[T]he Exchange is the Weekly’s poetry corner, where a poem or piece of writing is presented with a prompt. Readers are welcome to respond to the prompt with original poems, and pieces may be featured in the next issue of the Weekly.
tag by Chima “Naira” Ikoro
in this dream i knew you’d just departed, but i did not let grief stifle my laughter. you tagged me, and i chased you through the hallways of a school down the stairs, you leap over the banister knowing i’d never catch you we were running around like kids–- like teenagers, who are also still children despite what the world made of us we were young like you will always be like you were when you left.
and i am still “it,” woke up before i got to touch you again this is not a sad poem. this is to say thanks. thank you for visiting me, thank you for being so beautiful when you were here, so kind and so loving, that my life is forever changed even in your absence.
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The Weekly is accepting submissions for our Literary Issue.
Prompt:
“How do you practice and experience radical self-love, revolutionary thought (or action), or the reclamation of freedom and community?”
This could be a poem, journal entry, or a stream-of-consciousness piece. Submissions could be new or formerly written pieces.
Submissions can be sent to bit.ly/ssw-exchange or via email to chima.ikoro@southsideweekly.com by July 22, 2023
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Featured below is a reader response to a previous prompt. The last poem and prompt can be found here.
waiting by sid Mercury
Waiting has taught me to be rooted into the earth Sinking Sinking, sinking deep Beneath the earth’s surface So still and quiet But there are bones here There is blood here There is love here With every breath waiting to Feel your embrace. Waiting shows me who i am when i see Myself I see myself My whole self With every breath of waiting I hear the birds singing Conspiring And Communicating I think they like it when We are still and quiet so we can appreciate their songs Waiting teaches me to Be present with my Thoughts and self, waiting Sometimes feels like Weights Stacking up on my chest Waiting taught me to remember to breathe Remember where love is Centered Remembering where love lives Where life lives. Waiting has taught me that i am love And I am loved as i am Protected and i am Protective.
