Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer · 1 Comment

The Substance of Pumpkins

by dim light
cast from
the stove top range
I wrestle with the brushes
from an eight year old’s
paint set
moving colored water
across paper
in 4am dark
quiet
I don’t want to wake anyone
just feel
the weight
of all things
pumpkin
still fresh
from the dream

armloads of thick-skinned
squashes
root vegetables
ten pound pumpkins
all set and sorted
to be plated in gold

a bracelet offered
that fit
half my forearm
rainbow moonstone
milky irridescence
squared
in rosy
copper banding

interpreters of dreams
suggest
the essence
holds the meaning

friends bestowing
substantial treasures

I’m the first one
in my house
this morning
awake
layering oranges and greens
in the corner of the kitchen
no reason

outlining
two dimensions
in gold

Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer

Time Zone

i wake from dreams
with great
inspiration
still early enough
to type
before
school
and the bus stop
drop off

pfft!

i thought the day was still sleeping!
but it pulls me
into text messages
and email communications
all before 5:30am

i’m on the run
before the sun
has risen
just trying
to clear a small space
for art and words
while glancing over my shoulder
at clock-time

hurry
(oh, not yet!)
that beeping alarm will sound
and then
there’ll be no more time
to describe
the dream

the Bohemian and I
planting seeds
in all the dry patches
for the softest grass
of thick green carpet
at our seaside
outdoor dwelling

where we were able to
stretch out
in that no-time zone

courtesy of heather0714
Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer

More Kitchen Inspiration

There is only one way to eat these mangos:  standing over the kitchen sink with the spigot ready.  You need a full facial rinse-off and hose down to the elbows after diving into this sticky sweet treat.  The tree in our yard has them falling off in our hands, and when this harvest is over (coming soon) we know that summer will be officially over.

Jessica Dofflemyer ~ all rights reserved

I keep hearing Johnny Mathis singing a Christmas song in my head as I stand in summer grass beneath a coconut palm.  It’s the

chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose

There’s no nipping here, just some perspiration in this tropical heat, along with the Bohemian and his diligent collection of Malabar Chestnuts.  I keep thinking this prolific tree is fairly useless with its bounty of nuts, but he insists they’re tasty and our gardening expert and friend, Mary, says they are, indeed, quite palatable when toasted.  A quick Wikipedia search teaches me this tree is often referred to as the “Money Tree.”  Hmmm…maybe the Bohemian is on to something.  If he’s a squirrel, we’ve got our winter stash.

Jessica Dofflemyer ~ all rights reserved

The green onion chives got a haircut yesterday and now all culinary dishes will be garnished in it.  I guess if our whole household is breathing onions, none of us will notice much.  As for the rest of the world, well, I’ll apologize in advance.  We’ve got to get through this harvest.  Can’t really go in small doses, green onions just don’t freeze well.

Jessica Dofflemyer ~ all rights reserved

And while we’re on the thread of inspiration, can I just include a picture of what I’ve come to selfishly term, “my door”? The “my” only inserted as some feeble attempt to connect myself with one of the most beautiful pieces of art (that is, in fact, functional) that I have ever seen.  I have held a love for doorways (and keys) for quite sometime.  This door from Bali was recently assembled by the Bohemian and a friend.  My camera could not capture the entire 19 foot wall of ornate woodwork that stands of either side of this entryway.  The craftsmanship has me awestruck.

I joke that if this could be my front door, my home could be a simple mat on the ground, and I’d be happy just to spend my days gazing upon the carvings of my entrance.

This door is so inviting!  It just begs of wonderment.  What’s on the other side?