The Lizzy Co Show

THE MOON OR FENTANYL The first two weeks of love pluck out your eyes, Inject you with the finest fentanyl. Those blankets-tossing leave you mummified, But there are many worse ways to be killed. The moon watches from far away and laughs: How lovely, to see her fine influence Reflected in the curling toes and gasps Of lovers who cannot foresee the end. The sightless monster roams the land, seeking That dope he used to smoke when he was young, Some sensation to make life worth living. Those first two weeks of love: he had them, once. The moon or fentanyl, it’s up to you. Most drugs will lie. Love won't tell you the truth. New poems and podcasts every Sunday. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

Inspired by Nobody’s Girl and the recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. KISS THE FEET THAT FROZE I had one myself: A cousin not really a cousin, A person who taught me that once a door closes It might not easily open, Not in my own time, anyway, But at some distant point on the line, I and those memories Both made their escape in the night. No one holds words in their teeth to respond to the story. It requires lines that folks wish didn’t exist, So they take time to assemble, Tumble out oddly, teetering, fumbling. Trained to be his humble helpmeet, Raised up in the glory of suffering, Good thing I contain multitudes, because There was never enough of me. What an absolute, glass-smashing disaster To rend the body of someone so small. Give me shards over hands, give me finding the fault, Give me something to keep me from punching a hole in the wall. Now, comes the part where I make the patented Lizzy Co positive twist, Take a left in the road to drop off the folks who don’t want to know, Reassure them that the world still has its mighty sunrise glow, And life contains its gifts. The souls who can stay Weren’t born that way. I bow to the people who rattled the same bars I had to, I kiss the feet that froze when they couldn’t run. I can barely behold you for blinking from brightness. Don't you understand what a lantern you've become? Your light burned away all the unlovely madness. It's not your fault you were the chosen one. Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

THE NIGHT CAFE Step inside the night cafe: It opens after dark. Baristas froth moon-lattes, And there’s lots of room to park. To pass on by the night cafe Would be a crying shame. Who wouldn’t want to be someplace Where people know your name? A special thing occurs when the stars rise. The doors to the cafe all come unlocked, But no matter how hard you squint your eyes, You won't spot the key-holder. (She’s a fox.) She’s not the only animal you’ll meet If you venture into the night cafe. This place is host to many gentle beasts: Slow-moving vegetarians...mostly. An octopus works four groupheads at once, Steaming the milk just-so as coffee pours. Here, the wait is short, and if your funds Are low, someone will spot you. (But, of course!) A lone wolf washes dishes in the back. In his case, the night cafe provides A bit of time and some space from the pack. He scours, rinses, wipes the cups bone-dry. Some strange hybrid of creature works the till, A thing all feathered, muscular, and free, Alive in the sunlight and counting bills. (That sweet, bizarre, lovely creature is me.) So won’t you come into the night cafe? The candlelight is bright enough for words. Have a seat, your drink is on the way. Your plate is brought to you by chirping birds. When you’re all done, just know you’re welcome back, Each evening, when the sun turns down its sheets. The night cafe will give you what you lack. The night cafe will meet your every need. Thank you for supporting my work.See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

FEBRUARY 7, 2026What is the center stone?Is it the man having a tantrum I bounced from the building?Maybe it’s the baby wearing tiny winter boots.Perhaps, the little girl who loves hot chocolate,Or the gleeful perimenopausals cracking each other up.It might be the perfect breakfast sandwich I brought home.It could even be the lover who waits to turn me into the full moon.Hello there, you handful of bright and dark sparkles.Give me some time.I’ll place you just right.-Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

TEXTS BETWEEN JESUS* AND MY MOM*pretend Jesus is whatever authority figure you want●●Please keep my baby girl this little forever.She’s so perfect.I’ll never let anything happen to her.●I know, she’s a real gem.My dad did a great job when he made her.Enjoy her while she’s this little, because she’ll be grown in a blink.Remember to let people help you out with her.I’m supposed to be the hero around here, not you.●I have to do everything myself to make sure nobody messes anything up and hurts her.If I look away and something happens, I’ll never forgive myself.But, I promise I’ll do a perfect job.●It’s not your forgiveness that matters, it’s mine, remember?And, you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be good.Please, please take a nap, drink some water, and let somebody pitch in.You’ve got good neighbors and friends around you, and a husband who actually wanted children.My mom wouldn’t want you to have as hard of a time as she did, kiddo.●My baby used to be so sweet and now she’s cranky all the time.It seems like the better she gets at walking, the angrier she gets.She’s so disobedient that I’m scared she’ll end up in Hell if I’m not careful.I know I’m going to Heaven and the thought of not seeing my baby again in the afterlife is just not acceptable.Please tell me what to do.●It’s all about love, remember?Well, sometimes it’s about flipping tables, but mostly it’s about love.So, just love her.When you’re cranky, there’s always a reason why, so put on your detective hat and figure out what’s got her so upset.She’s not doing it to be a pain in the ass, she’s trying to tell you something is wrong.Be the adult my father grew you to be.I’ll be watching.●This little girl doesn’t appreciate how good her life is compared to mine.She won’t offer anything up for the souls in purgatory the way I’m supposed to teach her and I’m losing my mind.No matter how many times I spank her, she just keeps being a nasty little witch.I’m trying so hard to keep her safe from Hell so she can enter your Kingdom and she just seems to want to burn.●I hear you, I really do.Look, I know we both had tough starts in life, but that doesn’t have to be something you have in common with your daughter.I didn’t die the way I did just so you could keep on suffering too.The wars you’ve been fighting are over and you’re just swinging at nightmares, kiddo.She doesn’t need to be scared of the world to be a good kid.●I haven’t heard from you in a while, but she’s been talking to me quite a bit.Please don’t make me come down there again.●If you two have such a great relationship, she’s your problem.I’m done.Lizzy’s Mom has notifications silenced●●(If this poem moved you, please consider participating in the Minnesota relief effort. There are so many children there.)Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

