Photography © Jennifer Matthews

 

Election Day

They line the rim
of the cedar tray—
cardinal, titmouse, finch—
not caring how it sways
in a warm wind, nor what
seed is here—sunflower,
always sunflower—
nor how the lichen creep
to the rim, each year
the pitted wood a little greener,
only that the seed is there,
is there, always, knowing
the importance of being
here before the coming rain.

 

The Day After

Between the slats
a flash of red, cardinals
almost frantic nest
building between azalea
and bricked, stuffed
with pine and maple
for the coming winter,
though the forecast
calls for rain, for fire.

 

Sam Calhoun: “I have a very successful backyard garden and a passion for meteorology. My highlight of this morning while working was seeing two yellow-bellied sapsuckers land at the feeder. I also think Macho Man Randy Savage’s rap album is underrated but thinks it needs harmonica parts.”

Poet/Photographer Jennifer Matthews’ poetry has been published in Nepal by Pen Himalaya and locally by the Wilderness Retreat Writers Organization, Midway Journal, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street Press and Boston Girl Guide. Jennifer was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of poetry Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors. Her songs have been released nationally and internationally and her photography has been used as covers for a number of Ibbetson Street Press poetry books and has been exhibited at The Middle East Restaurant, 1369 Coffeehouses, Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville and McLean Hospital.