There is so much emotion coming through in such a short piece, wow. The opening lines on the phone set the tone for the entire piece exactly right. As the parent (I picture a mother) wanders the daughter's room, every detail orients us inside the very personal space and adds background and color to the relationship between them. My heart just kind of poured out at the end, how could it not, to read about her anguish at her loss but also her acceptance, too, and the hope she has for her daughter's future. This is a truly wholesome hug of a story.
There's so much I like about this story! Your similes definitely pop: the Canadian geese, the inchworm, and especially the teenage boy trying to pick up a girl with the grace of a newborn deer -- ha! Choosing ice cream as the end goal your character is trying to reach adds so much humor to the piece. Your ability to set up a kind of casual suspense -- we know something is the cause of the jam, and eventually that something will be revealed -- is superb as well! I think I would have loved a clue to that cause beforehand, maybe some musings about the sea or the environment or animals in general rather than the health care system, perhaps (although I totally agree with you on that!). I really enjoyed reading your work!
I so applaud you for taking a "taboo" topic like periods and turning it into something beautiful. There is such power and strength in this piece, which was a wonderful surprise (I originally read the line "It destroys us in every way" and thought the poem was going to take a different turn). I also love that you did not shy away from the word "blood" itself, without ever taking this in a graphic direction (although I feel that kind of angle in writing has merit too). You've shed off the ridiculous, unnecessary shame I felt when I was young and found pride instead, and for that, you have my greatest respect and appreciation!
This is pure poetry. Every word feels is pregnant with meaning, and yet so figurative; every phrase is up for interpretation, shimmers visually, and is flowing or has an intentional clipped effect in the mind's ear. I read this three times and found new surprises and subtleties on both second reads.
There is so much emotion coming through in such a short piece, wow. The opening lines on the phone set the tone for the entire piece exactly right. As the parent (I picture a mother) wanders the daughter's room, every detail orients us inside the very personal space and adds background and color to the relationship between them. My heart just kind of poured out at the end, how could it not, to read about her anguish at her loss but also her acceptance, too, and the hope she has for her daughter's future. This is a truly wholesome hug of a story.
There's so much I like about this story! Your similes definitely pop: the Canadian geese, the inchworm, and especially the teenage boy trying to pick up a girl with the grace of a newborn deer -- ha! Choosing ice cream as the end goal your character is trying to reach adds so much humor to the piece. Your ability to set up a kind of casual suspense -- we know something is the cause of the jam, and eventually that something will be revealed -- is superb as well! I think I would have loved a clue to that cause beforehand, maybe some musings about the sea or the environment or animals in general rather than the health care system, perhaps (although I totally agree with you on that!). I really enjoyed reading your work!
I so applaud you for taking a "taboo" topic like periods and turning it into something beautiful. There is such power and strength in this piece, which was a wonderful surprise (I originally read the line "It destroys us in every way" and thought the poem was going to take a different turn). I also love that you did not shy away from the word "blood" itself, without ever taking this in a graphic direction (although I feel that kind of angle in writing has merit too). You've shed off the ridiculous, unnecessary shame I felt when I was young and found pride instead, and for that, you have my greatest respect and appreciation!
This is pure poetry. Every word feels is pregnant with meaning, and yet so figurative; every phrase is up for interpretation, shimmers visually, and is flowing or has an intentional clipped effect in the mind's ear. I read this three times and found new surprises and subtleties on both second reads.
Thank you so much for writing this. I really related to this.
Thank you so much!!!
What a gift to be really seen and loved and appreciated by another person – you and Papa Simmons clearly share that gift. This is beautiful, Stargirl!
thank you!
Thank you so much, just saw your email!
This is the Worcester Cathedral, but the stained glass at all of them is so cool :)