Something I like to do while writing is to follow up a really sad poem with a new one once I start to feel a little better. I hope you guys enjoy this duo.
PS please click on the first one to read the whole thing
— Elizabeth Bishop, from a letter to Anny Baumann.
— Anaïs Nin, from a diary entry featured in Mirages: The Unexpurgated Diary; 1939-1947.

Marie Howe, from Magdalene: Poems; “Magdalene—The Seven Devils”
Text ID: I didn’t belong to any- / one. I wouldn’t allow myself to / belong / to anyone.
In the Mood for Love (2000)
Marie Howe, from Magdalene: Poems; “The Teacher”
Text ID: So, I thought I had to become more than / I was, more than I’d been. / but that wasn’t it. It seemed rather that / something had to go. Something had to / be let go of.
Literally
