lindstove

I started running in 5th grade. 
I started, I realize now,
In the hopes of finally
Being happy with my body.
I wasn't good, no, no, no.
In fact, I sucked.
I would nitpick the littlest thing about myself,

vevses
a friend yells down the hall

veroni

the name from fourth grade i hated until i realized
she had always called me veroni
my not-aunt aunt more-aunt than an aunt
i wonder if it rolls off her tongue

I don’t say “poet” often
It feels wrong on my tongue
“Poet” feels uneasy
 An itchy sweater your mother told you to put on
In a way she has
I’ve been surrounded by “poetry” all my life