Everyday is New Year’s Day (even August 1st!) 🥂
why things can't resolve themselves
Back in January, we had the great privilege of being joined by some of you in two thematic poetry workshops: QUEERING RESOLUTIONS which we hosted with Unwanted Words, and HOT PEOPLE DON’T MAKE RESOLUTIONS with The Berlin Writers.
As a part of our mission to platform new writers and showcase poetic experimentation, we left an open invitation to all who participated to publish their work with us (if they were so inclined).
Today, we’re already on our AUGUST resolutions (or, anti-resolutions) with work by Britt Daize and Raija Katarina Heikkilä. 🥂🥂🥂🥂
Why things can’t resolve themselves ⏰
by Britt Daize (they/them)
23:42
january 31
On the eve of February 1st my mental alarm shouted that my 2024 resolutions were still to be written. p a n ick everyone knows resolutions are a January-thing. Cross-egged in the dark I wrestled my resolutions onto post-its one… by one
00:01
february 1
a neat pile of disheveled promises mocked me My revenge stuffed them into an empty cat food box. My ego lit the match and titled it onto a paper edge. My annoyance flared up when the resolutions didn’t. My exhaustion set in to set me down in that dark space and refused to see a way out. My chance at resolution gone, I titled the cat food box, “Why can’t things resolve themselves?” why is it never just sitting on the balcony and watching clouds pass by only to later sit by the window to watch the rain fall why is it always unburned paper gathering dust?
About Britt:
Fairly outdoorsy city-dweller, avid consumer and creator of words in all shapes, but with a soft spot for music, poems, and zines.
I don’t need a New Year’s resolution, I need a partner 👫
by Raija Katarina Heikkilä (she/her)
who shows up for me in all the ways I need him to. who does not hoist red flags, not U.S.S.R., not N.A.R.C.I.S.S.I.S.T. who waters his empathy & compassion so they can grow. who does not flake on me & cancel plans last minute. who cherishes each new gray hair & wrinkle. who does not leave me on read. who counts down the days ‘till the baby is born. who does not gaslight & ignite. who values the wretched winters as much as the soothing summers. who does not appear & disappear when it suits him. who enjoys making me laugh so hard my belly aches. who does not ghost me like Casper. who tucks my frozen feet between his at night. who does not ridicule my anxiety. who takes responsibility for his mistakes & wrongdoings. who does not replace actions with words. who understands that life is a compromise between what we want & what we get. who does not minimize my losses & achievements. who wants me every day, just the way I am.
About Raija:
33, single (duh), archaeologist & wannabe poet IG heraluule, livin' the Parisian nightmare
Happy new August everyone! We will be back on September 1st with more new year poems and wishes! Until then,
Xoxo,
PTK