Author Archives: janishaag

toward spring even aswinter still whooshes through us,shakes us like a wet dogpelting us with spiky drops. Turningthe heart toward mystery,toward the divine,as we walk into whatwe cannot see, as we turnrounding this sharp corner,then that one,the winding path unclearbut, … Continue reading →

But how pretty, like a peonyblasted open with a starry center,WR124 surrounded by watercolor gases that signify its approachingend, before it undergoes a turbulenttransformation, before it supernovas into glowing cosmic dust. It’s sheddingits outer layers now, a molting star,petals loosening … Continue reading →

for Cliff Look at them:all that rainbow-y nylon drippinglike bridal veils—one whose facewears a happy rainbow overwhite clouds and half a circle of sun,the other with a prancing unicornunder the little purple and greentissue paper diamond, dentedand torn, two big … Continue reading →

For Clifford Ernest PollandMay 21, 1952–March 18, 2001 On this day of green, of imminent spring,of green beer and drunken celebration,I think of you on that terribly ordinary day,setting off to eat corned beef and cabbagewith your siblings,me planning to … Continue reading →

We should not mind so small a flower.—Emily Dickinson The lengthening days of Lentwith its increasing lightcoaxing the swelling buds,the unfurling ferns, greening,the blooming of everything in this season of awakening,in every sense of becoming. The opening of irises,of eyes, … Continue reading →

Three years ago at this timewe could not see whatwas coming at us, could notimagine the unseen thatwould lock us inside, afraidof the very breath of others. We learned too well aboutisolation, about grief and pain,gripping hope to our chestslike … Continue reading →

Last night I stared hardat the clear vase holdingtwo dozen pointy greenstalks like paintbrushestipped the color of canaries,willing them to open. If I ignored them, I thought,one might shyly loosena lemony petal,let it begin to falllike a satin camisole strap,or … Continue reading →

Had they explained it to me in math classusing the circular plate, pressed in a crustand prettily fluted the edges, added a filling tempting to taste buds—apple, cherry,any kind of berry, pumpkin—but not mince,never mince—then baked it to a gentle … Continue reading →

Yeah, that ain’t me on the sign up there,my thighs hangin’ out like the drumstickthe gal’s holding, kickin’ up her heels in neon. My grandson’s idea, him the fancy chef,settin’ up shop, usin’ my chicken recipe, whichis all well and … Continue reading →

You hear the incredulity from locals: —Never seen this much snow…—The house is mostly buried…—We shovel and shovel—more keeps coming… and—The bay’s frozen over. Sure enough, snow white has overtakenthe emerald, frosting little Fannette Islandlike a vanilla cake topper, the … Continue reading →