this odd poetry of my soul
more madness of heart than verse.
perhaps my thoughts of you should be reigned in
meet me in the boathouse for tea, lemony with ginger
afterwards I will lay my head on the soft down of your belly
dragonfly flutters on winters lake
buddha bird sits high in trees watching the moon shed tears
om shanti om
Copyright © 2020 Jennifer Brookins
I can never forget you in early morning when I watch blades of grass shake their fingers at a ground hog who stepped too hard on their back-side, or the old man in the supermarket who bent his arthritic back to pick up a tomato rolling down the aisle. You are everywhere yet remain hidden. Your silence is deafening yet no music compares to your fiddle.
Copyright © 2020 Jennifer Brookins
What happened to old friend Raggedy Ann, my journals filled with poetry – helter-skelter meanderings written walking along river’s edge when life seemed too hopeless to go on. But on this wondrous autumn day, leaves the color of ripe pimento fall breathlessly in every corner of my garden … yesterdays heartaches replaced with sonnets.
© 2020 Jennifer Brookins
It doesn’t take much to be happy: a morning walk before the world wakes up, giant oaks singing to each another … poetry written on their bark, birds warble morning halleluiahs without peering into the morrow; infinitesimal grains of sand divinity-saturated. How can I not be happy when you gift so much?
© 2020 Jennifer Brookins
colors of peach sorbet cover the ocean while albatross sits on masthead. Dearest heart, what compass leads him safely to shore?
© 2020 Jennifer Brookins
both paths I’ve traveled in this world
one, dark and lonely
the other light and without wanting
a loving heart is a wondrous bedfellow
in times like this
© 2020 Jennifer Brookins
Who is the God of the Thrush?
Who do you turn to little bird ….look up
© 2020 Jennifer Brookins
Time suspended itself by yielding to a forbidden wedding. Moon drew water from dark clouds to quench her thirst. Sun so burnt the edges of her heart, they no longer existed as Sun and Moon or anything the galaxies had ever before witnessed. As they lay under heaven’s canopy, she whispered in his ear, “Close your eyes, I’ve a treat for you.” She placed one snow cone within the innermost core of his heart to quench his desire during the midday heat. He was much pleased with such a remembrance, and replied,“Now close your eyes, I’ve a wedding gift for you too.” After a few moments, he said, “Open them,” for he had carved a blood red talisman upon her heart, the inside of which slow-burned the fire of his longing. She smiled at his thoughtfulness. Throughout this night, changeling stars gave birth to fill the unspeakable void when once again, Sun would vanish into dawn.
© 2020 Jennifer Brookins
I miss the giant scrubs, the ones who love-swayed in the midnight hour as though our back yard was a ball room for waltzing oaks. In my darkest hour, you gave refuge to my soul while I sat under your merciful bough and wept in my never-ending fruitless search for the me of myself. I felt your laughter when I lamented, “You and I are so alike; both of us look better with clothes on.” Come quickly spring.
© 2020 Jennifer Brookins
let us cuddle until dawn
that delicious rhubarb loving mama
showers her hungry grace upon this beautiful land
we will sit like two fat women eating popcorn in a hammock
no need for secrets I already know yours but I will tell you mine with a wink, tarry not daybreak nears
© Jennifer Brookins