Re-Making the Morning

 

Bluebonnets 04

—Photo by Chris Feldman

—Poetry by Ann Wehrman, Sacramento, CA

—Photos by Chris Feldman and Ann Wehrman

I DRY MY HAIR OUTSIDE IN THE SUN

I dry my hair outside in the sun
where warm morning breeze intoxicates
scents of new grass, wild chamomile
later, charcoal braziers grilling
burgers and steaks tantalize

I dried my hair outside
as a girl in Illinois
summer days capped by
Dad demonstrating manly cooking skills
on a beast from
a package from Food Center
I can still smell the humidity
feel the skeeters bite
black soil, Cahokia burial mounds

California spring brings
wistful memories
my days seem ever shorter
my hair, each year whiter
yet it still dances as it dries
in the breeze, fragrant
with spring’s warm sun, cold loam
first violets, amethyst, ivory 

 

 

 

Mother Magnolia
—Photo by Ann Wehrman

 

 

MOTHER MAGNOLIA

local bank and trust fills the corner lot
wide walks, patrician columns
second-floor offices
opening onto a roundabout balcony with chairs
in which bank executives smoke, take coffee, chat with colleagues

sun-dappled lot carefully tended
seasonal flowers, bushes, mature trees
squirrels chase each other through the branches
play on the balcony and bank’s roof
songbirds flutter through the trees
shaded corner restful, pleasant
despite the busy street at its feet
rushing cars-trucks-motorcycles, multiple lanes, noxious exhaust

early Sunday mornings, on my way to teach yoga
I wait there fifteen minutes or longer for the bus
bench, sticky from spills
provides a banquet for biting ants
so I stand at the edge of the sidewalk
sheltered by a giant southern magnolia

this morning as I stood there
movement caught my eye—
bees dipping in and out
of giant white pillows amid
the magnolia’s glossy deep green leaves
one, then another of the snowy magnolia flowers
revealed themselves, tucked into branches’ curves

pure, faint, yet heady sweetness
remade the morning
jeweled fragrance
spring’s heart-wrenching magic
persists alongside humans’ noxious grind 

 

 

 

After the Rain
—Photo by Chris Feldman

 

 

LOVE WILL TRIUMPH
(After Dan Simmons’ The Hyperion Cantos Series)

deep within my cells
fire of eternal spring banked
my aging body persists

I dream of hearts intertwined
two trees with a single base
eyes glow, spirits blend

through industrial concrete, war’s melted slag
beyond time that has no meaning
beyond this frame, this world, if must be

green leaves will sprout, vigorous
water will trickle, clear, cold
love will live freely, forever 

 

 

 

AmericanRiverBridge 1

—Photo by Chris Feldman

 

 

Today’s LittleNip:

PERSPECTIVE
—Ann Wehrman

laundry piled up, dirty bathroom
I stand naked, trembling with desire
weakened by embarrassment

you can see every flaw
yet your arms gather me
wide, warm heart makes light of it
your love feels like
fragrant spring grass, lilacs 

 

 

 

AmericanRiverBridge 2

—Photo by Chris Feldman

 

___________________

Our thanks to Ann Werhman and Chris Feldman for their collaboration today! Lots of good stuff here . .
 

Tonight, 7:30pm, Sacramento Poetry Alliance presents Sue Daly and Lara Gularte, plus open mic, at 1169 Perkins Way, Sacramento. Host: Tim Kahl. Please bring a mask if you are not vaccinated. Info: www.facebook.com/events/494883881573699/.

___________________

—Medusa

 

 

 

“Squirrels chase each other through the branches”
—Public Domain Photo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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“fragrant spring grass, lilacs”