a literary playground

By: Miro

About The Piece:

i don’t know what i’m doing is about wanting to unapologetically embody one’s full self but being fearful of the repercussions the choices one makes (or doesn’t) in order to reach that full self—an anxious push and pull.

i am a thread unraveled sifting through this tangled mess
with hope quickly losing in search of a start,
or an end, i’m not sure. i recognize miracles all over:
how many times has a choice halted right at the edge
of it-could’ve-been-so-much-worse! now i’m tethered
to’t–something will happen, something will be learned,
yes, i can always make choices yet here i remain, furiously
tightening the knot. prayers asking for a nudge in the right direction
go unanswered. it’s subjective, after all, the right direction,
maybe i shoulda been more specific or (slow to learn) taken
the hint remembering i’m the magician–be not afraid to live
for the plot, that ol’ chestnut. but i am holding my breath for fear
my lungs might run out of air so i’d rather miss out
on the tempo of joy this summer than risk another choice,
terrified i’ll never fill the void. the two can exist at once. i want to
come to the dinner party, i want to be the bat that eats the stars wild
in this existence–i know grace draws breath in the clutter,
where? another day went by and i didn’t find it–guess
i’ll ask more questions and strive to make more sense
or be brave and reclaim the nonsense. try not to worry so much,
i’m told easily said. there’s a comfort in watching it all drift by knowing
i’ll be in bed by nine.

About The Artist:

Miro is a poet based in NYC. Her work has previously been published in Bullshit Lit, [InHerSpaceJournal], and A Thin Slice of Anxiety among others. Her debut collection of poetry, Ebb and Flow, was released in 2021 by Read or Green Books. When Miro isn’t putting words on the page, you can find her eyebrows deep in a book. Check out what’s she’s reading on IG @miroreadsbooks.