I have spent this week
making quilts for loved ones
neck hurting, heart aching
letting decay inspire
letting walls break, fall
autumn sun and breeze
in through these windows
hoping your stomach is full
hoping you are a light with
of everything you hum for
hoping you’ve laughed with
all you’re being today
what I want is to keep you as
warm as you would like to be
dear to my heart
let me draw you a picture
to keep you safe
what I want is to
nourish you in the ways
you want me to, and
the ways I am able
appreciation and a meal
admire as I listen and witness
your expression of spirit
what I love about you is
your loving of decay
you know this, and love my
passionate decomposition
I fall apart to make way
for honest clarity
I break (open) to clear space
for a more beautiful world
a downed tree amongst forest
nearby meadow, desert, sky, sea
the impact of a ripple
I see a larger picture
myself in this ecosystem
I see all of you
neighbor and kin
I see soil
lowering myself to meet it
I am ready to be Earth
as I have always been
let saplings grow from me
let mushrooms love on me
let you stretch into the sunlight I leave
hoping you benefit
from everything I have processed
through my wooden fluid body
up in quilted canopy
speak via wind to your brethren
of any and every kind
as we grow and decay
it has been a pleasure to know you
reborn indefinitely
our matter is finite—
though infinitely arranged
sewing small peaces
into something for your comfort
dismantling seams again, to remember
my destruction can lead with intention
a vision of hope— when she wants to
unravel to re-weave
we spiral and
we do not come back the same
let the process change you
the process is changing
what did you think life was
when you were born,
but a breath and a cry for connection.
Listen below to an audio recording of me reading the poem: “A Week Of Quilting”
In the Spirit of Giving
A friend of mine is crowdfunding to help them pay for their top surgery this February! They are over halfway their goal but could still use your help <3
Donate to Jess’s Gofundme here and read their ask
If you would like to know more about top surgery, what it is, and why it is important, etc. I recommend doing a quick google, as well as reading accounts by folks who have received the procedure.
In Gratitude,
Elayna Sturm
they/xe/she/he
💖I love the cycle XO