Even when
Even when you have everything you need the voice turns to hand & holding
a dull kitchen knife – like the one you use to sshhhllllttt open the Amazon box – cuts you wide then points inside to that writhing worm of envy slick & shiny teeth biting at the cold air wall of being caught This the voice slimes This

Yesterday, my comparison monster reared her scraggle-tooth face. She’s still here…spreading her wings of envy and flapping them at my face. I’m looking at her. Watching her. Giving her space to exist. I’m preparing some poetry to submit, and tomorrow and the next night I’ll be reading and talking with other writers. It all makes me nervous and emotional and contemplative and my monsters come out. The process of deciding what poems to read before a reading is important. I want to be prepared. I want to read what my heart and mind wants to read. I want to be able to speak passionately and confidently about the work, the words, the meanings…but always, precisely as I’m beginning this process, my courage slips out the back door and goes for a long run. The monsters move in. I have to go to battle for my work. I’ll handle it. But this is where I’m at. Today. If you’re here too or ever have been…here’s a hand. My hand. Nobody’s free of the monsters.

TOMORROW 8PM!
Palimpsest Press Spring Book Launch!
REGISTER HERE!
With Margaret Christakos, Nathaniel G. Moore, Tolu Oloruntoba, and Vanessa Shields.
Hosted by Jim Johnstone.
May 13, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/…/reg…/WN_A3mt8lITSBWAYePM55x13g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
It’s so true…here’s my hand darling 🤚 ❤️
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thank you! i feel it!! squeeeeeze!
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Hi Vanessa, Oh, you are indeed “ an honest writer!”
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Hi Vanessa,
This is so powerful, so “ right on”.
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