Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer

Yes Lives in the Water

step out into the night to bathe
full clouds, dark sky
slip in to my chin
hot water and the Big Dipper
celestial bodies shine behind cumulus
present but unseen

i’ll let the ladle dip into the Inner Pool
stir and spoon
lift and pour
what springs forth within?

a cloud opens above
millions of droplets
falling flat
bouncing on broad-leafed bananas

my peaked crown is christened
soft promises drizzling every pore
one hundred million possibilities
assured

my human heart beats in raindrop time
meeting, greeting
ecstatic
essence
pouring down

the steam and precipitation
moving clouds
hinting starlight
dripping plant life
my sprinkled face
wet silence
life and rain
the water

all says yes

 

photo Jessica Dofflemyer - all rights reserved

 

 

Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer · 2 Comments

My Wardrobe Portal

In the haven of the utility closet, I close the door to the world and soften in the quiet of enclosed space, buffered from sound.  Womb-like and snug, walls are lined with ordered shelves, housing clothing, bedsheets and towels.  The hum of the clothes dryer, like a mother’s heartbeat, warms this nook and brings fresh laundry to my hands.

Alone here, I can fold denim and stack it neatly within my reach.  Maintain order, sort terry cloth from jersey.  I’ll arrange long sleeves, button downs and camisoles by groupings on the hanger.  Line Mason jars filled with sea glass and foreign coins next to the afghan.

If grown-ups have a time out place, then this is mine.  I take my pauses with fluffy balls of lint and liquid detergent.  Spin clean with the whirling cold-water rinse. Wander to inner spaces as I replenish hand towels on the shelf.

Inevitably, there’s an outing – the world calls.  But for me, there’s life in the closet.

Posted on by Jessica Dofflemyer

Spring Step

red toenails emerge
from autumn’s isolation
springtime polish
sashays down the grocery aisles
protein bars and licorice
standing
in abundant choices

later they will tiptoe along the supermoonlit river
where arches find their way into the hands
of the blue-eyed surfer
he gives with hopeful freedom
knowing touch heals

feet will receive
the fingers stretching toes
under silky raven totems
open hands and arms
shy inviting smiles
these feet could slip beneath bedsheets
no need to drive themselves home

points of the sole
connect every organ
the mind is Switzerland
seeking neutral ground
and the heart pumps to the rhythm
of its own king-sized bed
midnight poetry
thick paper
and pencil lead

red toenails point to home
moving carefully down late night stairs
press to the accelerator
pass through the threshold of their own

It’s 12:37am
a green velvet ottoman
still house
late night winds and starlight
alone
with words and dreams
abundant choices