I only walk in the dirt, but my steps are guided: and no matter how dark my path gets, I light it.

Jerzee Monet feat. DMX

Childhood memories, the wonder and vulnerability of being young. 21 poems live in this room.

Every poem gathered beneath this lyric.

Artwork for "You're such a beautiful child", drawn from the lines: One day you'll watch; From the back seat of the car
Essential

No. 11

You're such a beautiful child

One day you'll watch From the back seat of the car Your Dad grab your Mom's hair

Read You're such a beautiful child

Artwork for "But you still needed", drawn from the lines: I'm sorry I never spoke to you on the steps.; I saw you pass by every day.
Essential

No. 54

But you still needed

I'm sorry I never spoke to you on the steps. I saw you pass by every day. Sometimes you floated right past me

Read But you still needed

Artwork for "If one kid reads this", drawn from the lines: I wish I could have warned you.; I know it all seemed like just a
Essential

No. 105

If one kid reads this

I wish I could have warned you. I know it all seemed like just a game—

Read If one kid reads this

Artwork for "On the steps outside of music class", drawn from the lines: On the steps outside of music class; You taught me how to jump through time.
Essential

No. 111

On the steps outside of music class

On the steps outside of music class You taught me how to jump through time. The wrought-iron handrails,

Read On the steps outside of music class

Artwork for "Lightning Bug", drawn from the lines: I wish I could cup your tiny hands; Around the shape of the lightning bug
Essential

No. 113

Lightning Bug

I wish I could cup your tiny hands Around the shape of the lightning bug And hold that lonely glow—

Read Lightning Bug

Artwork for "In your arms", drawn from the lines: One day, when you're six years old; you may watch your Dad leave,
Featured

No. 5

In your arms

One day, when you're six years old you may watch your Dad leave, and have just the

Read In your arms

Artwork for "Sleeping on the couch in the old house", drawn from the lines: Sleeping on the couch in the old house; Where the faucet pours hope and doubt
Featured

No. 61

Sleeping on the couch in the old house

Sleeping on the couch in the old house Where the faucet pours hope and doubt in equal parts.

Read Sleeping on the couch in the old house

Artwork for "Imagine you could watch", drawn from the lines: Imagine you could watch; everything you don't need
Featured

No. 66

Imagine you could watch

Imagine you could watch everything you don't need spin and twist, float and fly down to the

Read Imagine you could watch

Artwork for "Where dreams emerged...", drawn from the lines: Please don't take away the early mornings; on the subway, Biggie bumping in the
Featured

No. 91

Where dreams emerged...

Please don't take away the early mornings on the subway, Biggie bumping in the Walkman.

Read Where dreams emerged...

Artwork for "Tracing the beautiful illusion of control", drawn from the lines: The mazes you drew in red and orange; marker,
Featured

No. 93

Tracing the beautiful illusion of control

The mazes you drew in red and orange marker, stretched and floated

Read Tracing the beautiful illusion of control

Artwork for "Your warm breath", drawn from the lines: There's something you will do,; Before the clock sweeps past nine,

No. 23

Your warm breath

There's something you will do, Before the clock sweeps past nine, That will make time stand on its head,

Read Your warm breath

Artwork for "That only you can feel", drawn from the lines: The absence of a guiding hand,; The touch you missed—

No. 35

That only you can feel

The absence of a guiding hand, The touch you missed— Forced you to feel every nuance

Read That only you can feel

Artwork for "The inner spark", drawn from the lines: Don't let the thing you needed most,; Yet never received,

No. 42

The inner spark

Don't let the thing you needed most, Yet never received, Become the flashlight without

Read The inner spark

Artwork for "The times you were held", drawn from the lines: The times you were held; in those rare, accidental pauses,

No. 44

The times you were held

The times you were held in those rare, accidental pauses, in the early mornings before you

Read The times you were held

Artwork for "The jacket you wore all last", drawn from the lines: The jacket you wore all last; year

No. 47

The jacket you wore all last

The jacket you wore all last year Suddenly feels too puffy,

Read The jacket you wore all last

Artwork for "Until you find the color", drawn from the lines: Can you arrange the blocks; And place yourself within?

No. 51

Until you find the color

Can you arrange the blocks And place yourself within? Can you draw the intricate maze

Read Until you find the color

Artwork for "Remember when you", drawn from the lines: Remember when you; wrapped

No. 57

Remember when you

Remember when you wrapped the string around your tiny

Read Remember when you

Artwork for "How'd you know the echo of colors", drawn from the lines: How'd you know the echo of colors; Of those Suzuki strings

No. 88

How'd you know the echo of colors

How'd you know the echo of colors Of those Suzuki strings Would sing across decades,

Read How'd you know the echo of colors

Artwork for "A chamber of the overcome", drawn from the lines: You'll be taken back one day; To the room you worked your entire life to

No. 95

A chamber of the overcome

You'll be taken back one day To the room you worked your entire life to escape,

Read A chamber of the overcome

Artwork for "Access Revoked", drawn from the lines: A girl skipped a stone across a crystal lake,; the ripples shatter the surface of your skin.

No. 115

Access Revoked

A girl skipped a stone across a crystal lake, the ripples shatter the surface of your skin. You look down at the puddle in the starless darkness—

Read Access Revoked

Artwork for "The Dragon's Neck", drawn from the lines: You never needed to have a voice; Those stories just came out

No. 116

The Dragon's Neck

You never needed to have a voice Those stories just came out As you twisted your head back

Read The Dragon's Neck

If you want to go deeper into the work, join the community.

I'd love to give you the first glimpse behind the curtain.

Delivered by Substack.