BY JOANNA C. VALENTE
Here are some poems to read when you aren't sure what to read or what to spend time on, because time is precious.
1. Kristin Chang - Necromancy
At birth, my mother
nicked off her nipples
______so I’d never be fed
a future. She buries my teeth
______in the backyard & I search
on all fours, hold
______my own leash & a blade
as chaperone.
2. Angel Nafis - When I Realize I’m Wearing My Girlfriend’s Ex-Girlfriend’s Panties
You lead me here
to this open space. To two-step with
beloved ghosts, a past
that is too a garden.
Do not un-wish a single blade of grass.
For the house craves each brick.
The war, every bullet.
This is my gift.
3. Ariel Francisco - Translating My Dad's Love Poems
Today I will
not think of you, Today I will not
think of you.
Joanna C. Valente is a human who lives in Brooklyn, New York. They are the author of Sirs & Madams (Aldrich Press, 2014),The Gods Are Dead (Deadly Chaps Press, 2015), Marys of the Sea (Operating System, 2017), Sexting Ghosts (Unknown Press, 2018), Xenos (Agape Editions, 2016), and the editor of A Shadow Map: Writing by Survivors of Sexual Assault (CCM, 2017). They received their MFA in writing at Sarah Lawrence College. Joanna is the founder of Yes Poetry and the managing editor for Luna Luna Magazine. Some of their writing has appeared in Brooklyn Magazine, Prelude, BUST, Spork Press, and elsewhere. Joanna also leads workshops at Brooklyn Poets. joannavalente.com / Twitter: @joannasaid / IG: joannacvalente