Somnabular

—after Gauguin

The sky can’t keep the clouds it loves.
It searches boulders, mimics seaside mist.
Light reveals then confounds—
ocher and gold, turbulent purple.

Under scumbled branches, women
huddle in an aureole of shadow.
A baby sleeps in a boneyard of flowers.

Where are we going? Far into nowhere.
Where do we come from? Fruit the color of flesh.

Jennifer Markell’s first book of poetry, Samsara, has been accepted for publication by the Turning Point imprint of WordTech Communications (2014). Her poems have been published in journals nationally and internationally, including The Aurorean (Featured Poet), Consequence, Rhino, The Women's Review of Books (forthcoming), and Poetry from Sojourner, A Feminist Anthology. Her poetry has been displayed at Boston City Hall, and she was selected to read her work at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.