NaPoWriMo #7

trE

morning memories


you used to know
exactly what to say
to get me to fall
heart over head for you.

I don’t think I’ve been
as stupid since we
met. two college-aged
women floating through
the hell of living, just trying
to breathe.

I should have known you’d
grind me up into pieces
and leave me hopeless.
“but this is love,” I thought
“this is normal”– to have
my feelings go unacknowledged.

I didn’t know better.
but when I found better,
I did better.

it’s still during the morning
hours when I remember you.
your smile. your voice.
your poetic brilliance.

and now I don’t know
if it was your heart, mind,
or soul I was most attracted
to. I can’t remember.

is that normal?
do you know?
have you ever known?

NaPoWriMo #24

trE

“chaotic beauty” for Walker Lee

Walker’s Blood, Sweat, & Tears ©2024 Tremaine L. Loadholt

she black like blue
beauty trapped in
a lion’s soul–pulling her
out would be death

she’ll come for you in
your dreams and remind
you to call out to
our ancestors–to ululate
in celebration of their
resurrections

you must be out
your raggedy mind to
believe what society
feeds you, love–we
can’t get fat off
of crumbs

we can’t get rich off
of pennies
they’ll spoon-feed you
lies then tell you
you’re crazy

but chaotic beauty sits
in her rockin’ chair
on her wrap-around porch
in the devil heat
of summer
sipping iced tea

she has no ears
for gossip only
time for what matters most

and that’s the stories
of our lives–the stories
of our deaths

bring her wine and flowers
and the blood of angels
as payment for the
newness of self
you’ll receive after
your first meeting
with her

you’ll thank me
later

A good friend of mine published her second book–the one you see above, and it is beyond words for me to express what I think about it. I read it in one sitting and even then, I wished there was more. I am over-the-moon proud of her, and if you see fit, support this woman. I wouldn’t steer you wrong. Wine Flowers & Blood: Or, what the ancestors say when I’m not listening.

NaPoWriMo #23

trE

cherished words

Birthday Cards ©2024 Tremaine L. Loadholt

I can’t really say I’m
a card collector, but
I collect cards . . .

on holidays, just because,
special events, sympathy,
and empathy, and to say
“Thank You”.

but when my arms
hold cherished words
handpicked by loved ones
who have loved me for
decades, I collect their
beauty and it renews
my soul.

nothing is said better
than words dancing on
pure art selected with
YOU in mind, covered in
their own colorful
envelope–mailed or
plopped in your hand
in person.

and nothing can compare
to the feeling I get
when I read those
words repeatedly and
experience
the love they have
for me all over again.