Most Days I Want to Live by Gabrielle Calvocoressi
"And I said, / Then, gosh. What’s the point? / The flowers themselves, / I suppose."
Strawberry by Paisley Rekdal
"I’m going to fail simply by standing in front of you, / waving my arms in your face as if hailing a taxi: / I’m here, I’m here
I Am Not Ready To Die Yet by Aracelis Girmay
"I want to live longer. / I want to love you longer, say it again, / I want to love you longer / & sing that song / again."
There Comes the Strangest Moment by Kate Light
"Your heart’s in retrograde. You simply have no choice. / Things people told you turn out to be true."
How to Begin by Catherine Abbey Hodges
"Step into your ribcage. // Feel the draft of your heart's doors / as they open and close."
Lucky by Kirsten Dierking
"All this time, / the life you were / supposed to live / has been rising around you"
Instructions for the Journey by Pat Schneider
"It’s easy to lose this tenderly / unfolding moment. Look for it / as if it were the first green blade / after a long winter."
To Be Held by Linda Hogan
"the way a tree always shelters the unborn life / waiting for the healing / after the storm / which has been our life."
Afraid So by Jeanne Marie Beaumont
"Did the check bounce? / Are we out of coffee? / Is this going to hurt?"
