10 Comments
User's avatar
Amanda's avatar

"—by which I mean grief is a country

and we are its most faithful immigrants"

❤️‍🩹🔥🖤

Expand full comment
Better Days Are A Toenail Away's avatar

I was so happy to find this in my inbox this morning. I've never seen fungus growths described as cities before ("growing cities of bushy, white fungus"). This poem is PACKED with surprising language. Beautifully done.

Expand full comment
Raju Tai's avatar

“the power to peek into ten futures and be paralysed by them all” - my god what a powerful poem by one of my favourite poets and people

Expand full comment
Unaina's avatar

"—by which I mean our babies, born with their jaws pre-clenched" and the line with the immigrants is beautiful and terrifying. Thanks for brightening my morning!

Expand full comment
Anastacia Compton's avatar

There is a whole novel packed into every line of this poem. A WHOLE NOVEL.

Expand full comment
Jaweerya Mohammad's avatar

such a loaded and moving poem!

Expand full comment
Jennifer Laine's avatar

This is such a powerful poem, not only with the vivid imagery but also with the way the list structure mixes a sort of methodical plodding with a sense of overwhelm. As the mother and aunt and former spouse of several neurodiverse folks, this poem resonates deeply for me.

Expand full comment
Kait Quinn's avatar

"by which I mean my little niece speaks of Egyptian queens / like she used to swallow pearls in vinegar with them" the imagery in this poem FLOORED me!

Expand full comment
Bill Scott's avatar

“By which I mean,” adds an interesting and complex twist to a poem that could stand alone without the phrase.

By which I mean, all the migrant colors and thoughts that inundate a poet, any poet, who is overwhelmed by everything that’s happening inside and outside of us. Or any person.

Such a great poem. ❤️

Expand full comment
Rochelle Jewel Shapiro's avatar

A poem that teaches you how to send o9ut shoots to the universe

Expand full comment