When It’s Summer
Ladybugs fold August’s
red heat under wings
crawl to shade, to edge
of creek, calm cadence
carves silence, caresses
perfect rhythm of green
heartbeat, deep in soil.
Procession begins on birch
branch, ladybugs mingle in sun
glow on bruised trunk, on wild
leaves stormed, hearts lifted
by the loud fingertip, eclipses,
heavy shadow of human existence.
____________________________
Closure with Flying Birds
They’ve spoken to my father
and bring back news.
He’s well.
Sun shines in the garden where I sit.
Birds fly to me, ask
for a message for my father.
I offer a poem.
I inhale scent of his shirt in the wake
of their wings. The flying birds told
him his scent is now mine too.
I follow the track of flying birds.
I scatter seeds.
___________________
Worshipper
Lips glistening like brown sugar crystals
cheekbones angled like red rhubarb
stalks in your garden, you sit,
godmother, in all of your beauty,
amber skin, silver hair braided
at your breasts.
Your glow, scented ginger fingernails,
lifting soil from fertile slumber,
physicality of you not minding sun
forever seated
buddha among yucca.
_________________________
After Sixteen Days of Drought
Green blade of grass craves dew.
Praying mantis prays
above parched roots, gardener curses
brittle stalks, rabbit circles wired fence.
Splitting purple vine crawls up
shed, faded red legumes collapse left.
Gray clouds pregnant with rain.
Drought suckles at trickle
of reservoir, as slight drizzle drifts
teases soil. Black pebbles sizzle.
Ancient ochre moss peels off bark.
Shrinking nightshades lose the night.
Children dressed in white, feet
stomp dust in rain dance,
voices shout rain song.
Mother hums harvest lullaby.
Clouds burst silver rain, soaking pods,
mud pies in dishes on playground.
Rabbit sneaks through hole
in garden fence. Girl’s pink
tongue gathers splashes
from rain, plum-colored lips
moistened. Soon impatient boy
will pluck budding edible blossoms
to the crowing laughter of emerald
feathered roosters. Pebbles vanish
below flowing river. Gardener smiles
at orange abundance, mother tosses
cherry red tomatoes in her mouth.
Infant latches for her milk.
Green blade of grass grateful.
Praying mantis legs bless roots.
_________________________
Takin’ It Easy by Jerrice J Baptiste
This morning, I sit
legs folded like the Jade Buddha.
My cup of chai tea rests on the table
at my reach. I put pen to blank page.
Inhale scent of chai slowly,
making its way into nostrils.
Transported to a friend’s kitchen
with many objects in red on her shrine.
Taste of spices on tongue,
cinnamon & clove return with joy.
I sip until end of morning light
dancing on walls. Then, I approach you!
Jerrice J Baptiste is an artist, poet, educator and author of nine books, Her watercolor drawings on paper have been accepted or forthcoming in MER, Synchronized Chaos, Saugerties Shout Out, Las Laguna Art Gallery exhibit in California, Spirit Fire Review, Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine. Jerrice has presented her art work at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY, in June 2025. She’s been featured as a solo artist at the Cairo Public Library in Cairo NY, in an art exhibit at The Mountaintop Library in Tannersville NY in August-September 2025, and also a solo Exotic Birds Collection on January-February 2026 at Mountain Top Library, She participated in an art show called Shout Out Saugerties, NY. Her most recent poetry book Coral in The Diaspora is published by Abode Press (August 2024). She is well published in Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis and hundreds of others. Jerrice’s collaborative songwriting and poems are featured on the Grammy nominated album: Many Hands Family Music for Haiti. She teaches Authentic Poetry workshops in The Catskills, NY.
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Jerrice’s paintings are sweet and innocent. I love her poetry for the images of nature, home, leisure and spice.
I love them , so original and innocent
Thank you so much for your heartfelt message Bichini 🙏
Joy
Jerrice
Thank you Barbara for reading and admire my art work on Synchronized Magazine!
I appreciate your kind words!
