Today’s poem prompt was to use neologisms, made up words like Lewis Carroll used in Jabberwocky. Well, I never much appreciated Jabberwocky anyway. The prospect of making up compound words made me feel I was back in German class. Frankly, on less than one cup of tea it was a challenge too far. So, this is what I wrote instead.
Easter
If I could juju the world
I would give you all deep peace
of suffering survived –
that greening and leafing feeling
when the sap rises again
after leaf fall,
winter’s annual shut down,
the trees still as standing stones
all spine and spindle,
shorn like a convict’s bad haircut.
Well, we have all done
some time. But we are paroled –
a subtle pulse, birdsong,
the flutters of family making.
If I could juju the world
I would give you all the hope
each spring brings. And then have you
not judge it false, foolhardy,
a sentimental sop,
yet another cruel mocking,
thwarting of you. Don’t take spring
quite so personally. The world
will go on in its suffering
with or without you. Just for this moment
look out your window. See
the luminous green in each new leaf.
That is food. Take it and eat.
Remember. And rise.