NaPoWriMo #7

morning memories


you used to know
exactly what to say
to get me to fall
heart over head for you.

I don’t think I’ve been
as stupid since we
met. two college-aged
women floating through
the hell of living, just trying
to breathe.

I should have known you’d
grind me up into pieces
and leave me hopeless.
“but this is love,” I thought
“this is normal”– to have
my feelings go unacknowledged.

I didn’t know better.
but when I found better,
I did better.

it’s still during the morning
hours when I remember you.
your smile. your voice.
your poetic brilliance.

and now I don’t know
if it was your heart, mind,
or soul I was most attracted
to. I can’t remember.

is that normal?
do you know?
have you ever known?

Happy 16th Birthday, Jernee Timid!

Zumi Tye meeting Jernee Timid for the first time on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Today is my favorite Chorkie’s birthday. Jernee Timid Loadholt has been a part of my life since she was one day shy of 7 weeks old. To see that she has made it to age 16 is a MILESTONE. All the dogs I have known and loved, in my life, did not make it to this age.

It’s a beautiful thing to witness my own dog reach such a long and winding path of life. She’s not feeling well today, but maybe that’ll change. Whatever she wants to do, she can.

You’re only 16 once. ❤️💜💙

HAPPY SWEET 16 JERNEE TIMID LOADHOLT!