Today’s poem was part of a special launch schedule during National Poetry Month from April 1—30, 2024. I posted a new poem daily for 17 days and then got knocked off schedule because…I moved! This challenge restarted on May 1 and continues for the 13 days I missed. The final summary of all poems will be sent to all subscribers on May 24 and otherwise can be viewed for free in the archives here. Thank you for being here!
“IDENTITY CRISIS”
At 12, the declaration: I’m not an artist, I’m a designer. And now, the sneaking suspicion: That was just the eldest daughter in me. A voice still leaving burn marks in an ice pond in December. At 27, the escape: Packed up a single piece of luggage, Mint-green and then pristine, And left. Looked back, looked all the way back, The torrid memories, all the what-ifs, I didn’t know, how could I know. Years later, when they called me an artist After I’d already made up my mind, I didn’t believe them. Not the first time, nor the second, Maybe not even the third. Now he has a kid, maybe two, Maybe the many that were promised. His dream come true, Mine, work in progress, Every meter full of the abandoned, And the real truth of my matter: To be continued.
P.S.
I don’t write love poems but I do write escape poems.