Obscurity

red
slides across my tongue
glass cold against my trembling lips
quiets spirit tormentors

one more sip
frantic, raging souls
sing, dance
there is no peace

another glass of red
reckless, wicked demons
play the blues
world is well

--Bonnie Pignatiello Leer

past journeys

fog shrouds sharp edges
creeps over corn fields
hides the road
white lines
world wiped out

fog betrays
yesterday's images today's truth
lingering melody

voice in the back seat
not really there
disappointment etched in the window

a waking dream

@bonnie pignatiello leer

scrape off the dirt

pulled from dirt
onions
from the last trace
of my garden

mud covered
cold and unsightly
but fresh pungent smell
as if the sun still
governed day

I held the onion
tried to scrape off dirt
then the first slimy layer
uncover beauty
underneath

knife in other hand
to slice off roots
that had grown long
burrowed deep
into sun warmed soil
and final remains
of the stem that basked in sun
all summer

dirt gets stuck
under my finger nails
as I peel away layers
find snow white perfection

@bonnie pignatiello leer

Eternally Yours

Check out my little book of poetry. It's about being a mom, dealing with life and living in a community where there's more farms than any building higher than two stories.

Eternally Yours

Parrots - Brookfield Zoo

Just got word that a picture I took last summer at Brookfield Zoo might be selected for a Schmapp guide to Chicago. (click for a full view of the photo.)



Not sure whether the photo will actually be selected. But it's nice to be considered. [update: my photo was selected for the guide. Go download Schmapp Chicago and look for the parrots from Brookfield Zoo. BPL]

Sermon

he speaks to you through
your restless heart

my son crawls into
my lap
our foreheads touch
grin on his face

he calls you to take risks
try something new
step out
face the world

my son drags his toy car
through my hair
across my chest

there will be a moment
you will know
the right thing
to do

hallelujah notes start
my son hums with me
while i sing

he will call you
you only have to open
your heart
listen

my son grabs at my face
he laughs
i quietly try to dodge him
he smiles
kisses my cheek
“i love you, mommy.”
i love you too.

amen

@bonnie pignatiello leer
(Published in Juice 2007)

January

wine
red in glass
tilted towards my lips
silk
edged with small bubbles
passes over my tongue
bites slightly
down my throat

one more drink
and then another
bite
disappears
glass empties
wine warm
in my stomach

another glass
one more
bottle disappears
no one notices
but me

soon
i also disappear
descend into wine
red with passion
empty bottle
empty glass
and i am
invisible

@bonnie pignatiello leer
(Published in Juice 2007)