Poetry of Joan McNerney: Bright pink begonias..., For a Friend Who Is Dying, Tonight

Three Poems

by Joan McNerney

Bright pink begonias…

while bees glide and lovers stroll
through the plaza this afternoon,
clouds stretch past the horizon as
a young man calls from his cart
"fresh juice, fresh juice".
The air fills with oranges,
guitars strum love songs and
children skip across sidewalks.
You kiss kiss my lips again
again always begonias begonias
growing bigger every minute bright
pink begonias begonias everywhere.

For a Friend Who Is Dying

Even though oceans
have been charted
mountaintops marked
there are no words
for your pain.

All the stratosphere
of heaven climbed yet
there is no course
through human sorrow.

Every muscle counted
and every bone but
no formula was written
for your grief.

In languages of
languages chromosomes
numbered named. What
can be said to your
sorrow, your pain?

Tonight

Chimes tap against our
windowpane. This evening
becomes starry sapphire
as sea gulls rise in
flight over rooftops.
Winds wrapping around
trees tossing leaves.

The court yard is full of
aromas from dinnertime.
Shadows growing longer
each minute. Lights go
on and I wait for you.

Copyright 2010, Joan McNerney. © This work is protected under the U.S. copyright laws. It may not be reproduced, reprinted, reused, or altered without the expressed written permission of the author.

Joan McNerney’s poetry has been included in numerous literary magazines such as Boston Review of the Arts, Kalliope, Mudfish, Spectrum and Word Thursdays. Four of her books have been published by fine literary presses. She has performed at the National Arts Club, State University of New York, Oneonta, McNay Art Institute and other distinguished venues. A recent reading was sponsored by the American Academy of Poetry. Her latest title is Having Lunch with the Sky, A.P.D. Press, Albany, New York.