Through the northern fall
morning darkness
The second floor bedroom lights
Sunset with slipper shuffles
Down to first floor lights
Glinting off breakfast coffee
A warm dark starting
Inside a chill that surrounds
Chill heard loudly
In wave-crashing winds
Surfing rhythmically
through once-leaved branches
Another sunset
Bright sunglow leaves
Under night’s darkness
Sink from tree to earth
Dawn comes soon
Winter joins on its heels
But spring is prepared
Jennifer Mannino has puttered on and off with poetry since high school. God has brought into her life her the deep blessings of a 20-year loving marriage, two amazing children, and an adorable dog. She has degrees in Biochemistry from University of Wisconsin – Madison, and Occupational Therapy from Louisiana State University – New Orleans. She has lived in Wisconsin, England, Alabama, Louisiana, California, Guam, and now resides in Portland, Oregon. She greatly enjoys coaching a Roman Catholic Challenge team for her daughter’s middle school & keeping up with her family’s many activities. She finds the gift of poetry to be a particularly gentle, loving extension of God’s voice in her life that comes and goes as the Spirit leads.