A Worm Moon In August
Welcome to A Worm Moon.
I'm Phoenix Yemi, a poet.
The Worm Moon signifies an approaching spring. The earthworms emerge from beneath the soil and the birds know it's time to feed. That imagery of life coming to the surface after a long period of winter, of darkness, is why I started writing poetry. It pulled me out of myself and taught me to pay attention to the world around me. Part of that process was about listening to the voices of other poets, honouring their experiences of society and understanding that I'm not alone. It was transformative, and I would like to share that with you.
It's August, and the days are beginning to get shorter; I feel like I'm mourning the sun. So when I was looking for poems to share with you, I was thinking about light, about how nature looks alive and how we most often feel alive, when the sun shines. I also wanted to reflect on the anxiety of waiting, as summer transitions to autumn and everything begins to rot. It feels liminal and I feel like all I can do is bear witness.
Before we dive into the poetry I’ve selected for this month, I want to leave you with a poem of my own. It's called 'A Worm Moon in August' and I'm thinking about the sun and how desire feels easy.
Mary Oliver broadened my understanding of poetry. She taught me about devotion. This poem comes from her collection 'Felicity' which was initially published in 2015.
Ada Limón is a forever favourite. There's something in this poem that makes my heart ache. This poem comes from her collection 'The Carrying', published in 2018.
Nikki Giovanni is a powerhouse and this poem takes me to a meadow. This poem comes from 'The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni, 1968-1998' published in 2003.
Adrienne Rich is an icon. I recommend 'Diving Into the Wreck'. I feel like I'm the body in this poem. It comes her collection 'Your Native Land, Your Life' published in 1993.
A Cento is quickly becoming my favourite way to approach a poem. It's made up of lines from other poets and I think it's a beautiful way to play with poetry. I've constructed three from the poets featured in this newsletter. Thank you to Mary Oliver, Ada Limón, Nikki Giovanni & Adrienne Rich for lending their voices.
What comes to mind when you think of September?
Send any words my way, I’d like to think about them for the next newsletter.
You can email me at phoenixyemi@gmail.com or you can find me on Instagram @phoenixyemoja 💌
