A few days ago
and I stalked the shelves of Changing Hands (which is the bookshop in Phoenix) and I picked up a book of poetry based on the title alone. Ready for it? (the direct link is an affiliate link so search directly if you’d rather!)I have so much to say about this unique book of poetry but for now I’ll just tell you it is HIGH on my list of recommendations this summer. As in the top five.
Yesterday I texted Mel, Sarah and Corinne from
and offered one of Jae’s poems titled ‘Second Litany’ as a writing prompt. This morning I sat down and wrote my version. So here we go, baby (please show me yours!)…Second Litany after Jae Nichelle
litany: a series of petitions for use in church services or processions, usually recited by the clergy and responded to in a recurring formula by the people.
I. myself
I am called what I name myself. I name myself whatever the opposite of flaky, bossy, unboundaried is. I name myself Lilith’s daughter, long dark hair and wings like a locust. I have a memory from somewhere else - she’s pulling light from the sun to give it to the moon and I am stringing a yellow glow from my belly to help. I name myself the unbridled, unashamed, untranslatable. I name myself a wild and wise mother. Tell me if you can make sense of the sounds my soul makes while it sheds.
II. A list of bad bitches I know
Wifey showing me life partners aren’t always romantic
Jo laying near me in the dark while I tell details no one else will ever hear
Mel spreading a quilt below a scarred eucalyptus to guide me home
I trust in you
Sister swirling our twin-tinged blood into our grandmother’s stories
Corinne laying her map over mine on the front porch. Our lines match.
Jeanette and her heart unfurled, sweat drenched in a gay bar
I trust in you
Meg reaching for me once and never again letting go
Jessamyn unfolding layers of her soul like an endless world blanket
Cher passing down her winter jacket with so many lives stitched into the seams
I trust in you
Malialani writing endings I long for
Lisa dancing on my side of the desert
Jolene drinking witch tea by my fire
I trust in you
Sarah seeing me in mist covered moss
Carmen glowing below desert sun
Anthony knitting into the fabric of our family
I trust in you
Heather midwifing my vision into life
Faith rolling back her eyes to laugh
Nina clinking glasses and lovers into a toast raised by feral women
I trust in you
Jenn folding laundry on the zoom
Rebecca living in a rounded womb
Danique lacing every word with truth
I trust in you
Paula holding hastily packed luggage on a trail somewhere
Leesha roaring into reclamation
Gina and her reminder that I heard what I heard
I trust in you
Chidimma Lise Natalie Allie Amanda Kait Alexis Sam Kristine Alicia Millie Shellie Crystal Danette Lisa Wendi Suzi Rebecca Victoria Andrea Michelle Cindy Corynn Eleanor Ren Elizabeth Sondra Laura Christy Jordan Nissi Tawny Stefani Jenn Adrienne Shahd Erin Melissa Jordan Sarah Desiree Janae Winona Rebekah Molly Jen Lisa bonfires blazing from wild, wild souls
I trust in you
My daughter. MY DAUGHTER. Daisy the conquerer of scorpions, the untamable, the oracle, the earth laced soul, the medusa haired wilding. Daisy the mirror of who I could’ve been if anyone had seen me. Daisy Annabelle Suzanne, the girl who does not exist to heal anyone else.
I trust in you
III. & the people we should’ve fought
We name ourselves impolite. We turn feral at the scent of a lying husband, a vacant parent, a terrible god. We call ourselves a hive but we do not mean of small buzzing things. We mean dragon hum, scaled armor, tender hearts kept warm by belly fire. We sting with sharp teeth and swinging tails. We should have chomped strong molars over [REDACTED] when she made you get small. We circle back to back like elephants, someone birthing a new life in the very center and we fight to the death to guard them. We do not yield. We do not fold. We do not break rank. We should have intervened before you saw the letter [REDACTED] sent. We should have made sure he was afraid to send it. We are terrifying and only to the wrong ones. We are soft, smooth, relaxed and only to the right ones. We name ourselves a mass dragoning, a matriarchy, a queer and ferocious swarm. Oh my dragons how pretty are your names.
Ohmy. To see myself listed as one of the dragon hive lights me on fire and makes my eyes swell with tears. What a hoard of softness and fight! I've said it before and I'll say it again, to have the chance to witness you and to be witnessed by you is a blessing. Stumbling across Wild Soul set me back on course to myself. (Though I suppose it wasn't a stumbling but an answer to a howl).
"We circle back to back like elephants, someone birthing a new life in the very center and we fight to the death to guard them." Ah yes, this is what has become the work of our lives. Forever and ever.
I read this book last month, and it was my number 1 fave read so far this year! I love Jae Nichelle. She was the first poet I started supporting on Patreon and one of my faves. So glad you stumbled on this book!