SWWIM Every Day

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published How do you get the stinger out when you’re mad for the bee? Its venom should make you shout. How do you get the stinger out, without beating yourself up about no longer wanting to be free? How do you get the stinger out when you’re mad for the bee? Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Paula R.

It’s #tbt! Enjoy this great one from SWWIMEvery Day‘s archives! Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Crouched behind the burning bush, he watches the other children. He breaks into laughter as girls leap into mounds of autumn leaves. As the children play, he sketches in the dust with a twig. He turns to me, his face, a pale leaf trembling in the haze of crimson. At six years old I wandered from recess into the meadow.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published You're probably thinking of the miraculous bread that fell from the heavens—but I mean the bitter lymph of Sicilian ash trees from the Madonie Mountains. Called white gold, it oozes after a small incision is made in the bark, forms stalactites, and sweetens as it dries in the hot sun. How many sweet things come from a wound: like songs written out of loss. This sticky paste I spread on bread tastes like honey and carob.

SWWIM’s Weekly Spotlight is back! If you’re a SWWIMmer, please send us your good news (publications, awards, and more) here. Are you looking for editorial feedback? SWWIM’s editors offer commentary on 3-6 pages of poetry. Submit here! SWWIM Every Day accepts poetry translations for publication consideration. Please see swwim.org/submit for the full guidelines.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published He takes nothing which is how you know it was decided in the body before the mind knew, socks without shoes, the door left open like a sentence that stops mid-, the road accepts him without opinion, without warmth, the asphalt holding the day’s heat a little longer than the air, rising through the threadbare socks, nearly tender, behind him the house with its one lit window, its noise holding a shape by now, violent...

We weren’t sure. We asked the oracle—miracle of the mercurial. Don’t buckle, reader. Lucille utilized it religiously— summoning spirits, invoking ghosts as she conjured the departed in their alchemy with questions. Lit beeswax candles circling her abundant garden of greens and sweet potatoes, prepared to reach beyond arias of the flesh. You will remember, reader, she was wild with divinity— prophetic, the seer we all seek to learn from.

It’s #tbt! Enjoy this great one from SWWIMEvery Day‘s archives! Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published Long after and still, three horses appear. I am a child’s corner of that field. A huge readiness. I stare into a face with too much. I contain what I don’t want to say and exist so outside my voice why even talk. The fear like a dark ringed circle with bells. The task to touch what exists while we do. The three horses gone.

SWWIM’s Weekly Spotlight is back! If you’re a SWWIMmer, please send us your good news (publications, awards, and more) here. Are you looking for editorial feedback? SWWIM’s editors offer commentary on 3-6 pages of poetry. Submit here! SWWIM Every Day accepts poetry translations for publication consideration. Please see swwim.org/submit for the full guidelines.

Dear Readers, We hope you’re enjoying your summer! This is a reminder that applications to our residency program will close on August 1. If you want to attend a SWWIM residency, please check out the FAQs and submit via Submittable. We’d love to review your work! Stay safe, be well, and keep cool! With love, SWWIM Team Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and Bluesky for more updates—and visit our website to see past, present, and future readings & events.

Dear Readers, We hope you’re enjoying your summer! This is a reminder that applications to our residency program will close on August 1. If you want to attend a SWWIM residency, please check out the FAQs and submit via Submittable. We’d love to review your work! Stay safe, be well, and keep cool! With love, SWWIM Team Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, and Bluesky for more updates—and visit our website to see past, present, and future readings & events.