poetry is a personal experience that drives to the heart of reading, which is this: we read to know that we are not alone. it makes me happy that the most recent poetry books i've read have been recommendations from treasured friends because i've forgotten how magical and mortifying poetry was. as audre lorde and jeanette winterson said: for women, poetry is not a luxury. it's vital to existence. people who say it is have had things pretty easy. a tough life needs a tough language — and that's what poetry is. it isn't a hiding place. it is a finding place.

your heartbeat is too a song—and it is quite possibly the truest, most beautiful soundtrack to your life.

this series of poems and essays gave me well-meaning, kind reminders in the form of a hug and a pat on the back to keep me forward. it looked me dead in the eyes and said "you feel tender right now. you feel insecure right now. do not be afraid because actually here — i'll teach you how" and starts saying things like: "you need to let the people who love you, love you" "the human heart is approximately the size of two hands clasped together" "caring is not synonymous with crazy" "no amount of rationale will stop the cosmos from taking back what they bore in you" "stop trying to make yourself indestructible—like any soft creature it is in your nature to break, like any soft creature it is in your nature to heal"— a bunch of needed reminders that are only painful because it's waging war with the voices in my head that want to drag me down. after years, i forgot how poetry could be on my side. poetry books: i'm coming for y'all — it's time for a reunion.

When I ask you about your first love, I am always secretly hoping that you will say your own name.

[big thanks to bestie for gifting me this book that she really liked. a giddiness always fills my chest when friends share their favorite things with me — especially books. happy reading <3]