The Sweet Herbs

I don’t mind sharing the air with you,
Eyebright,
Or with you,
Feverfew.
So I’ll just rest in the Coxcomb here,
Like the lilies and mandrakes do,
Until the Ladybugs whisper
That it is safe to go home.
Then I’ll breathe a breath or two,
And then, I’ll surely go.

-jenn long

Every Pocket Has A Silver Lining

I have a silver-lined pocket.

It’s tiny—

Just my size.

But it can heal any sickness,

Rectify any malfease.

Come and put one finger in.

See what you can find

To heal you whole,

And fix your soul,

And make you smile again.

-jenn long

Belly Flop

Even my olfactory sensors

Like to play tricks on me.

For I could swear I smell you,

Though I can plainly see

That you are nowhere near.

And yet the pheromones swim inside my head.

I climb the high dive, anyway,

To see if you’ll notice me,

And when I reach the top,

I see you, right there,

On the life guard chair.

I pause for just a moment,

Feeling like a swan.

Though usually I belly bust,

I breathe deep and take the plunge.

And now I’m going under,

All the way,

Ten feet deep.

I see the other swimmers

From their necks down,

Kicking their legs and feet.

And now I’m coming up for air,

And push up beside you and plop

Down and bask beside you,

Unabashed,

Belly still red

From my belly flop.

-jenn long

Hiding Becomes Her

I was hiding under the table

When you came

And made love to me.

Then we lay together there

And looked up

At the graffiti underneath.

We took turns reading

The vulgate wisdom tucked away.

We cried at the beauty

And the truth

Until we laughed again.

And then we stayed

In each other’s arms

And, My Love,

You loved me so,

Until the day became the night,

And night became the day,

And I became myself,

And now, even hiding becomes me.

-jenn long

The Games People Play

I’d like to know the name

Of the game you play,

And, maybe just a few of the rules.

I won’t commit too many to memory.

I’ve a strange inclination

You change them.

I see the chalk lines drawn out here,

But don’t know if I’m in bounds or out.

And now I hear the referee’s whistle,

But don’t know what that’s about.

I have a strong urge

To ask someone for time,

But is this the beginning

Or the end of the game?

Maybe I’ll try one long shot at the buzzer.

If I make it,

Everyone cheers.

If I don’t,

I’ll disappear into the locker room

And flush myself down the toilet

Again……

-jenn long

Well, Will Ya?

Will you love me

If I never ‘mount ta much

In this ole world?

Will ya love me

If I never find myself,

Or what I’m looking for?

Will ya love me

In the mornin’?

Will ya love me

In the day?

Will you love me

When the evenin’ comes

To steal your heart away?

Will ya love me

When I’m grumpy?

Will ya love me

When I’m blue?

Will ya love me

When I embarrass myself,

Or, when I embarrass you?

Will ya love me

When I’m silly,

Or when, occasionally, I’m true?

Will you love me

When I’m so intent,

And all I want is you?

Well, will  ya…….?

-jenn long

WordGames

Do you like me putting words into your mouth?

I could put some other things in there.

But I don’t want to stuff you full

Of anything you might not want,

And so,

I’ll just keep up both ends of this conversation

In my mind, until

I hear from you, and know

What it is that you would really say,

And what it is that you might really do,

And I am sure that I will be surprised,

For I don’t think I know you well at all,

But I sure think I’d like to.

-jenn long