the basketful—

my skin, arms, and back
riven and bloodied
with the buckling load

i’d intended to throw
with my calloused
and burning hands

but the sun on the leaves
that day in october
was so glorious,

and i felt so rich,
knew i was so rich, that
i laid the basket down

at your feet and
stretched out
my arms

bitterness falling, gently,
like leaves



© 2019 jennifer wagner