John J. McKenna’s most recent poem to appear here was “Belfast” (July 2016)
Shenandoah
(dedicated to Stan Galloway, the students and volunteers of Bridgewater College, VA and all of the lights that shined at The Bridgewater International Poetry Festival, January 2017)
By John J. McKenna
Shenandoah
two hands
one feminine
one masculine
together
intertwined
cupping holding cradling
lifting
her whisper
and his
their whisper
and ours
her lament
and his
their lament
and our own
her song
and his song
their chorus
and we
her words
and his words
their words
and our words
Shenandoah
You gather and care
You nurture and nourish
You rise and celebrate
Your children
Your Sisters and Brothers
Their voices
Your Poets