A brief selection of recent things:
I cut my hair impulsively one morning, and even though no one else seemed to notice (my hair has been pretty long before that, and now it’s just a tad shorter), I feel like a grave weight came off my head. In this heat, it feels pretty great.
I don’t go to my usual coffee shop anymore. In the summer, the aircon is turned all the way up and it gets cold quickly. And there’s been someone bothering me there every day, which is not their fault really, it’s just who they are, but I can’t help but feel bothered by the stares and pacing back and forth right in front of me. At home, I don’t have these things to consider. I’ve been stuck to my desk and on my couch for the majority of writing and editing these days, and it’s wonderful, considering I’ve struggled with writing at home before.
I began working full-time at my new job where I get to chat with cool colleagues and make coffee for fleeting customers.
In the middle of August, I’ll be on holiday with my sister. Our trip to London is all booked, now we’re just crossing fingers for our flights to go when they’re supposed to.
A stray cat recognised me the other night on a walk to a public book case near my place. I gave her/him a good cuddle, then it vanished into the night.
Writing related news:
It began with a realisation that hit me while people-watching, and also in retrospect of a conversation I had with a friend, a few months back. The realisation led me straight to the title of a new collection of poetry and short prose that I had in mind. I’ll reveal the title a little later.
A new collection was born–or rather the plan was established. And then in April, thanks to #Escapril, I began writing a lot again, and I explored writing more shorts and discovered new ways of telling stories which is exciting when you were just in a rut, writing pieces that felt and sounded the same. Until.
People inspire me most of all the things I consume by watching, so it made sense for me to write about people. A lot of the pieces I gathered had the same thing in common: in my very own Folklore era, the characters all seemed to be stuck in place, or on their journey somewhere or to someone, yearning to be at a certain physical, mental or metaphorical place. Have you ever felt so lost you didn’t recognise yourself while the world kept spinning for months on end?
The title of my new collection is: I Hope I’m On My Way Somewhere. A long one, but it really hits the nail on the head as a conclusion for this collection.
I can’t wait to make a proper announcement with dates. Stay tuned, friends.
This is what our dying looks like.
You believe in the sun.
I believe I can't love you.
– Another Elegy "This is what our dying looks like", Jericho Brown
No. 17
welp, the new site looks great! now i kinda miss squarespace's grandeur visual freedom haha
i will never get tired of telling you how much your writing and newsletter provide me the temporary distraction i kinda sorta need while i endure my constantly declining f*cked up life. love this <3
x, Élise // daylilies.substack.com