DIFFERENT, KINDER◎ICE rains on a frigid city.A new diamond glitters on a young woman’s hand.◎Waters warm that should be frozen.A child knows butter for the first time.◎A hard memory surfaces that I didn’t know was there.A different, kinder one rises to meet.●Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

IT DISAGREES WITH THE INTERNET◎Glittering key-claws,Dance on the spot, scan the clock:Rules for good girls, laws.◎There never really was a monster lurking:I was spinning alone in the dark,The ghost stories were working.◎Twenty years of moonlit steps:My experience tells me I’m safe.It disagrees with the internet.◎Behind the scenes:This week, at the cafe I manage, I shared some stories of my old bartending days with my young staff, and they expressed fear at the thought of walking home alone after last call. I assured them, to their surprise, that I could count on one hand the number of times I had encountered a tricky situation in my two decades of restaurant work. The scary stories absolutely do exist, and they stand out not because they’re the norm for which we should prepare, but because they’re a shocking departure from the usual behavior of everyday humans. I’m a small-statured, gorgeous, female-looking person, and I’m here to report that the world is not as drop-dead terrifying as the clickbait would have you believe. Just keep your head on straight and you’ll be alright.●Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

Content warning: reference to gun violence.WHAT GOOD IS SELF CARE?Slip forbidden whetstone to a virgin weighing the odds.When she cries out for guidance, teach her to consult the gods.A flimsy blade is more cruel of a tease than empty hands.Unkind, to teach a fighting spirit that she stands a chance.Wise mind got branded as some silly woman’s toy, and soIts usefulness to revolutionaries: little known.I ask, what good is self care when they shoot you in the faceFor witnessing and questioning and not knowing your place?It’s easy to feel powerless after a tragedy, but there’s always a way to help even if the damage feels impossible to remedy in full. If this poem moved you, please consider a donation in Renee Nicole Good’s name to Vermont Journalism Trust, rated 91% on Charity Navigator.Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

Content warning: family violence.If you’re not in a good headspace for that sort of thing right now, I completely understand and you're welcome back next time for something lighter.*********WHEN MOM IS HOLDING A KNIFE TO YOUR THROATIt’s best to stay calm, if you can.Keep your eyes on her teeth,The way smart city stridersIgnore turn signals for car tires,Rescuing their necksSo they may seek their own desires.If this poem moved you, please consider a donation to Friends of the Children, rated 98% on Charity Navigator.Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

PERSEPHONE’S IUDI work part-time for the underworld:My flesh and bones call in sick through the earth.Minions, they come to my bedside,Reach fingers deep at night,Pluck wombstrings.Hecate sidles up next to me,Glares down my dead-bug body.You deserve this, blood-denier.Die screaming for a moment’s peace.What you seek stinks of narcissistic greed.B***h,You mean independence,Space to think,And no small amount of ease?Thank you so much for reading my work.See you next week.Subscribe for weekly poetry and memoir from someone in recovery. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

TWO YEARS LATERDear Dad,It’s been a couple years.I’m more openly queer.The neighborhood that I moved toIs full of Christmas cheer.(Is there anything more alienThan finally being the adult to hangThe ornaments to make the season shine,Knowing all the whileYou’re a poem I’ll never find a way to write?)I lit my smile,Found the strength to be estrangedFrom the folks you loved who never could accept me as I am.I wish you could see all the riches that I’ve gained.I hope you’re not too mad that I blocked Mom.You know she’ll be just fine, andWe both took her b******t for way too long.(Love shouldn’t make you run and hide.)Those pottery pieces stayed in array,But you’re welcome at my altar whenever you would like.Thank you so much for reading my work. See you next week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

Program:Working manuscript of my new collection, titled Cherry Almond, which includes fifteen short poems covering a month in my lifeThank you so much for joining today! If you enjoyed your experience, please tell a friend, leave a tip, or consider a subscription! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

Program:* Chapters 5-7 from my upcoming sonnet collection, Give It A Home, available soon on Barnes & Noble Press* “Lacuna” (sonnet)* “Cherry Almond” (free verse)* “Your Body and Mine” (free verse)Thank you so much for joining today! If you enjoyed your experience, please tell a friend, leave a tip, or consider a subscription! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com

Welcome to the first Afternoon Poetry Reading! Today features Chapter Three from my sonnet collection, Give It A Home, as well as a new free verse poem I’m working on titled “Your Pack.” Enjoy!Thank you so much for joining today! If you enjoyed your experience, please tell a friend, leave a tip, or consider a subscription! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thelizzycoshow.com