I am holding up the world, still
from a hospital bed
with tubes connected to a wall
I cannot move.
Even here,
the hard work of caretaking
caretakers and my self
all the while admiring
the strong muscles
I have sculpted to do this job,
wondering if I might find
a softer way.
Poem ©2025, Jen Payne. If you like this poem, you’ll love my new book SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS, on sale now!
A bird in the privet
suddenly sings
and without evidence of prey
I can only surmise
that she is dreaming.
It’s a morning for dreaming,
crisp-cold and clear,
the moon and Jupiter still dance
while constellations shimmer
to the rhythm
and she is singing in her sleep,
a sweet but startled sound
as if she feels our spinning,
senses the sun’s fast approach
wishes for one more hour
of peace before the day begins.
Poem ©2025, Jen Payne. Photo by Min An. If you like this poem, you’ll love my new book SLEEPING WITH GHOSTS, on sale now!
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