by John Howard
The turning
when it comes
slowly
and with road work and
roofing
double-take check
for minute
beginnings of light green
leaves
there on the lilacs
the initiation
of illusion
born from
the little that Winter renders
from the fat of the year
Spring can really…
hunkered down
in its steady, cold, early rains
you want what
you want
a
broken tulip stem
bitten
by three frosts
since emergence
can send you
into
fathoms
of doom
not felt since
first slush
Ember
The maple black
in the early morning
holds no animals
or variegated thatch,
stands on its firm
hips and shoulders
stoic and steady bones
gazing over the fences.
You have to believe
in the life that can emerge
before you feel
Spring rains,
or sense the itch of germination.
the way the sun rises
around houses: lighting
the uppermost canopy an orange glow
this first of January,
a pleasant illusion
In April, when an ember glows,
spreads and falters
before it rips through and full on
flowers, we give it a scientific name.
Before the joy, the breathing and the words,
are the bones; the long cold nights
of absence, the shadowy glimmer
and pluck – dust speck to dahlia
and rose arranged on the table.
From the author
On ‘The turning’:
“I had listened to the jazz standard Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most and was reflecting on how we deal with change that is often non-linear and uncertain.”
On ‘Ember’:
“I wrote this poem back in January, then edited in April. It struck me how what we create–even the creation that is us–depends to some degree on things that are dead or dormant, how our lives are intertwined with the non-living. Then, a rare angle and good timing one day in January made a maple out our back windows appear as in full late-October orange bloom.”
John Howard grew up on the coast of Maine. He studied English Literature at Skidmore College and has published poetry in Folio, The Somerville Times, and Poetry Nation. John currently lives in Melrose, MA with his wife and sprightly seven-year-old daughter who loves attending classes with Nicole at Follow Your Art Community Studios. John has also participated in Creative Writing Sessions at FYACS–learn more about writing with us on our Writers Studio page.
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