Archive | May 2015
May 22, 2015  

SPRING ANGST

C’mon, God… this stinks

it won’t stop raining
the sky is grey
the air is chill

Yeah, yeah, I get it… You’re right

the garden grows
pumpkin sprouts push their way to the surface
sunflower seeds split and stretch
roses flower on the hill
and poppies, thick with swelling buds
promise blooms on Memorial Day

*** *** ***
“Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest.” –Douglas William Jerrold

May 16, 2015  

HINT

Once the decision is made,
It’s best to just get on with it.
The more you second guess,
The more your stomach aches.
The more your stomach aches,
The more you gripe and grumble.
The more you gripe and grumble,
The more your friends retreat.
The more your friends retreat,
The more you are left alone.
The more you are left alone,
The more you find yourself wondering.
The more you find yourself wondering,
The more choices you are presented.
The more choices you are presented,
The more you must decide.
The more you must decide,
The better it is to move quickly.
And once the decision is made,
It’s best to just get on with it.

rJo Herman 5/16/15

May 9, 2015  

EXIT STAGE ONE

Two years ago today
I lost my ample breasts.
Physical recovery progresses with bells.
I recommend – insist upon! – naps.
Head games are more the trial;
tears, fears, gnashing of teeth,
not to mention outbursts of rage,
utter disdain for weakness, stupidity.
Yet, despite my greatest efforts,
even my head heals
and bears its scars with equal tintinnabulation.

rJo Herman  5/9/15

May 9, 2015  

ON THE NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF HER DEATH

(and how very much I miss her)

we were three
my sisters and me
until our Ruth was gone
then as with Dad
the life we had
shattered

rJo Herman   5/9/15

May 3, 2015  

INVENTORY.4 Perennials

Peony sprouts are knee high, leafing out
Species geraniums full and budding
Tulip blooms are spent
Coreopsis crowd the grey green yarrow
Daylilies litter the back hill and fill the front garden
Asian lilies push skyward
Purple grape hyacinths match the purple vinca
Purple vinca choke out the white blooming strawberries
and just now a rabbit nibbles on fresh daisy leaves
and the bearded irises race the Siberian irises for first place.
Chives around the roses have not yet gone to seed,
And, of course, dandelions crop up everywhere,
unwelcomed and promptly ripped up, just to laugh from another spot.

and the poppies promise blooms for Memorial Day like those in Flanders fields.

5/1/15
rJo Herman