I) Autumn Notes
1.
Four sparkling maples
sashay in autumn winds.
dressed in yellow lace.
Half moon hiding in old
oak tree on top of hillside.
Children kicking up leaves
shouting while jumping
over mounds of foliage.
2.
Bright leaves gleaming
in sunshine tumbling
through an Alice blue sky.
Carpets of red yellow brown
foliage unfurls before us.
Walking through trails of trees
becoming spellbound by
leafy giants towering over us.
3.
Morning light reveals
silhouettes of branches
against a dove grey sky.
Grab your coat and scarf.
Where are your gloves and hat?
Hurry, pick gardens of bright
vegetables. Time to cook
big pots of soup, yeasty breads.
4.
Dancing in joyous circles
ragtag russet leaves glow
under the noon day sun.
See them spin rustle-bustle
within a ring of singsong.
Listen to their shuffle
saying they will return soon
dressed in bright green.
II) Imagine
Imagine to be a bird
slicing air with wings.
Up up over that horizon
soaring through clouds
away from solemn earth.
Shining, shimmering
far above this sphere
into clear blue light.
Cutting through sky
gliding over oceans
eyes open all seeing.
Awake all day all night
brushing rushing
against the four winds.
Imagine to be a bird.
III) Thrift Shop
I descend clutching a
teetering banister to the
bowels of this holy place.
A sign welcomes me to
St. Mary’s Basement Boutique
where scent of unloved
clothing assaults me.
I finger grubby blouses
and skirts hanging limp
week after week unwanted.
Where is it? Hidden beneath
mounds of faded tee shirts?
Where is that swag I will
brag on for months?
At last I uncover something
beyond belief….a mohair sweater
snow white with pastel flowers.
A good fit, my prayer answered.
Retired ladies glance up.
They are volunteers filling
another empty afternoon.
The cashier consults her price list.
“One dollar” she says as I reply with
quick “thanks” fleeing blissfully.
When I get home, my bonanza
is baptized in cool water and suds
now reborn, lustrous and all mine.
About Joan McNerney
Joan McNerney’s poetry is found in many literary magazines such as Seven Circle Press, Dinner with the Muse, Poet Warriors, Blueline, and Halcyon Days. Four Bright Hills Press Anthologies, several Poppy Road Review Journals, and numerous Spectrum Publications have accepted her work. Her latest title, The Muse In Miniature, is available on Amazon.com and Cyberwit.net. She has four Best of the Net nominations.