Realizing that desire isn't all about pleasure, it's also about leaning into what it would be like to share hidden truths we've never uttered from our mouths. Thank you for the "I never told you" prompt:
I never told you how it felt when you sighed that disappointed
You’re not who I wanted you to be, breathe my way
Or how my heart dropped into my stomach
Where it longed to be held and noticed
And hear the words slip through your lips
Uttering how you finally got how you hurt me and let me down
You could do this because you finally found the courage to look in the mirror
And stop thinking you are better than others
Slowly recognizing it's ok to make mistakes
They don’t define you
You can mend broken hearts with words
That let me know you believe in me
Even if I don’t always get it right
You are proud of the impact I’m having on others’ lives,
Alix the JESUS BOMB. Seriously, what is it that you do when you write out these prompts? I am exhausted, hungover from a migraine, filled with the intent to deliberately write NOTHING for a few days, then I read your freaking prompts and my brain is filled with a swarm of eager bees. Seriously. You. Are. MAGIC.
Thank you for sharing and being an inspiration, Alix! I had to stop and write a poem before I got to the end of your newsletter as the "things I couldn't say out loud" prompt triggered something in me that had to come out immediately. I've written several poems about my father since I started writing poetry seriously, but this one was different. Complicated. Not just soft and understanding. I'm still sitting with it. Not sure if it's finished. Not sure if I dare to share it with the world. But I appreciate you igniting this particular fire.
Unable to sleep - yesterday was crazy! - I finally got out of bed and began writing, reading, then writing some more at 12:22 a.m. Some damn fine poetry along the way, a thrilling chapter in Fourth Wing (!), and a poem that positively burst through the maelstrom of thoughts that kept me wide-eyed and awake for more than two hours.
Unwittingly, I wrote a poem during that time that I probably read and reread, revising, tweaking it here and there until I returned to my bed - and even then, new ideas kept popping into my head which I dutifully recorded on my cell phone Notes app.
This morning, I played with it some more and - can I say this?!? - I am absolutely in love with this poem. It fits perfectly into the first prompt listed above: it voices desire, it is lush and strange and maybe even, to me, a tiny bit holy. I hope to share it when we gather next Saturday!
Kim's poetry (To The Woman In The Next Stall) unabashedlywitnesses raw; that another line dares to follow the last demeans hysteria.
A snippet of fire 🔥…
Our lips had not touched for so long
When they came together
I was no longer the same person
Realizing that desire isn't all about pleasure, it's also about leaning into what it would be like to share hidden truths we've never uttered from our mouths. Thank you for the "I never told you" prompt:
I never told you how it felt when you sighed that disappointed
You’re not who I wanted you to be, breathe my way
Or how my heart dropped into my stomach
Where it longed to be held and noticed
And hear the words slip through your lips
Uttering how you finally got how you hurt me and let me down
You could do this because you finally found the courage to look in the mirror
And stop thinking you are better than others
Slowly recognizing it's ok to make mistakes
They don’t define you
You can mend broken hearts with words
That let me know you believe in me
Even if I don’t always get it right
You are proud of the impact I’m having on others’ lives,
Not because you need me to be someone I’m not,
But because you see me, the real me,
Under the veil of righteousness, you hide behind
So I never told you
Alix the JESUS BOMB. Seriously, what is it that you do when you write out these prompts? I am exhausted, hungover from a migraine, filled with the intent to deliberately write NOTHING for a few days, then I read your freaking prompts and my brain is filled with a swarm of eager bees. Seriously. You. Are. MAGIC.
Thanks friend ❤️❤️❤️❤️ hope you feel better soon - the bees need you rested
I totally love these prompts, I'll be linking you when the poetreh drops 🌷
Yeesss!!!
Thank you for sharing and being an inspiration, Alix! I had to stop and write a poem before I got to the end of your newsletter as the "things I couldn't say out loud" prompt triggered something in me that had to come out immediately. I've written several poems about my father since I started writing poetry seriously, but this one was different. Complicated. Not just soft and understanding. I'm still sitting with it. Not sure if it's finished. Not sure if I dare to share it with the world. But I appreciate you igniting this particular fire.
Oh I’m so so glad it sparked something for you. ❤️❤️
Unable to sleep - yesterday was crazy! - I finally got out of bed and began writing, reading, then writing some more at 12:22 a.m. Some damn fine poetry along the way, a thrilling chapter in Fourth Wing (!), and a poem that positively burst through the maelstrom of thoughts that kept me wide-eyed and awake for more than two hours.
Unwittingly, I wrote a poem during that time that I probably read and reread, revising, tweaking it here and there until I returned to my bed - and even then, new ideas kept popping into my head which I dutifully recorded on my cell phone Notes app.
This morning, I played with it some more and - can I say this?!? - I am absolutely in love with this poem. It fits perfectly into the first prompt listed above: it voices desire, it is lush and strange and maybe even, to me, a tiny bit holy. I hope to share it when we gather next Saturday!
I can’t wait to hear it!! I love that it came through for you in the night