BLOW WINDS BLOW

by Joy Kreves

 

New Jersey had two Jersey Shore towns report wind gusts of 60 mph on Monday night. More windy weather is expected Tuesday. Canva for NJ.com, December 30, 2025

Kick this era out into the cold

tail between its legs, thrash  

it with your breath ‘till it whimpers

 

Blow   blow    blow

clear out all the hangers-on

clinging to the corners

 

Blast like the pig-hunting wolf

but with strong enough huffs

to tumble brick walls

 

Slide your exhale across cold hearts, 

melt them like the wicked witch,

Ice down, down, drown 

 

Blow, bluster, dust off 

old peace signs, bring back butterflies

reignite a summer of love 

 

Roll sushi, tie tamales, shape samosas,

ribbon takeout containers in rainbow twine

Delight in the fruits of people’s labors

 

Then let us awaken to a calm, 

a steady sun that seeps its warmth

into our naked limbs

Sun Geode Rock, sculpture by Joy Kreves

Joy Kreves is a visual artist and poet living in New Jersey. She detests wind and lives with a big, white fluffy dog who everyone assumes loves snow, but he does not. However, he doesn't mind wind, even in large gusts. Kreves wrote this poem on the recent cold, gusty day.

BAKING BEFORE THE ELECTION

by Joy Kreves

There just happened to be exactly 

the right amount of butter in the fridge 

to make the Blood Orange boxed cake 

and frosting mix 

that sat in the cupboard for over a year

just waiting for election anxiety to crescendo

into a medicinal need for baked goods. 

 

The citrus flavor was out of sync 

with this Season of the Dead warm pumpkin, 

apple and caramel, yet a perfect flavor note 

for a particular person, on this day

of this year.

 

Who knew cake mixes could be best 

when left to ripen in the dark like pears

into an allure that calls out in a time of need

says, I’m here, yes, I’m here,

I’ve been waiting for you—

 

not shouted in a threatening way, not

like it’s wandering down a hallway 

I’m here, I’m coming for you, Nancy,

Nancy, where are you? Not menacing like that.                          

 

Look at this cake’s color—a delightful pink 

neither bloody nor orange.

Nothing revolting, no—no assault on the senses

no clobbering of tastebuds

just a small tart dance upon the tongue

an antidote for its time, this time.

 

If it had to write its own package description.            

it might state as its aim 

to serve a slice of laughter, a forkful of delight

for that overburdened, anxious brain.

I am at my best when paired

with pre-election hand-wringing.

Joy Kreves is an artist/poet in Central New Jersey, where she watches in horror as civil society comes crashing down around her. She is the Managing Editor of US1 Worksheets, in which she has had poems published, as well as several art exhibition catalogs. Her recent chapbook is Nature of The Beast.

IDENTIFYING CHRIST

by Joy Kreves

In his final speech in court before his latest conviction, Navalny quoted the Bible: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” —Yahoo! News, February 16, 2024

No, Donald Trump is not America’s Navalny. —The Washington Post, February 16, 2024

On the one hand

a living carcass of a coward

who leads the GOP by nose ring

 

On the other

the now dead Navalny

who suffered then died for democracy for all

 

One, belly expanded 

with the gaseous stench 

of mockery and hatred

 

The other, thinned frame 

filled with wit and love

and bravery

 

Even a toddler could discern

which is more Christ-like

yet half of America remains confused

Joy Kreves is a New Jersey artist/poet, member of DVP/US1 Poets.  She has had work published in art exhibition catalogs and in WORKSHEETS Anthologies 2022 & 2023.  She says, I still remember grade school lessons on The Golden Rule.  We had to pledge allegiance to the flag of our country.  These lessons were reinforced in Sunday School.  I am baffled by the ability of so many to justify rude, dishonest, selfish and traitorous behavior.  What were they taught as children?