Sliced Like Pie by Jennifer Lagier

Maggie has separate doctors for each body part,
chronic disease, mental dysfunction.
Divides her life between free-spirit bohemian,
recovering Catholic, responsible daughter.

Is energetic in early morning:
power-walks miles of trail,
invites her poetry muse
to join her for coffee.

By mid-afternoon, begins to sag,
craves a long, quiet nap
with two sleepy dogs
on a comfortable sofa.

Becomes what she has always feared:
a depleted, difficult, middle-aged woman.
Transforms from lively dynamo
into cranky curmudgeon.

Jennifer Lagier has published ten books and in literary magazines. She taught with California Poets in the Schools, co-edits the Homestead Review, helps coordinate monthly Monterey Bay Poetry Consortium Second Sunday readings. Forthcoming books: Harbingers (Blue Light Press), Scene of the Crime (Evening Street Press), Camille Abroad (FutureCycle). Website: : : Poetry by Jennifer Lagier : :