Welcome back, and a warm hello to the newcomers.
As a kid, I loved sharing a little bag of Skittles with a friend. Whether I was the one shaking the bag or the one holding out my cupped palms, it felt good to come together over something colorful and sweet.
I have a bag of poems, and I shook out a handful for you. Let me know what you think in the comments!
Suggested reading music: “Sit Down” by The Lizzy Co Show
Night opens petals.
Perfume is the evidence.
Day closes again.
Once, I was a coiled-up chain,
Stored a little carelessly,
Rusty in the rain.
Crawled into a crucible,
Melting down went fine.
Poured myself into a mold
That feels like mine.
Now I’m sharp and shiny,
Check out my blade.
I cut all the ties,
Now I have a new name.
Today I grew a fear-flower.
It bloomed overnight,
It carries the dew.
I worry its scent will draw panic-bees,
Come to shuffle the pollen
And show me the waltz
That means “oh no.”
I won’t take the chance,
I shake my caboose so hard
That the fear-dance can’t take hold.
I make it clap like thunder-gods do.
My body texted and said
“This bitch wants to live
In the shape
Of a fertility goddess.”
Left her on read a long time,
But I finally gave her a nod,
Allowed her to be something
More than a straight line,
More than a shameful thing to hide
From the folks who taught me about God.
I’m letting myself have a quiet life.
I’m building the boundaries thick.
I’m putting long distances in between me
And the things that cut me to the quick.
Is there anyone left out in the world
Who sings quiet tiny-bird songs?
Is anybody flying silent and free?
Anyone righting their wrongs?
Come spread a blanket and picnic with me,
Come tell me stories, come share.
Come feel the dizzying dopamine hit
That happens when somebody cares.
Can you
Trust your lungs to
Hold a little song? Is it
Better to sing with the band? Is it
Possible to be wrong
And still belong?
We need some light in here.
Candles burn better when
They burn long.
Palpable relief,
The thought of a safety net.
Hold me, I’ll hold you.
Today I feel a quiet little space,
An opening inside
Moving in a slower time.
I was dreaming when I swam the race.
Seaweed tumbles in and out with tides.
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All my best,
I love all of these, I like your voice, glad I found your work
Wow, Lizzy, these are all fantastic. I love the variety, and many of them are quite musical. "Thunder-gods" is my absolute favorite: it's got emotional awareness, nature metaphors, and the recognition that music/dance often trumps reasoning/thinking when it comes to making peace with our feelings. Bravo!