Marigold Poem (unfinished)

I Growing up, my mom grew marigolds in our backyard. They lined the side fences along Charlie and Florence’s yards, but sometimes, you could find them scattered around the front yard. Now they sit in a black pot, near my parents’ back door. II At a restaurant for my friend’s 48th birthday, dried marigolds hung… Continue reading Marigold Poem (unfinished)

Western North Carolina

“Western North Carolina”after Aracelis Girmay’s “You Are Who I Love”Dedicated to Clare, Jen, Diane, and everyone in WNC To the barista at Dynamite Coffee,the one with the beard,long hair, and blue flannel shirt,who during weekday mornings,for five years,played James Taylor and Carole Kingon the record player, and made me a cupof coffee on my way… Continue reading Western North Carolina

Sweater Saturday: Organ Edition

It’s Sweater Saturday! In celebration of my book, “Home is a Sweater,” coming out in late June, here is another poem from the collection. Thank you to everyone who bought a copy of the book during the pre-sale period. Y’all are awesome! Copies should ship in the next week or two. Rendering of my Stomach… Continue reading Sweater Saturday: Organ Edition

This Spring Air

There’s a lightness, this spring. The heavy air that weighed me down in winter grief, isn’t completely gone, but it has mostly dissipated. Walking with a smile is an easier task and I’m able to see strength in my body, where I used to see weakness. One thing about infertility, is that it will push… Continue reading This Spring Air

Moving…Forward?

The bruises on my abdomen are gone, along with the dark blue and green ones that lived in the crook of my arm. There are no early morning appointments or amped up anxiety. Life is sort of calm, maybe quiet. On February 16 we transferred our only embryo, and a week or so later, we… Continue reading Moving…Forward?

After February 16

It’s been four months since our failed IVF transfer. Four months since I’ve been able to write about it or even have a meaningful conversation with others about it. Time has moved quickly, and not at all, at the same time. Immediately after learning that we weren’t pregnant, without my having to ask, my partner… Continue reading After February 16