Are Cherries in Bloom?
Voice cracks, words tumble,
Would you be my friend?
She asks her in parking lot
of Heaven’s Garden.
Face flushes. Eyes squint.
A smile appears in corner
of her lips painted in rose,
deep center of magnolia.
She offers her a kind hand.
A conversation of streams
flowing, palm trees swaying
with breeze. Cherries to suckle.
Jerrice J Baptiste is a visual artist, poet, author of nine books. Her watercolor drawings on paper have been accepted or forthcoming in Synchronized Chaos, Las Laguna Art Gallery exhibit in California, MER, Spirit Fire Review, Jerry Jazz Musician Magazine. She’s presented her art work at The Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY in 2025. She’s been featured as a solo artist at The Mountain Top Library in Tannersville, NY in 2025 & 2026. Her most recent poetry book called Coral in the Diaspora is published by Abode Press in 2024. Her poetry has been published in numerous magazines and journals, Artemis Journal, The Yale Review, Mantis, Kosmos Journal and hundreds of others.
wonderful. congratulations and joy
Thanks so much PerriBlaze!
I appreciate that you visited the magazine and enjoyed my art work and poetry!
Joy
Jerrice
What stunning artwork and vivid poetic imagery. They capture the tender love of sisterhood! Brava, Jerrice.
Thanks so much Carolyn for your insightful generous comment on my poem and drawing of sisterhood!
Happy Sunday!
Joy
Jerrice
Beautiful, thank you for sharing!
How lovely and tender your comment is Al. I appreciate it!
Joy
Jerrice
between the sunrise and the sunset – thank you for the colors of my day
I’m so thrilled you love the colors BA! I like to bring the vibrant colors of the Caribbean into my drawings!
Best wishes!
Jerrice
Love these colorful sister friends and your lyrical poetry, a delightful treat for the eyes and spirit!
Thanks so much B Marie! So glad you love the drawing of the sisterhood and my lyrical poem. It’s so appreciated that you visited the magazine!
Best wishes
Jerrice
Thanks, Jerrice for another insight into the realm of pure and innocent feelings in words and visual images!
Thanks so much Lalita for appreciating. The innocence of my art and poetry!
Best wishes
Jerrice
Beautiful poetry and art, really captures her Island heritage.
Thanks so much James for reading my poem. I’m glad that you enjoyed the colors of the Caribbean in my art work and poetry!
Best wishes
Jerrice
So beautiful, Jerrice, that you are honoring and uplifting women’s friendships and the beauty of nature. This makes my heart smile. Delicious!
Thanks so much Sarah! I’m glad that my art work and poetry bring a smile to your face!
Thanks for visiting The synchronized Chaos magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
Jerrice’s artwork has a childlike charm to it. It expresses love, friendship and a certain sweetness and innocence.
Thanks so much Barbara for commenting on the beauty you appreciate about my artwork and poem!
Joy
Jerrice
Thanks so much Barbara for commenting on the beauty that you appreciate about my artwork! I’m very grateful you took the time to visit Synchronized Chaos Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
I so love the gentleness of Jerrice’s work. It is her gentle spirit that permeates her poetry and art.
Thanks so much Sandi for. Your kind words which celebrate the gentleness of my poetry and art work!
Joy
Jerrice
Love the pictures Sister! The poem was beautiful! Great Job!
Thanks Cathy, my sister! So thrilled you love the poem and drawings!
Love
Jerrice
Lovely, Jerrice. The drawings and the poem go so well together too.
Fantastic Joanne! So glad your praise of my drawings and poem! I agree they compliment each other well.
Joy
Jerrice
Jerrice’s second piece of art extends the intimacy of her first. The women gaze into each other’s eyes and share a deep knowingness that binds them together. The colorful simplicity of this piece speaks volumes about the depths of the relationship.
Thanks Carolyn for sharing your thoughts on the intimacy of the new drawing and how they are extensions of each other! Fabulous comment! I’m very grateful for your return to Synchronized Chaos Magazine to comment on my art work!
Joy
Jerrice
Both the poem and artwork are gorgeous. Love the ending line of the poem, “Cherries to suckle.”
Thank you very much Susan! I’m over the moon that you love both drawings and the poem. I’m glad the last line of the poem will stay with you! Fantastic! Thanks for visiting Synchronized Chaos Magazine!
Joy in abundance!
Jerrice
Lovely, so glad to see this work! Go, Jerrice!
Thanks so much Fran for cheering me on! I’m grateful and happy for your kind words!
Joy in abundance!
Jerrice
The artwork and the poem felt like a beautiful day at the beach with a good friend.
I love your words always Jerrice, but combined with the artwork it opens a whole other dimension.
Thanks so much Ania! I’m glad you enjoy the experience of seeing my artwork with my poem! It’s fabulous it creates another dimension! Thank you! for visiting Synchronized Chaos Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
Love the charming and colorful artwork, especially the swimming girls! – a perfect compliment to your powerful poetry.
Thanks so much Bonnie for complimenting the swimming girls! Glad you love this watercolor drawing and poetry!
Joy & gratitude
Jerrice
I love the colors of the tropics. These paintings transport me to my treasured beach days with dear friends when I lived in Puerto Rico! Warm sunshine and blue waters, mixed with love and laughter are good times for sure. I love your use of color and whimsical compositions. Cheers!
Thanks so much Susana! I’m glad these drawings brought back fun memories of being on the beach! Thanks so much for visiting Synchronized Chaos Magazine!
Joy
Jerrice
Jerrice. I love this poem. It takes me back to growing up in Metuchen, NJ hanging with my best friend holding hands, laughing and taking walks, telling each other our deepest secrets.
The bright colors brings me comfort and positivity. That sentence “She ask her in parking lot of Heaven’s Garden” is so powerful! The Universe has gifted you with skills through your words that touches the hearts of everyone. Love you. Eyes Up!
Thanks so much Valerie! It’s wonderful when a poem can remind us of fun days! I’m so thrilled the bright colors can uplift your spirit! Thanks for visiting Synchronized Chaos Magazine!
Joy & gratitude
Jerrice