Tupelo 9/30: When September Was Ours

Reader, 

Today's poem includes the phrase "Mommy and Syra day," a poetry-incentive request purchased by my husband for my daughter Syra, who's three years old. 

Parenting is the hardest job I've ever had and one I do not get a break from. As an university professor, I have the privilege of spending my non-teaching days with my daughter, often bringing her to meetings on campus and prepping/grading/emailing during her nap (and after she is in bed for the night). I also have a new exhaustion threshold as a parent, and some days, I am so spent from all of the "need." 

Because I am good at nurturing, multi-tasking, listening, and repeating directions, one part of me is a natural mother. But another part of me likes to retreat inside my head, to do what I want when I want, and to give everything 200%. These traits make mothering a challenge, one that conflicts with who I am as a person. 

This poem celebrates the moments when I can see how amazing this small person is and how my life is enriched by her presence. 

Here is an excerpt of "When September Was Ours" (read the full poem on Tupelo Press' 30/30 blog):

"...This sweetness clichéd because

by god, it’s true. What I live now, a story
I’ve always half-listened to–touch that quiets
deep aches, how my neck is a keyhole

for your tear-stained face."

If you would like to title one of my poems, select five words for a poem, give me a potential theme/topic, offer a formal challenge, or receive a chapbook at the end of this project, please see my first posting for incentive amounts and make your way to the Tupelo Press donation page. Be sure to select my name from the scroll down tab titled "Is this donation in honor of a 30/30 poet?" 

For those of you who have already selected your incentives, I will be delivering those poems shortly.

Yours in poetry,

Emari