Three Poems by Joan McNerney

Live oak boughs

Boughs build archways as tips
of trees touch each other. What
was shaded green becomes
nocturnal shadow. A
crescent moon hangs from
heaven. Light tracing
foliage falls dropping
dusty deep upon ground.

Secrets lie inside the
edged shadow. Animals
hide under darkness
resounding through night
as leaves rustle.
All changing except
this pattern of what
is now formed.

Eleventh Hour

Wrapped in darkness we can
no longer fool ourselves.
Our smiling masks float away.
We snake here, there
from one side to another.
How many times do we rip off
blankets only to claw more on?

Listening to zzzzzz of traffic,
mumble of freight trains, fog horns.
Listening to wheezing,
feeling muscles throb.
How can we find comfort?

Say same word over and over
again again falling falling to sleep.
I will stop measuring what was lost.
I will become brave.

Let slumber come covering me.
Let my mouth droop, fingers tingle.
Wishing something cool…soft…sweet.
Now I will curl like a fetus
gathering warmth into myself
hoping to awake new born.

Falling Asleep

Curling into a question mark
                  eyes shuttered
                           lips pursed
                                  hands empty.

Dropping through
long dusty shafts
down into dank cellars.
Leaving behind faded day.

That last cup of sunlight
pouring from fingertips.
Lulled by rattling trains,
                              sighs of motors.

Bringing nothing but
memory into night.
Now I will    untie knots
                      tear off wrappings
opening wide bundles of dreams.

Joan McNerney’s poetry has been included in numerous literary magazines such as Seven Circle Press, Dinner with the Muse, Camel Saloon Books on Blog, Blueline, Vine Leaves, Spectrum, and three Bright Spring Press Anthologies. She has been nominated three times for Best of the Net. Four of her books have been published by fine literary presses. She has recited her work at the National Arts Club, New York City, State University of New York, Oneonta, McNay Art Institute, San Antonio and other distinguished venues. A recent reading was sponsored by the American Academy of Poetry. Her latest title is Having Lunch with the Sky, A.P.D. Press, Albany, New York.