Dreaming as a 10-year-old
before acceptance letters
and decision day
commencement speeches
and ceremonies
I thought of college as some mythical place
some mysterious paradise
of granted logic, satisfying meaning
somewhere of hope and possibility
which I know now doesn’t exist in full
but at least the buildings look like Hogwarts
from time to time
Corporeal Cloud
if you look too long at the sky
you’ll fall in
plunging deep in the pocket
between times and spaces
that weren’t there yesterday
to steal your breath and the blood
in your bones a talisman for the justification
the gathering of your insides
in vague palms like cotton candy mounds
flossing between windowsills and rooftop shingles
a corporeal cloud
which is all too much
until you feel your feet on the ground
Today is about celebrating women around the world. You will see pretty pictures, stories about female leaders, statements from university and government officials about historical figures that “make women proud.” However, tomorrow all of this will magically disappear and we will go back to the reality of what it’s like to be a woman in the modern world*:
Let’s share those pretty pictures, let’s say the kind words, and let’s focus on female leaders and heroes today. But let’s also remember that it shouldn’t stop there, and the fight for equality continues beyond days like today.
*figures taken from Statista
The Midnight Drive
your favorite is the midnight drive
that’s dark except the headlights and
traffic stops. green, yellow, red
glimmering in a stigmatism
seeking solace in the hug
farther up the road
a warmth atop a chill
that softly breathes
an exhale of relief
you didn’t know you needed
goosebumps on your arms
resting back on the headrest
eyes like swollen stars
you look out the glass
at your reflection in the night
knowing home will come
that you’ll sleep it away
but dream of the midnight drive
Falling from Floating
have you ever had a dream
lasting only a second
waking in a cold sweat
wide-eyed panic
falling into something
letting go, just existing
in a moment
the feeling, so terrifying
you’re woken
by a mind, rigid
refusing to loosen
the comfortable grip
that keeps you grounded
not floating
and you can’t help but wonder
would you have fallen
if you weren’t afraid
Narcissus circa 2024
I loved someone
so deceptively tangible
so close, almost touching
our breath intermingling
between pauses and thought
I try to survive
the pain in my chest
the aching empty cavity
I loved someone
so deeply
so closely
it killed me
Please reach out if you or someone you know is in immediate danger or experiencing suicidal thoughts. You are not alone.
911
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
CAPS After Hours Urgent Support: 734-764-8312
UM Psychiatric Emergency Services: 734.996.4747
UM Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness: 734.936.3333
Department of Public Safety and Security: 734.763.1131
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1.800.273.TALK (1.800.273.8255)
The Trevor Lifeline: 1.866.488.7386
Crisis Text Line: 741741
