Yeah,
that’s right, it’s Pick-on-a-Month week. Who’s betting the warmer
months are more lovingly rendered than the cold dark months we trudge
through now? In answer to CW Sander’s upbraiding of January, we have
the incomparable Jean Hendrickson lacerating February. No defense shall
be mounted from Jersey, readers. Jean has graced our pages with
stunning poetry (Escape; Older, Wiser; Armageddon 9/11; New Kid; Death; Community). Here she stuns again. Good luck February. You don’t have a prayer.
Oh February
By Jean M. Hendrickson
You worn hag, wizened
and colder than stygian waters,
what man would look upon
your pallid visage,
what lust inspired
by your unkempt mien, your pinched soul,
each breath a fetid cloud
of twice-breathed air?
Rather than join a roundelay,
you fairly skittle the scabrous floor
like spiders in a web,
howsomever, without their grace or beauty.
Oh, February,
gather up crusts of moldy bread
from some musty corner
and keep thee from the gentler folk.
love that last stanza!
Thank you so much, Jessie Carty!
I have never liked February. You have painted her old barn with a glaring light. Great work.
Great imagery, Jean!
This poem won me over immediately with those first three words. It’s a poem I WISH I’d written. Jealousy = the highest praise from me. 🙂
Thanks so much Bryan! I love your comment.
Bobbie, Thank you! Jean!
Jean, this is such a vivid poem. I loved the flow, and the last sentence
topped off perfection.
Jean, every time the February wind cuts into my skin, I see your “old wizened hag”–beautifully crafted,as are all your poems.
Sharon