it hit me today–I always knew I had no chance in hell, but I tried to remain confident in my shambled self–maybe I am meant to make others feel good, while remnants of pain catapult me closer to denial.
Have you gotten your copy of my new book: a collection of serial tales & flash fiction, Séduire (E-BookandPaperback) 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 aboutthe most recent events with my place of employment as it pertains to racism and discrimination. I welcome your visit.
no one ever told me aging would mean facial creams lactose alternatives tweezing chin hair or massaging achy knees all before 10 PM
I would’ve appreciated the memo
instead, I’m stuck doing all these things and plucking ingrown hairs from a stubborn chin as I listen to soft soul music via surround sound on a Wednesday night
the dog stands at the master bath’s doorway watching me fit a face that takes so much work to hold up against all odds
I wonder if she has a better way to calm perimenopausal symptoms or if she’s just being so damn nosy
And I just want to say, my body is feeling it, and I’m sure, will be feeling it well into the night and most of this coming week, but it was so worth it!
My skates. I’ve named them, “Salt & Pepa”. I sure did. IYKYK.
I intend to make this a weekly thing; retraining my body toward skating and picking up another source of exercise.
I enjoyed every moment of it, and I am so happy I shook off the fear and jumped back into something I truly love.
I may be getting older, but I won’t let aging sideline me!
here you are; a warm welcome, renewed spirit, confident and secure — a peace I didn’t know I needed. my heart wells up with joy at the thought of your growth — how amazing you are, and the similarities sitting in your heart — so much like your mother but clearly your own self.
I stand in awe of you. I remember when you were born, how happy your parents were, and I lived for the updated photos, stories, and time spent with my little cousin who had a smile that could shame the sun.
so far away, always so far away — yet near enough to dwell in my mind — take up space I had no problem lending. you are a glorious, strong force in a world of terror and pain.
you pick up everything whenever you’re ready, relocate to places with half-hearted moons and split-tongue warriors with gray eyes.
we all live vicariously through you — we may not say it but we think it. free spirit — unafraid to make moves when moves need to be made, and on this, your day of birth, I want you to know that I love you to the full-bodied moon and back again.
there will be pregnant pauses for the rest of my day as I share time with my thoughts to appreciate your existence. happy birthday, Victoria. God gift you years upon years upon years more.
On Tuesday, February 07, 2023, my little cousin (Chrissy’s daughter) celebrated another year on this Earth, and I wrote this for her. Thank you for reading, and for listening, too.Originally published in A Cornered Gurl via Medium.
A Cornered Gurl 
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