In which I explain myself by Alex Dawson

In which I explain myself Alex Dawson I want the garden, not the flowersin their sterile vase, I want the bees,the fruit, the soil under my nails,I want to make a mealof what is true. The grit and griefof life, the words you never said,caught in your throat, I want them like I want the birdsto follow the invitation of the moon. When I was young,someone peeled my eyes widelike wild grapes. Don’t you see?I couldn’t close them if I tried. More from Alex Dawson ↓@alexdawcreates on InstagramSecond Nature on SubstackHer book, All these Living Things, is out nowShe curated and edited the anthology, Upon Learning That: A Collection of Poetry Based on Facts About the Natural World. It is out now.You can listen to me read a poem by Alex that is included in the anthology Upon Learning That over on Instagram @rembrandts.cure Mentioned in this episode:Write After with One Poem OnlyWrite After is a way to encourage poets to listen and write, and use National Poetry Month to highlight how listening to poetry makes us better poets. I know I write the best when I’m surrounded by beautiful poetry–it’s part of the reason I created this podcast, and I want to encourage others to share this practice. If you want to join: Listen to a poem from the month of April on One Poem Only, then write your own in response. I will pick one for each day to read in June for a special series: One Poem After 🍎🍏 Submissions close May 15.Write After Submissions Form