Poetic Interlude - Jasmine Vallejo-Love reading “My Response When the Instructor Prompted Us to Craft a Poem About Flowers at a Time Like This”

How has your lineage influenced how you rest? In this Poetic Interlude, Jasmine Vallejo-Love shares her poem “My Response When the Instructor Prompted Us to Craft a Poem About Flowers at a Time Like This” and a reflection prompt on rest. Creative expression is a portal to rest as liberation. Creatives, including poets, show us how to embrace our humanity and act on our truths. We in The Rest of Us community view this as a deep connection to one’s own agency — our definition of rest. Settle into the work of Jasmine Vallejo-Love and even explore your own creativity, which we define as liberatory rest.ABOUT JASMINE VALLEJO-LOVEJASMINE VALLEJO-LOVE is a disabled Afro-Puerto Rican American poet and writer raised in the Bronx and living in Los Angeles. Her work explores familial healing, love, and self-discovery, and engages with social issues such as mental illness, domestic violence, addiction, and sexual assault. Jasmine is a Diana Woods Memorial Award finalist, 2025 Lambda Literary Emerging LGBTQ Voices Fellow, and was selected for workshops with PEN America’s Emerging Voices, VONA, and McCormack. Her work has been anthologized and appears or is forthcoming in journals such as Pinch, Lunch Ticket, and Cholla Needles. Jasmine’s work has also been selected for a Quippy Choice Award.Visit Jasmine at vallejolovelife.com. Say “hello” to Jasmine on Instagram @CafecitowithJas.You can also visit therestofuspodcast.com to read Jasmine's poem and reflection prompt, along with other featured poets in the Poetic Interlude community.Note: “My Response When the Instructor Prompted Us to Craft a Poem About Flowers at a Time Like This” was first published in Pinch.PODCAST TEAMHost, Dana Tenille WeekesProducer, Annabelle OhEditor, Sagheer MuhammadContent Manager, Annabelle OhIf this episode feels like a message or mirror, feel free to share it with someone who is looking to think about rest differently. 🎙️ Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. ⭐ Leave a 5-star review. (We are grateful for you doing so.) Until next time, rest, my friends.Connect with Us Website:www.therestofuspodcast.com  Instagram:@therestofus.podcast@danatenilleweekesSubstack:@therestofuspodcastLinkedIn:Dana Tenille Weekes