In order to view this poem as the author intended it to appear, we suggest reading it on a computer screen or in the landscape orientation on your phone.

Invited to Linger
Carole Mertz

I have used certain words—
tentatively. At the time I needed

them most, they arrived
unannounced and furnished

their meanings more lavishly
than I could have imagined,

decorated my language-room
more colorfully than I deserved,

and sang more deep-throated
than I dared. They entered right

on time; I used some of them
nimbly, spoke some firmly.

Sometimes I tamed them, let them
subtly drop, sensing this is the word

most needed at this time, in just
this most unremarkable place. I

may be allowed to use these words
again, or not. I may simply remember

them left at others’ doorsteps,
awaiting the opened door, expecting

welcome, their meanings taken in
and invited to linger awhile.

—
Carole Mertz, poet and essayist, has published poems with Eclectica, Every Day Poems, Front Porch Review, Indiana Voice Journal, Muddy River Poetry Review, Quill & Parchment, The Ekphrastic Review, Voices de la Luna, and elsewhere. She is first place winner of several poetry challenges at the Wilda Morris Poetry Blog. Carole is the author of a poetry collection Color and Line (Kelsay Bks, 2021).

Know anyone who might appreciate reading Carole’s poem?
Why not share the link to this page?

Have you read these poems:
Reduced to Nouns by Amy Haddad
Joseph Anthony by Gregory L. (Goya) Candela

Table of Contents