sun-swept sheets
An assortment of poems.
Hi. This one’s going to be a little different. I started a new job this week, one I’m really excited about that could be exactly what I’ve been looking for. It’s something I’m passionate about and will hopefully be good at—the problem is, my brain has spent all its time relearning English in a new and different way, so it’s sucked all my creative energy this week. There’s miscellaneous thoughts and ideas floating around, but in light of trying to listen to my body and rest when it needs to, I’m going to share some things I’ve already written instead of pushing through and throwing something together. Last summer, I did a 100 day poetry challenge (from Suleika Jaouad’s 100 day challenge from The Isolation Journals). A little secret—I’ve compiled a group of my favorites into a chapbook that I’ve been submitting for publication, so while these aren’t necessarily the best of the bunch, they’re a few of my favorites from the leftovers.
PSA: the vibe of the poems as a whole turned out to be ‘surviving as the world falls apart’ xoxo enjoy!
may 26 it’s gone hollow again, the ache. stomach scooped out for a jack-o-lantern, dead eyes gazing through the cut outs watching horrors never intended for reality. the candle flickers at the rush of wind tracing the space inside, searching for what remains to be thrown out.
october 13 i am becoming my mother in my sighs, the same way she has become hers in her protests. will i, too, come to reject my self in its most vulnerable form?
june 5 why must i feel tunneled in my dreams, immersed underground where no light reflects sparkling eyes, where no laughter echoes beyond the self— but the heaviness anchors itself to my stomach, the tears bubble up on my cheeks until i wake and the deep hollow grieves openly upon the sun-swept sheets.
october 12 i am growing insignificant, me with my wrinkled sheets overdue for a wash, me with my whiteboard to-do lists never to be crossed off, me with my head—once full of learning now only finds worry. i eat a muffin with cream cheese, let the banana soften on the counter. i remember when my daydreams made me lively.
june 7 sleep, my love, my embodiment of warm sheets. the world will be around tomorrow.
Where I’ve been finding rest and revival:
Daily: Using my happy light sun lamp first thing in the morning, putting time limits on my social media screen time, going to bed early (with no shame!), blanket layering while binge watching
Media: Before Sunrise (I Sobbed), this playlist for early mornings, playing Cozy Grove
Here’s hoping we listen to our bodies and find ways to rest,
Helena