Four Poems by Barbara Leonhard

 

In the Manner of Emily Dickinson

As for Death

 

As for Death, I am unpracticed—

But for a glimpse of God.

Heaven’s promised to every soul,

So entry was my goal.

I begged for entrance—twice—

Once in a coma then in a dream—

So real were they both!

I felt a tinge of grief and loss—

God didn’t keep his Oath!

 

I Wish the Words

 

I wish the words

Upon my door

To say “Please enter here”—

Not farewell to a life

Not a nod to grief or fear

Just “Come in! Take a seat.

Enjoy some wine or beer.

Let’s converse, have some laughs

And all around— Good Cheer!”

 

There Was a Knock

 

There was a knock

Upon the pane—

Twas my mother’s Ghost—

At last, she told me 

where she’d been—

And why—and where it was.

Twas not the sky—

Twas in a slice of dust.

She’d found a home, new friends, new food—

A heavenly retreat.

Should I leave to see her there?

Someday, I must—I must.

 

 

My Mother Haunts My Twitter Feed

 

My mother haunts my Twitter feed.

I chase her through the posts.

She likes some friends and others not.

Blocks my loves and follows Elon Musk.

Her comments, hieroglyphic swirls.

Her reasons, soporific hurls.

My feed is Mother’s stomping ground.

Be gone, I cry—This is my room!

Get your own account!

 

Barbara Leonhard is a retired ESL instructor. Her poetry has been published in various literary magazines and anthologies. She’s also written a poetry collection Three-Penny Memories: A Poetic Memoir (Experiments in Fiction, 2022), which is about her relationship with her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s. The book is a best-seller on Amazon. Barbara is also the Editor for MasticadoresUSA. She lives in Mid-Missouri with her husband and cat Jasper.