Saint Julian Press Poet
Elaine Fletcher Chapman
LATELY, THE RESERVOIR, MY OCEAN
This morning I baked blueberry scones,
added leftover slivers of black pepper
cheese to eggs along with a slice of mozzarella, a little cream.
From the kitchen table in winter we see clearly
the tideless body of water. A steady downpour.
The birds, taking cover, disappear.
We depend on them so.
My beloved, on the phone planning a funeral
for an elderly man who died yesterday afternoon.
With each death, my husband misses his daughter
more. His only one. Nearly a decade ago
she sided with her mother. I like to think
she didn’t have a choice. Still, she has yet to return.
Yesterday he preached the Transfiguration story.
Coming down from the mountain
always difficult. That fall from Grace.
Almost mid–morning.
Finally, I see two egrets crisscrossing. Butter and jam
still on the table. Tea, cold. Alone now. Years earlier
I prayed for solitude. Before the reservoir.
This morning I baked blueberry scones,
added leftover slivers of black pepper
cheese to eggs along with a slice of mozzarella, a little cream.
From the kitchen table in winter we see clearly
the tideless body of water. A steady downpour.
The birds, taking cover, disappear.
We depend on them so.
My beloved, on the phone planning a funeral
for an elderly man who died yesterday afternoon.
With each death, my husband misses his daughter
more. His only one. Nearly a decade ago
she sided with her mother. I like to think
she didn’t have a choice. Still, she has yet to return.
Yesterday he preached the Transfiguration story.
Coming down from the mountain
always difficult. That fall from Grace.
Almost mid–morning.
Finally, I see two egrets crisscrossing. Butter and jam
still on the table. Tea, cold. Alone now. Years earlier
I prayed for solitude. Before the reservoir.
PRESS RELEASE - RESERVOIR
PRESS RELEASE - HUNGER FOR SALT
POET
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Hunger for Salt by
Elaine Fletcher Chapman * ISBN-13: 978-0-9986404-1-9 *
ISBN 10: 0-9986404-1-7
Saint Julian
Press, Inc. * 2053 Cortlandt, Suite 200 * Houston, TX 77008 * Ron
Starbuck ~ Publisher-CEO
Phone: 281-734-8721 * Email: ronstarbuck@saintjulianpress.com * www.saintjulianpress.com