Poetry & Photography by Joanna C. Valente

_Being

It is never
not enough—

that feeling
of being held,

an icicle melting
in the sun, a child smelling
a wild forest

for the first time
and feeling home

away from home.

I suppose I have
finally grown up
and am ready to

be the rock and not
the wind.

But here we are
witness to
certain change.

Joanna C. Valente is an alien from Saturn’s rings. They have written, illustrated, and edited a few books. Sometimes they take photos and bake ugly desserts.