by CONNEMARA WADSWORTH
The two obedient Guernseys
and the bull-headed Jersey
saunter back from milking,
udders swinging empty
as they pass the meadow
to the lower pasture
in this the time after
the fat of summer,
and they are downwind
from the apple trees.
The Jersey breaks away,
the rest follow,
plant themselves on
the perfumed carpet
of fermenting drops,
ignore angry bees
as eager and sated
as they. No amount
of bullying can move
the hulks trampling
willy-nilly on their feast,
they shaking their heads,
pushing us back. They will
have their fill
before they swagger
down the road, happy
drunks licking bits
of sweet apple off wet lips.
From Issue 5
CONNEMARA WADSWORTH’s chapbook, The Possibility of Scorpions, about the years her family lived in Iraq in the early 50’s, won the White Eagle Coffee Store Press 2009 Chapbook Contest. Her poems are forthcoming or appeared in Prairie Schooner, Solstice, San Pedro River Review, Smoky Blue Literary & Arts Magazine, and Valparaiso. “The Women” was nominated for publication in Pushcart Prize Best of the Small Presses by Bloodroot Magazine. Connemara and her husband live in Newton, Massachusetts.
really enjoyed the poetry!
Juicy and rich language!