My in-laws caught Covid and lost what remained of their memory
My mother fell and hit her head, a giant goose egg on her beautiful face
and I had to decide whether or not to take her to the hospital (I did)
Because even in her 10th year of dancing with Alzheimer’s,
The prospect of losing her was too much to bear
Then four months later, I lost her
As I watched her spirit leave her body, I brushed her hair from her face and told her I loved her and tried to sing to her, but my voice got caught in my throat
In death she looked like a Native princess
Oh, what a beauty she was
Then, with no time to grieve her, my father-in-law went into the hospital
We were in Florida in July for three weeks
(I do not recommend it)
We put his affairs in order and said our goodbyes
Then we flew home, and he was fine
But by that time, the grief for my mom had taken up permanent residence in my heart
I suppose that’s why my Achilles started to stab
My body decided I could no longer walk with my grief so heavy
Then my husband’s shoulder decided it could no longer function, then his other shoulder, then his knee, and his ankle
It turns out those body parts are all pretty necessary for taking photos or making movies or feeling joy
And two weeks in, 2026 is no better
My brother had a stroke
And my dog has Cushing’s
(But we call it “Cushies” cuz she’s fluffy and it sounds cuter)
Oh my heart, Adana. I’m so completely sorry for your losses and your pain and the struggles y’all have gone through and are going though. This is too much for anyone and so very unfair. Sending you love and warmth and cozy soft clothes and blankets and hugs and patience as you transition through all of this emotional spiritual and physical pain. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Kayla. I very much appreciate your sweet comment. I do have a large selection of flannel pajama pants keeping me company. But mostly… Fuck ICE.
A whole bouquet to you for this angry, anguished, lovely post. Thank you for reminding me of this perfect poem, and for letting us all hear it in the poet’s voice. 💐
Remember the moments we gathered in community. Those moments are more precious than gold, and are what will sustain us during these hard, hard times. <3
Yes!!!! The photos I have of you from last year are so incredible - they make me smile every time I see them!!! And now you and your monarch butterflies, spreading your wings of happiness all over the world!!! Gold gold gold.
All the freaking flowers, LET'S GO, Holly!!!! Adam's poem is truly one of the best poems to come out of the last 50 years. Every time I read it I find something new in it.
Yes, Fuck ICE
100% for sure Fuck ICE
Have I told you that 2025 was a bear?
My in-laws caught Covid and lost what remained of their memory
My mother fell and hit her head, a giant goose egg on her beautiful face
and I had to decide whether or not to take her to the hospital (I did)
Because even in her 10th year of dancing with Alzheimer’s,
The prospect of losing her was too much to bear
Then four months later, I lost her
As I watched her spirit leave her body, I brushed her hair from her face and told her I loved her and tried to sing to her, but my voice got caught in my throat
In death she looked like a Native princess
Oh, what a beauty she was
Then, with no time to grieve her, my father-in-law went into the hospital
We were in Florida in July for three weeks
(I do not recommend it)
We put his affairs in order and said our goodbyes
Then we flew home, and he was fine
But by that time, the grief for my mom had taken up permanent residence in my heart
I suppose that’s why my Achilles started to stab
My body decided I could no longer walk with my grief so heavy
Then my husband’s shoulder decided it could no longer function, then his other shoulder, then his knee, and his ankle
It turns out those body parts are all pretty necessary for taking photos or making movies or feeling joy
And two weeks in, 2026 is no better
My brother had a stroke
And my dog has Cushing’s
(But we call it “Cushies” cuz she’s fluffy and it sounds cuter)
But in addition to all of that
And more than all of that…
Fuck ICE
Oh my heart, Adana. I’m so completely sorry for your losses and your pain and the struggles y’all have gone through and are going though. This is too much for anyone and so very unfair. Sending you love and warmth and cozy soft clothes and blankets and hugs and patience as you transition through all of this emotional spiritual and physical pain. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Kayla. I very much appreciate your sweet comment. I do have a large selection of flannel pajama pants keeping me company. But mostly… Fuck ICE.
Flannels, cashmere, whatever you want/need, you should have it. And have a big cup of hot cocoa to spill on any ICE in your way. 😉
A whole bouquet to you for this angry, anguished, lovely post. Thank you for reminding me of this perfect poem, and for letting us all hear it in the poet’s voice. 💐
I really love the recording of him and found it so soothing to hear. 🌼 💐 more now than ever.
Remember the moments we gathered in community. Those moments are more precious than gold, and are what will sustain us during these hard, hard times. <3
Yes!!!! The photos I have of you from last year are so incredible - they make me smile every time I see them!!! And now you and your monarch butterflies, spreading your wings of happiness all over the world!!! Gold gold gold.
Thank you Kayla! What a great poem to end a wonderful post. Let’s make some flowers!!
All the freaking flowers, LET'S GO, Holly!!!! Adam's poem is truly one of the best poems to come out of the last 50 years. Every time I read it I find something new in it.