Author: joannaalizio

I’m softer nowa lot worn outin all the right places just the right size loved beforeused beforenot newbutnew to you

A star so brightlike a light. What is it?It must be you, my big shooting star. Thank you for believing in me. By Alba Alba wrote me this poem last night and left it on my pillow. She has this habit of getting out of bed one hundred times to tell me her love tank… Continue reading Mama’s poem

Three seats on an airplane three weeks from now will be filled by three peas in a pod who will travel faraway together laugh together eat, sleep, and explore together get on each other’s nerves altogether but it won’t last forever because we’re birds of a feather we always come back together

I’ve been thinking about the myriad ways we all show up every day at work or as a parent, for our community, as a caregiver or friend, and what the road looks like for us to simply arrive when we have committed to something or someone. There are numerous obstacles to overcome and it can sometimes feel… Continue reading Showing up

One single blade of grass has its own set of rootsdeep down belowwhere it intermingles and interlockswith all the other root systems I know this because I’ve been pulling at them all weekendHands filthyHeart fluttering My garden is my safe placeaway from intrusive thoughts and concerns about who I amand where I am going I’m… Continue reading Filthy and fluttering

It’s one thing to be admired,but quite another to be cherished.You will have tons of admirers,but find someone who cherishes you. Sometimes you meet someone and their energy matches so closely with your own. Sheila is that person for me. She’s the type of woman who sees you and warms your soul. Lately my words… Continue reading Cherished

I am from a big red house full of brothers and sistersfrom Barbies and board games and trips to the chicken coop to gather eggsI am from laundry dried in the sun and peanut butter toastfrom “you are so polite”I am from dessert after dinner and more orange juiceand from piles of wrapping paper on… Continue reading I am from

You painted a pretty picture of me The type of girl you hoped I’d be A model citizen Who fits right in I held on to the frame displaying the girl who boxed me in My grip too strong for too long It suddenly slipped from my fingers Tumbling down and shattered in pieces all… Continue reading Flailing forward

Deep, deep in the woods is where I was leftA remote part of the forest where you can only hear whispersbut not make out the words A dense canopy overhead Not a ray of light would dare travel so far or so low as to find me I knew I wasn’t alone but I felt… Continue reading Out of the woods

Don’t forget totie up the yearinto a pretty little bow. I’m not suggestingyou gloss overthe lows. Rather, I want you to considerdoing yourself a big favorby rememberingthe little momentsthat brought you levity and brightness. It’s within the recallwhere you’ll finally findwhat it all means. Throughout the yearyou are gathering momentslike picking up sticks from the… Continue reading Pretty little bow