Listen (Here)

I should probably not admit this . . . But I was looking through Inkling last night and found a poem that I don't even remember putting in the book. Now, I'm not saying I have each of my books memorized (because I definitely don't), but I loved realizing that there are even surprises for me within my own works.

LISTEN isn't really the longest section in Inkling, but I think it does have a higher concentration of longer poems. For me, longer poems don't necessarily mean more thoughts or emotions are packed within. Generally, it really just means that more clarification is needed. I like when things are concise, broken down to their simplest or most base level. So when I'm writing something that's not quite as condensed, I'm usually trying to explore multiple facets at once. Which makes the middle part of LISTEN feel much more like I'm processing and trying to see how I think and feel about those topics.

Getting real for a second, this week has kind of been terrible for me. I've been going through the similar cycles of grief, anger, and questioning that I was experiencing when I was writing the poems in Inkling. So when I was flipping through the book hunting for some promo stuff (sticking mostly to LISTEN), I was a little taken aback by how much of what I was reading felt like it was more applicable today than all those years ago. Now I'm not claiming to be "just that good" a poet/writer, but I do really love when rereads can have an equally or even more significant impact than an initial reading.

So for me, while I really do love it all and have favorite pieces sprinkled throughout Inkling, LISTEN holds a particular piece of my heart. And reading through it, just after crying and surrounded by family and nature and warmth, I just felt much more settled and prepared to process in a more intentional way. If my words could help someone else through their difficult time(s), then that is really more of a dream than something as singular as being published. I hope that there is a level of renewal in my books that keeps them relevant and helpful for years to come. 🖤