Once again, two more of my poems are on The Poet’s Haven this week! “The Atmosphere I Miss” was included in All the Tiny Anchors, but I always hoped it would find an independent home. The second one, “Record Scratch” has never found a home and I’m very happy it finally has! Both poems are different perspectives of holding on and letting go. Still miss that atmosphere, still hoping the record will unskip itself.
Just got word that two of my poems, “Car Accident, 14 Months Going” and “Death by Rust“, were accepted and published on The Poet’s Haven. Both of these poems were written in early 2013, which feels like a lifetime ago. “Car Accident…” is also in All the Tiny Anchors and “Death…” was included in Cadence Anthology: Year Two. It’s still wonderful to see they are getting some individual love out on the poetry universe.
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!
Woman Word Workers is an event held through the Uptown Market at the Expo Center in Long Beach. The Uptown Market begins on Friday evening, December 4th, in conjunction with Bixby Knolls’ monthly First Fridays celebration. It continues on Saturday, December 5th, from 11 am to 5 pm, with artists and crafters displaying and selling their work.
From 2- 4 pm Women Word Workers will be presenting local women in the Long Beach literary scene, Liz Gonzalez, Nancy Lynee Woo, and myself. Liz has been hosting a new reading series called Uptown Reading and Arts Series in North Long Beach. Nancy Lynee Woo will be discussing and promoting Lucid Moose Lit, and I will be there to represent Sadie Girl Press and Cadence Collective. There will be an open mic for all types of artists, poets, story tellers, and musicians.
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.
Sarah Thursday 