Redefining north.

letter to death ending with red umbrellas in a field by J. David

letter to death ending with red umbrellas in a field by J. David

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Associate poetry editor Kenley Alligood on today’s bonus poem: I am thrilled to have the honor of introducing poet (and fellow Julien Baker fan) J. David’s work. This piece shimmers with color and surprise at every line. With a voice that is assured and emphatic while remaining tender and, at times, almost whimsical, “Letter to Death...” is a poem I can’t stop thinking about.

letter to death ending with red umbrellas in a field

after Emily Pettit

you can call a yellow bird a yellow bird and mean
the night i stopped loving myself it rained popsicles.
you can say i caught you skipping moon-rocks
            across the puddle-jump of my heart and mean
                        yellow birds scale trees as yellow birds do.
once, i felt nothing and the bright balloon above the sky
asked me to consider the source of all my unhappiness—
i still want to know the dispersal mechanics of a dandelion
            and have conversations with hermit crabs
about the glad gadget that is the heart.
and sir, i don’t need to know why i’m here
i just want to know where the red umbrellas came from.


J. David is from Cleveland, Ohio and edits Flypaper Lit. They love Julien Baker.

Minneapolis by Karstin Hale

Minneapolis by Karstin Hale

To Wendy, Who Left a False Eyelash on the Toilet Seat by Casey Smith

To Wendy, Who Left a False Eyelash on the Toilet Seat by Casey Smith

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