* * *
—Poetry by Ann Wehrman, Sacramento, CA
—Photos by Chris Feldman and vienaphi
GRATITUDE
damp flushed skin
late August morning
over coffee, work in the kitchen
pare claret, fragrant strawberries
clean the stovetop’s metal burner plates
take my cup to my desk
sit, page open
mind empty, arms empty
heart waits, breath steady
no words come
no words needed
damp flushed skin
late August morning
over coffee, work in the kitchen
pare claret, fragrant strawberries
clean the stovetop’s metal burner plates
take my cup to my desk
sit, page open
mind empty, arms empty
heart waits, breath steady
no words come
no words needed
In the Library
—Photo by Chris Feldman
—Photo by Chris Feldman
UPON TURNING SEVENTY
like a maiden inside, it’s not just a myth
never married, childless
I feel more, care more
am better than at twenty-one
still long for true love, believe in miracles
treasure memories like a used bookstore
cookbooks, juicy novels, metaphysics
bound volumes of faded, yellowed Polaroids
baby book with a wisp of hair, black as an Irish lover’s—
a tiny footprint
Monongahela Autumn
—Photo by Chris Feldman
—Photo by Chris Feldman
INEVITABLE
clouds fly by on mid-September breeze
I turned seventy a few months ago
scoffed at it, Just a number!
glad to be alive, still strong, whole
though it still feels like summer
I can’t deny the seasons’ change—
summer’s bright heat to cooler days, nights
trees’ emerald leaves turn brown, wither
child of the Earth, I see myself slow
accept it with grace, regret
Shadow Eclipse
—Photo by Chris Feldman
—Photo by Chris Feldman
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
is it wrong that I slept until noon today
unable to face going to bed, I
work late, watch TV all night
Band-Aids on a wound that won’t heal
my heart, after all these years
in my mind
step through space
a low-lit room
wide, clean bed
filmy drapes billow gently
window open to the cool sea breeze
we make love, join our spirits
more than touch—
know each other, welcome, cherish
after decades alone, likely to die alone
I still crave that deep connection
At the Window
—Photo by Chris Feldman
—Photo by Chris Feldman
SPIRIT OF LOVE
when I am ninety
will I still envision you, beloved
sensitive, unyielding
your tender voice
my love deeper than flesh
than this weathered body’s changes
a teenager when I first loved you
both our bodies slowing
treasure each year
welcome what comes next
Cloud Window
—Photo by Chris Feldman
—Photo by Chris Feldman
Today’s LittleNip:
sunrise
—Ann Wehrman
minds buzz at the edge of awareness
5D—not a digital experience, not AI
humans take a chance on each other
doors open in our minds
human family begins to wake up
____________________
—Medusa, with our thanks to Ann Wehrman and Chris Feldman for today’s fine-as-always collaboration!
And my apologies to Richard LeDue, the author of yesterday's poems—I mistakenly credited Victor Kennedy for them... Argh.... 😖
—Photo Courtesy of Public Domain
A reminder that
Voices of Lincoln contest winners
will read in Lincoln today at 3pm;
today is the deadline for
Winters Lit Fest 4 submissions;
and Sacramento Poetry Week
kicks off tonight with
poetry and The LabRats at
The Torch Club in Sac., 8pm.
For info about these and other
future poetry happenings in
Northern California and otherwheres,
click on
UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS
(http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/p/wtf.html)
in the links at the top of this page—
and keep an eye on this link and on
the daily Kitchen for happenings
that might pop up
—or get changed!—
during the week.
Photos in this column can be enlarged by
clicking on them once, then clicking on the x
in the top right corner to come back to Medusa.
Find previous four-or-so posts by scrolling down
under today; or there's an "Older Posts" button
at the bottom of this column; or find previous poets
by typing the name of the poet or poem
into the little beige box at the top
left-hand side of today’s post; or go to
Medusa’s Rapsheet at the bottom of
the blue column at the right
to find the date you want.
Would you like to be a SnakePal?
Guidelines are at the top of this page
at the Placating the Gorgon link;
send poetry and/or photos and artwork
to kathykieth@hotmail.com. We post
work from all over the world—including
that which was previously published—
and collaborations are welcome.
Just remember:
the snakes of Medusa are always hungry—
for poetry, of course!
Voices of Lincoln contest winners
will read in Lincoln today at 3pm;
today is the deadline for
Winters Lit Fest 4 submissions;
and Sacramento Poetry Week
kicks off tonight with
poetry and The LabRats at
The Torch Club in Sac., 8pm.
For info about these and other
future poetry happenings in
Northern California and otherwheres,
click on
UPCOMING NORCAL EVENTS
(http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/p/wtf.html)
in the links at the top of this page—
and keep an eye on this link and on
the daily Kitchen for happenings
that might pop up
—or get changed!—
during the week.
Photos in this column can be enlarged by
clicking on them once, then clicking on the x
in the top right corner to come back to Medusa.
Find previous four-or-so posts by scrolling down
under today; or there's an "Older Posts" button
at the bottom of this column; or find previous poets
by typing the name of the poet or poem
into the little beige box at the top
left-hand side of today’s post; or go to
Medusa’s Rapsheet at the bottom of
the blue column at the right
to find the date you want.
Would you like to be a SnakePal?
Guidelines are at the top of this page
at the Placating the Gorgon link;
send poetry and/or photos and artwork
to kathykieth@hotmail.com. We post
work from all over the world—including
that which was previously published—
and collaborations are welcome.
Just remember:
the snakes of Medusa are always hungry—
for poetry, of course!
