by Cherryl E. Garner

I feel full like red rose May.
Not hothouse hybrid tight-wound
petal perch, but burst of dust
and sticking thorn, and then, when
pressed in heart by men with hands
correctly carved and cool whose
fingers curl at every joint
sometimes for only this, the
scent of lemons, tea and ginger,
sandalwood perfume.

CHERRYL E. GARNER manages a small law office in South Carolina, but has her deepest roots in Alabama, the inspiration for much of her poetry. Her poetic interest is in exploring family, landscape, the common and the divine in any forms that seem best to fit. To date, she has been noted for three poems in IBPC, and has been published in The Rose & Thorn, The Petigru Review, damselfly press, Artistry of Life, Riffing on Strings, Tipton Poetry Journal and Hanging Moss Journal.