For Dad and Jill (after dad’s ER visit 3.7.26)

 

Praying your recent scare

Gives way to days free of care

Gardening, strolls, chats on the porch

Sweet nothings and so forth.

Third of a Century poem, February 13, Princess Love Boat cruise, draft no. 1

by Jen Hunt

For Graham:

Sometimes you're too much in your head

And you hog too much of the bed

But I am grateful for your sense of direction. 

And that after 33 years

You can still keep an erection. 

We renewed our vows on Feb 14, 2026 during our first cruise, Sun Princess (Love Boat) 

Communion, draft no. 1

 by Jen Hunt

I pinch the cup to hold communion

The Most Holy God and I kiss

My pulse faint as a preborn's heartbeat

moving the crepe paper skin of my wrist

To think my Lord bled

For this

A Titus 3 Citizen, draft no. 2

 by Jen Hunt

Yes, we’re unhinged

Flag’s edges fringed

Fighting those with stars on thars

We’re angry and at war

 

Public enemy number one?

Index finger on my sternum

 

What’s in my heart?

Evil and sin

What’s in God’s heart?

Mercy outpouring

 

Submit to our leaders,

Give Ceasar his due--

But I don’t bleed red, white and blue

I bleed you, Christ

 

the lowly and meek

Christ, who turned the other cheek

Christ, who upturned poser’s tables

Christ, who’ll return to judge our fables

 

 Regenerate this heart of rust

Justify, renew this muss

Your image we have tarnished

Yet eternal hope you’ve lavished

If I’m an heir, the credit’s yours

God, I’m floored.

 

I noticed that this poem was written more with head than heart. I didn’t feel too deeply writing it, so the admission of sin feels somewhat hollow. It doesn’t incorporate the five senses. Oh, well. It’s a first draft. I’m interested to see how it comes into focus, with further contemplation. I'm willing to share with my church's writer's group, to encourage them not to get hung up by perfectionism. 

August in CT, 2025, draft no. 1

 Ancient Essex Weeder shifts

Main Street J Alden and Griswold trips

Mornings as if at a bird sanctuary

Lunches with gourmet BLTs

Lavender Pond and greenhouse shops

Westbrook beach and tag sale stops

River Museum entrance fees waived

(Proving being a docent pays)

Grillo's treat to lobster rolls

So many memories a Connecticut visit holds. 

Arrived, draft no. 2

 You really rolled the carpet out

We felt pampered from the get-go

Flying never felt so posh

From our premier first-class row

Nor could digs be finer

Master bedroom, rose trees, hot tub

Even a walking trail

To scope pinecones and deer hubs

Enjoying piano recitals

Bagpipe and Beach Club mores

Historic adobe house wanderings

Nutcracker shopping spree scores

Porcini and tri tip

Persimmons and Mirth

Creme Brule and Scotch

Lounge wear to before church

Nephews on gym mats

Nieces en pointe

Board Pres whip cracks

Barring nuts from checkpoints

How'd we swing this Pebble vacay

When loaded we're not?

When it comes to family

We hit the jackpot!

Too Tall Paul, draft no. 1

Too tall Paul

Is what he's called

Hangs near the bus stop

By the mall

Little, dark man

Not four feet tall

Sleeps at St. John's

Stands like a wall

I pass him on my way to work--

Sometimes Jesus' frame is small