love photos of
black bodies
dancing across screens
taken with stolen apertures

it’s a silly game me and the plane
play
back n forth
my skin not yet shiny enough
not yet translucent
theirs blasting with luminosity

wanna kiss the boy in that
picture
tell him he’s okay
don’t need to be no shiny dancer
but then again
who’s gonna kiss the little girl in
me
and tell her she’s alright
i’m scared they will drown her
in tales of african hymnals
from the mouth of an ivory individual
or maybe of lessons learned
through the guise of a
forgetful father or
intentional deceiver
either way lessons
engraved in the pretty
skull all the way

Do you remember how
we play in places like this-
rocky, tumultuous, blank?
How we take this stone hollow,
and make it hallowed with treasure:

A smooth pebble.
The feather Mom said would make us sick.
This perfect, crooked stick.

Let me tuck you in to this place
just for us, guarded by
a thicket of brambles.

Did you know fruit grows here,
like magic in the thorns?
Sometimes juicy, sometimes sharp,
always a gift.

Do all grown ups grow into caves?
Do you keep here empty on purpose,
so that little treasures can keep a home?
So sweet things can live inside?

M. McGonagle
2024

You’re a beautiful soul who’s always been enough for me.
Always happy-go-lucky, free-spirited and carefree.

What I love the most about you is that you’re a part of me!
Full of love, light and laughter, you taught me how to be free.

You have the biggest heart and you love unconditionally.
Always handling others with care, oh so intentionally.

I wouldn’t be who I am today without you!
You’ve always pushed me to make my dreams come true.

Thank you for always making sure I never feel alone.
You’ve always been my safe space, with you I am home.

Watching you struggle was hard, you’re the strongest little girl I know.
You’ve always adapted to change and left room to grow.

You’ve shown me that I can survive anything, no matter what comes my way.
You taught me how to love myself, even on my worst day.

I’m proud of you kiddo, you’re my biggest blessing.
Never show your hand and always keep em’ guessing.

You’ll always have a friend in me and I promise to remain true.
Words alone can’t explain how much I love you.

Growing up I was always the odd and different kid from top to bottom, from inside and out nothing about me was able to blend in. I can remember memories from as young as 6 on the playground and other little girls would say “Why do you sound like that?” I was a very soft-spoken kid who had medical issues that I was overcoming. With all of that being said plus growing up rural where it’s not many options to just up and change schools I had to develop grit and a sense of self very early. Sometimes I would cry kids didn’t want to be my friend I thought I was weird I was not! Every day before I even knew what affirmations were I would look at myself and find something to love about me I dived into myself and discovered all of my hidden talents. What I love about myself self as a child that I carry as my inner child today is that there is only one YOU. And you can either hate yourself or love yourself, I chose love. I choose peace and happiness every day and I will instill these same positive beliefs in my children. I love that I never judged other kids I carry that trait with me to this day I’m aware of the danger but I never judge a book by its cover because I know what that feels like firsthand. My inner child is a patient and gentle spirit who was and will always be there for the people she loves but most importantly herself. That’s what I love about my inner child, she is still alive after all we’ve been through.

Remember how fearless you were?
You danced without a care in the of those watching you.
You voiced an opinion without cracking your words in between.
Remember how fearless you were?
Standing your ground, not caring if you seem like a fool.
You were always running with determined speed, feeling the cool breeze beneath your arms and the freedom of your feet dashing through the town.
Remember how fearless you were?
Filling up your soul by singing to your heart’s delight.
Always bring a smile to others with your silly jokes and portray imitations.
I loved you then and love you now. I miss that little girl within…
Bring her back soon before you forget how fearless you once were.

Young and wise
With a curious mind
Always searching to find
A truth you hold inside
Shining bright
In dark spaces
Transmuting complicated situations
How powerful you are
But you do not see
The beauty of your soul
And all you can be
An alchemist
Never a pessimist
A dreamer
Despite non believers