Our Last Day Together

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A lamentation

Jernee Timid & I during her fifteen-minute twilight phase. Photo Credit: Karlie B. Cornelius


Fifteen minutes isn’t enough
time to say goodbye to
a best friend.

It’s light work.
A chit-chat session.
An offering for small talk.

I needed forever.
I didn’t get it.

Life is a reminder that
we all meet our demise.
No one is exempt.

My mind knows this.
It has processed the definitive
inevitability of an end date
one thousand times, but
my heart?!

My heart is still on pause.

I worry… how long will
it remain in limbo
while everything else within
me moves without stopping?

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.

Poem for an Image

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#7: Zumi’s Growth

Zumi Tye, my Red-Footed Tortoise, at 18 months old. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

my sweet, unsexed tortoise,
grows quicker than the
sun can set.

meals are three times
per day now.
at this rate, it’ll be
draping over the sides
of its terrarium in less
than two years.

Zumi interacts with me;
it licks the glass and moves
its head from side to side
at the sound of my voice.

I think it knows me.
I think it loves me.

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.

horde escape & on our terms

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Two poems shared on Substack notes

horde escape

you will most likely never find me in
a horde of people looking as though
I’m in a place that carries comfort.

If I am, I assure you, I’m forcing my
body to be at peace, to try to enjoy my
surroundings. I’m never at ease in
those situations.

they are few. they are far between.
the path leading to them fades away
more as the years pile on to my age.

I am not who I used to be, I’m a
new person in an old body.
I’m both familiar and unfamiliar, and this
is what intrigues
you.

on our terms

the most difficult thing I experienced
with Jernee during her decline were the
lucid moments. I feared becoming
looped into their trap.

she wasn’t the same, and I knew
that, heart & soul, but sometimes my
baby would look up at me as if she
recognized my face, and I’d be putty
in five seconds.

“it’s only going to get worse” became the
anthem in my home, followed by, “this
sounds like a brain tumor,” and with
each regressive instance, I was
reassured…

I cut death to the quick, and
offered it a seat at the table.

if it was going to take my baby, it’d
be on our terms.
but was it, though?

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.

He Keeps On Waking Me Up/Thank You Lord

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Lady Harmony, He Keeps On Waking Me Up/YouTube

“I’d never would’ve made it this far without you” is a straight-up testimony that resonates with me.

There were many days when I didn’t feel like getting out of bed, but my eyes were open. My limbs were agile. My heart was beating. I had breath in my lungs.

God did it, and why, I may never know, but I’m so glad he keeps doing it.

This dropped in my spirit during my workout on my Gospel workout mix, and maybe it’ll work for you, too.

I feel like I’m not the only one who needs to be reminded — who really needs to know that God hasn’t given up and will not give up on you.

Hang in there, please. Hang in there.

Peace and blessings.

Poem for an Image

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#6: Saturday lunch

Throwback cooking: I purchased a small can of Crisco All Vegetable Shortening because I was feeling nostalgic, and I’m glad I did. My fish tasted like crispy heaven, and my cheese grits were absolutely delicious! Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

a late lunch, early dinner
after a day of work;
overtime was easy to
get, needed the distraction.

a full belly clapped in
appreciation, my legs
buckled twenty minutes
after–naptime knocked at
my temples, rest found
me in a zone.

I needed the food.
I needed the sleep.

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.

The Sweet Reminder of Dog Heaven

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A Book Review

Dog Heaven by Cynthia Ryfant. Photo Credit: Tremaine L. Loadholt

A writing buddy had the above book delivered to me on Saturday, September 13, 2025. I’d viewed my camera/doorbell’s activity while I was visiting with my mother and noticed someone leaving a package. I hadn’t ordered anything, so my mind began racing about what it could be. Shortly after, I recalled a lovely and talented writing friend of mine requesting my mailing address; confirming it, really, and a lightbulb flickered.

Part of me wanted to get home to see what it could possibly be, and the other part of me wanted to remain right where I was with my mom, so as to not shed any more tears for the weekend.

I was happy to see the above book. Although I would mark the age range for this book for children, ages 4-12, anyone can benefit from reading Dog Heaven. It gave me all the feels and lifted me up during my deepest moments of sorrow.

Below is the review I left for it on Amazon and Goodreads.

I needed this book! 

After recently losing my sweet Little Monster of 17 years, I came home from visiting my mom and found this book at my door.

A writing buddy of mine had it sent to me. Knowing my connection and love for my dog, she thought it would be the perfect gesture. Someone she knows had the same book delivered to her shortly after she dealt with the loss of her dog.

Dog Heaven not only made me smile, but it calmed my heart. It allowed me to shed a few tears while reflecting on the best memories I have of my time spent with my little one. It made me believe my purpose was fulfilled with my dog.

Chock full of happy feelings, sweet illustrations, and a loving storyline for everyone to enjoy, Dog Heaven is a great book to gift to someone grieving and dealing with a fresh loss of their pet.

It’s a tiny glimmer of hope, sprinkled with joy, and wrapped in love.

Grief is going to continue to come in waves. Mourning will only be as beautiful and self-serving as I will allow it, but this book… this book helped me immediately after the change in my life felt like real change.

If you know anyone dealing with the loss of their pet, I recommend this book. It is truly near and dear to my heart now, and I could not have asked for anything better.

Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-Book and Paperback) yet?

I recently signed up to write on Substack as well. Poking the Bear’s Belly for Fun is a place of healing as I speak about the most recent events with a previous place of employment, as it pertains to racism and discrimination, growth from the transition after resigning from that company, and life’s foibles and overall experiences. I welcome your visit.