I run from myself catch a corner of feeling accept this moment of liberation
as skin of bruised clouds darkens a prickling tingle goosebumps my arms airwaves gather energy sparks
our tilted world revolves a turning we have never been able to feel yet know as truth
a shift occurring between/from who are the others who are the us
we ride around the sun evolving regardless of our position or noticing
recycled drops of rain
This poem was first published in MasticadoresUSA 2022.
May poems continue to help us understand the many experiences of human beings. May poems continue to help us learn to pause and listen. May poems help us celebrate the gift of being alive.
Sitting with a bowl of fresh picked blueberries, I pop a handful in my mouth. Holding their sweetness, closing my eyes to absorb the flavor. I have waited months for this taste and will not take it for granted. This small celebratory act seems like the perfect way to honor Andrea Gibson whose words always reminded me to be present to the gifts of being alive. Tears fall for the loss of this poet today; mine, and many, many others. Andrea is someone I have never met and someone who changed me. How beautifully unimaginable to have lost someone so dear after only knowing them from their poems that offered a rope of connection, courage to live heart wide open, inspiration to keep going. I will cherish my small bowl of blue magic in honor of all the words Andrea put into the world.
I am grateful to be a part of the Stafford Challenge Anthology 2024-25 which includes 200 poems from an international community of poets who committed to writing a poem a day for a year.
Featuring original work from acclaimed poets like Kim Stafford, Naomi Shihab Nye, CMarie Fuhrman, and more, this collection represents just a fraction of the thousands of poems written between January 17, 2024, and January 16, 2025, by the poets of The Stafford Challenge community. Inspired by the daily writing practice of William Stafford, these writers—from seasoned poets to those discovering their voices—dedicated themselves to this yearlong poetic journey, and each poem here stands as a tribute to that commitment.
This collection is a celebration of the creative spirit, dedicated to anyone who has ever felt the deep pull of language, creativity, and the desire to express something potent and true.
Purchasing Options
The Stafford Challenge 2024-25 Anthology can be found in both paperback and ebook formats at all major bookstores and retailers. Please use the links below for our preferred purchasing options.
"Imagine a garbage can," she said, "whatever size you desire."
My garbage can was the extra large green container the type you pull to the curb so big you can't lift it. I saw myself throwing in rocks of worry, dirt clods of sorrow, and flinging feelings of anxiety. All these emotions turned into things I could hold and heave. They all landed in the can with a satisfying sound.
"Now watch it be hauled away by the truck."
I wanted that relief of seeing it all carried away but instead I said, "I need another one."
Her voice replied, "You can have as many as you need."
flashlight batteries - Ali Grimshaw 