June 2021
Bio Note: I am a longtime editor, slowly publishing poet, and author of six picture books, including From Apple Trees to Cider, Please! (Albert Whitman). In 2018 I moved away from the masthead of an academic quarterly to work with people who want to share their stories, ideas, and poems in print. It’s been a joy—and quite an adventure. My short fiction has been nominated for a 2021 Pushcart and Best Microfiction.
Mint
Throughout the mild communion month of May
the humble violet reigns, but bossy mint
is a pushy herb that spreads and overwhelms
the garden plot in June. What overwhelms,
though green, must be contained—and yet it may
mean jelly for the roasted lamb, mint
muddled in a julep cup, strong mint
tisane to clear and calm what overwhelms.
A scented sprig behind the ear that may
uplift, rampage, and soothe? Mint overwhelms!
Rock Paper Scissors
Even fading daffodils hold joy.
It warms in waves. A yellow crayon sun
to shine on clouds, the house, a dog, his boy—
even fading daffodils hold joy.
As origami butterflies enjoy
the orange of their wings until they’re gone,
even fading daffodils hold joy.
It warms in waves. A yellow crayon sun.
What I’ve Learned
Sometimes a poem
is the petal
that unfurls beneath
a shower of hail.
©2021 Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
Editor's Note: If this poem(s) moves you please consider writing to the
author (email address above) to tell her or him. You might say what it is about the poem that moves you. Writing to the author is what builds the community at Verse Virtual.
It is very important. -JL