I am honored to have my poem, “Bows”, included in the next anthology by Don Kingfisher Campbell, Spectrum 2: The Gift, centered around the theme of gifts. The release will be December 19th, at the Santa Catalina Branch Library on 999 E. Washington Blvd. in Pasadena, at 3 pm. There 61 poets in this edition, including some of my favorites: Teresa Mei Chuc, Beverly Collins, Boris Ingles, and Jeri Thompson!
when sun falls in dim slants
through holes in thin curtains
you can see the universe of dust
they have not traveled here
but revealed by narrow sunbeams
in the quiet light of morning
suddenly, I am afraid to breathe
the enormity of it
billions of particles floating
hovering like microscopic gnats
when I see them swarming
I can’t let them in my lungs
molecules of dead skin and ash
lit up as thick as stars flickering
landing in my living room
I can’t tell anyone how
we are always swallowing
parts of each other
I have to keep it secret
so I open up the curtains wide
for ancient light to swallow
this exact moment in time
and deliver it to the past
First published in East Jasmine Review.
On December 4th & 5th, Sadie Girl Press will be joining Lucid Moose Lit for the bi-annual Uptown Village Market at the Expo Center in Bixby Knolls. Beginning with the monthly First Fridays event from 6-9 pm, and continuing on Saturday, December 5th from 11-5, we will have a table set up in the Expo Center with our books to sell, information about our projects, and clothing collection drive for a local women’s shelter.
On Saturday, from 2-4, we will join liz gonzález of the Uptown Word Reading & Art Series for a special event called “Women Word Workers”, featuring local Long Beach women making an impact in the literacy scene. Nancy Lynée Woo, liz gonzález, and myself, Sarah Thursday, will read our work and share what we are doing for our community. There will also be an open mic for anyone to share a poem, song, story, or other form of expression.
Join us at the Expo Center at 4321 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807, on December 4th & 5th! Follow our Facebook event for more details.
It’s home movies on a reel-to-reel.
Light is always dim, pouring in
from thin covered windows.
He is carpenter, framing houses.
Long days in the sun tan his skin,
make him sleep late on weekends.
We play Ambulance anytime I bump my head,
scrape my shin. He lifts me over his shoulders
and mocks sirens rushing hurried to hospitals.
He lays me down like a patient and makes me giggle,
fingertips under the arms, across the belly.
For seconds, I forget.
I am a laughing four-year-old unafraid.
Until I am not. Until the looming frame of him
scrapes ceilings, pulls in the weight of rooftops
down into the darkest room, windows covered thick.
He does not lock his door. I play the secret game
of Find the place he is not. Stay quiet enough
and he won’t see you close the door.
He will not call after you.
Scratches flicker across film spliced memories
as the reel hums, tick-tick-tick-tick-tick.
First appeared in East Jasmine Review.
Very excited to have a poem published in the newest issue of Yellow Chair Review! “Oil-Black” is one about my grandfather I wrote shortly after his death last year. I had the hardest time setting on revisions for this poem, but decided it was time to send it out into the world. There are many fine poems in this issue, including one from my friend, Jeri Thompson. Enjoy!
The 5th poem on the site, On the Grid Zine, is “Smiling at Strangers“. It’s actually one I wrote a few years back. Sometimes you got to push yourself out of your comfort zone to make progress. In some ways, I’ve never looked back.
My 4th poem, “How I Stopped Naming Lost Things“, on the new site, On the Grid Zine. Sometimes life gets you all turned around and you just live with your current state. Take a moment to read some other poems and stories on this lovely site about mental health.
3rd poem on the new site, On the Grid Zine, all about mental health! I wrote “Base of My Spine” a few years ago, but the feeling still applies. My body and my mind in tension. Take a moment to read and look at the others!
2nd poem up on On the Grid Zine! This one is “Colors for Bruising” and was one of my more recently written poems. I’m glad it found a home on a site for such an important topic as our mental health.
Very excited to have the first of 5 poems, “Dancing with Damage“, posted on On the Grid Zine, a new site dedicated to mental health. Check out them out and send them poetry, essays, and stories about your mental health!
Sarah Thursday 