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.

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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.