Poems by Erin McGee Ferrell

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Erin McGee Ferrell

Professionally a Visual Artist for over 30 years, I occasionally have poems that come to me. Please look at my paintings, ArtistAMERICAN.com, and understand that both the pen and the paintbrush do the same job. One I am a master of, the other...poetry...a novice. The past year I have dealt with Breast Cancer. My collection of works on this site reflect this unexpected and difficult journey. The Pirate Crew Paper Doll Collection is a Breast Cancer Educational Tool featuring Ms. Mastectomy, Ms. Chemotherapy, Ms. Radiation, Ms. Oophorectomy, and Ms. BRCA2. These works are dedicated to all who have walked in this path.

All Poems Original Poems Translations

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BIRDS

Birds are present in the branches outside of my window.

The $10 Walmart bird-feeder bares testimony of function.

There is peace in knowing that I've had tangible influence for good in this new place.

The birds will be fat over this winter.

That might not have happened without me here.

Erin McGee Ferrell

NO Hair

Today, I have no hair, other than my eyebrows hanging on just a bit.

I've never known this state.

As a baby, I'm sure it never crossed my mind.

This naked mole-rat situation.

Freckles never seen before on my scalp and my ears take the prominence they've always longed to have.

The entire ordeal strange with humiliation, yet today, I meet the suck head on.

Erin McGee Ferrell

$24 Lipstick

I got talked into a $24 lipstick...

Newly bald, the salesperson told me the color would look nice. *Vulnerable to anything I grasped.

She could have sold me a $50 mascara too if she tried.

by Erin McGee Ferrell

The Summer Of Sour And Uncontrolled Chip Munching

Yes, a just opened bag of cape cod sour cream and onion chips, halfway disappeared in 15 minutes.

This, as well as Farm Stand Sauerkraut, on tap sour beers and Haribo sour gummies.

Sure, I throw in the occasional greens, but salty & sour are the themes for Summer 2016.

My taste buds reflecting the sour struggle of being a career painter and many salty tears.

Craving sour over bitter, over sugar.

German heritage making its presence known with a punch at age 43?

Erin McGee Ferrell

The Next Month

Lord, I'm intimated looking ahead to the next month. A solo show not yet created at Ocean House Gallery. Paint for preservation, so needy for money. Feeling stingy about an extra $2 offering at a visiting church today.

Thank you Lord, that Carla bartered painting for massage. I can't stomach owing someone something else.

Debt after debt piled on with no way of breaking FREE apart from painting sales. Paintings unborn that need to be created over the next TWO weeks.

Lord,

May my hands be yours.

Erin McGee Ferrell

SlowTime

Just Me.

Sleeping 10 hours.

Granola and coffee in silence.

Empty time for refuelling.

College Process, Foster Kid Drama, Audit.

Graduation All Over.

Erin McGee Ferrell

I S. M. E. L. L.

Two weeks without a shower...

In the middle of the night I awoke to the smell of me...

I’ve used wipes, hair salons, and cornstarch...

Today, with the Dr's permission, I hope to get the drains out...

Then 24 hours more and I can stand beneath a long earned cascade of cleanse...

It’s been interesting to smell pungent for long...

Erin McGee Ferrell

An Iron, Wooden Bird And A Shoe

I don't iron.

I throw sorted clothes into the water and add a tide capsule, then transfer them to the dryer and add a Lavender Walmart scented sheet.

After the beep, I fold the towels and plop the bins of separated garments on to the kids beds, but I refuse to iron.

In the morning before the clock clicks on 8, I've figured out dinner and what still needs to be picked up at the grocery.

The school forms are filled out and the bills are paid, stamped and waiting in the mailbox. The dogs are fed and my teeth are brushed.

The days work toward career goals looms ahead and I plunge onward courageously but the iron doesn't turn on by my hands.

Erin McGee Ferrell