Joy
Jerrice
all the poems are lovely, sensual; I can see and smell each places Jerrice writes about. I do have a favorite, however, and that is the poem “closure on Flying Birds.” Love the photo of Jerrice as well.
Love Jarrice’s work!
Thank you so much for your positive comment on my creative work Denise!
Joy Jerrice
Enchanting poems and drawings! Your powerful uplifting imagery takes me to both familiar and unknown places and calms me. Thank you!
Thank you so much John for enjoying both my artwork and poems! Such lovely words to savor. Thanks for visiting Synchronized Chaos Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
A snapshot of summer
Bring it out in February – As the cold wind blows and you climb your mountain.
Thank you so much BA! your wonderful insights into my poems art work is appreciated!
Best wishes
Jerrice
What stunning artwork and poetry. Among my many favorite lines:
I inhale scent of his shirt in the wake/of their wings. The flying birds told/him his scent is now mine too.
Brava SC and Jerrice!
WOW Carolyn! I’m so thrilled to read your words full of compliments and quoting from the poem “Closure With Flying Birds.” I’m so glad you visited Synchronized Chaos Magazine. Wishing you a wonderful summer!
Joy & gratitude
Jerrice
J’aime beaucoup, c’est vraiment jolies. Va plus loin
Thanks so much Roodly for your supportive comment!! J’ apprecie ton attitude de success!
Merci beaucoup
Jerrice
Thanks so much Roodly for your supportive comment!! J’ apprecie ton attitude de success!
Merci beaucoup
Jerrice
Waww félicitations à toi Jerrice.
J’apprécie énormément ton travail d’art artistique.
Excelsior
Merci beaucoup Mirlande!! C’est tres magnifique de lire ton message de positive!
Merci pour tes compliments 😊
Love
Jerrice 🙏💖
Jerrice’s pictures bring a smile. Love the colors. They are playful and tender.
The poems have clear images and are fun to read in my head.
What perfect companions, the poems and pictures.
Thanks so much Suzanne for reading and enjoying my artwork! I’m so glad my work brings a smile to your face. I’m so happy you love the colors in my creative work.
Happy Summer 🏝️🌞
Joy & gratitude
Jerrice
Jerrice,
Your poems and art are so full of colorful images and life. Love them. Thank you.
~Susan
Thanks so much Susan! I appreciate you taking the time to read and absorb both poems and colorful art.
Happy Summer 🏝️🌞
Joy
Jerrice
Gorgeous, poignant, life-affirming. These poems bring tears to my eyes and yet give me hope. Jerrice, you are an inspiration.
I value your heartfelt words. It’s amazing when art moves us. Thanks for sharing ☺️ joy,, Jerrice
My favorite poem is the one in which she alludes to her father. Her poems all evoke the senses beautifully
Thanks so much Fran ! I am grateful to receive this wonderful comment!
Best wishes to our creativity!
Joy
Jerryice
Your unique creative expression inspires me. Thank you for brightening the world with your art and poetry.
Thanks so much Jane! I am grateful that you find my creative work so beautiful to inspire the world.
Joy & gratitude
Jerrice 🙏😊
Such wonderful imagery j’aime beaucoup les sentiments et les sensations évoquées dans tes poèmes.
Congrat! Félicitations!
Your fabulous words make me smile and. Feel hopeful for the world!
Joy
Jerrice
Clinging to the last of summer as the days grow shorter. Your poems make me pay attention to details.
Thanks Stephen for sharing that you feel more present when you read my poems. I feel touched that my artwork and poems make you pay more attention to life .
Such powerful words .
Best wishes
Jerrice
There is such a sweet innocence in Jerrice’s art. It touches the little girl within me. Her poetry always brings me to the places she shares with such exquisite imagery.
Thanks so much Sandi! Your words are a celebration of the spirit of the little child we all have inside of us!
Enjoy your Summer days!
Joy & gratitude
Jerrice
The artwork is so child-like and colorful! My favorite is the one with the dragonflies.
I enjoyed the poetic images of August and the ladybug activities.
Thanks so much Priscilla for your heartfelt comments! I’m grateful for your keen observation.
Joy
Jerrice