IVAN JENSON - POEMS

Ivan Jenson is a fine artist, novelist and a popular contemporary American poet. Ivan’s poetry is widely published in the US, the UK and throughout Europe. Jenson has numerous novels and a collection of poems published. Ivan’s fictional memoir, Gypsies of New Rochelle, has been released by Michelkin Publishing. https://www.ivanjenson.com.

Crass Reunion

My how your face
has changed
the blush of youth
is now the sallow
tone of truths
told like an old wives' tale
over a witch's brew
of something borrowed
and nothing new
yet you retain that certain glow
of those who are in the know
and you dress with the
fabulous flamboyance
of somebody who is rarely told no
as if this were a welcoming party
instead of time's going away seance
scented by intense incense
which kills flies
and attracts ghosts
of those who once
wore lampshades
rather than headstones
anyhow, it is good to see you again
even if you are now just
a fraction of a friend

Disappearing Act

Every day I escape
the knowledge
that you know
everything about me
by basking
in the presence of
strangers who hide
their judgements
by quickly looking away
but I know damn well
that I am neither social reject
or famous public figure
instead I live in the dimension
of those we fail to mention
because I am not
the perpetrator or the defender
but rather the unpaid extra
or that person people can't
seem to place
or put their finger on
and I guess I do not
make an impression
on the veil of Veronica
because I refuse to join
the great group think
and so maybe all I write
is written with invisible ink


​

Already Saved

​I sped past
a billboard
which stated in big bold letters
exactly what I should do
and I still could not take
that highway advice
mostly because
I don't believe Jesus
has an 800 number
and I'd rather leave
certain things
in a state of perpetual wonder
so I drove to your place
where you greeted me
with a forced smile
and your freshly washed hair
and that is when I felt
a tinge of jealousy
because I was sure
you weren't alone
and God was there

Momentary Lapse

​the sunshine
was the perfect
storm of light
and its rays
were like breakfast
in bed served
on reflecting
silver trays
and her shoulder
as she turned away
was any photographer's
dream shot
and the afternoon
waited to arrive
like a tourist wearing
loud shorts
on their way
to the Florida Keys
anyway, that was
the morning he
never asked
her not to leave him
pretty please