Now By Nancy Schatz Alton I’m on the edge of something. Its curves lead to my flaws, the messes I’ve made, the ruptures followed by repair. I’m dancing to Prince. My youngest returns all notes with her perfect pitch We’re weaving a story out of song. One of my oldest friends hands […]
Author: Nancy Schatz Alton
Arrived.
Arrived. I’m empty-handed & full plate-cleared & almost satiated. I stare—open-mouthed—at babies & mamas while nodding at the woman with the teary-eyed teen. My amazement never ends, my how-did-I-get-here verbalized, my seething annoyance at too-much-science homework handed down—generation by generation. I want more-more-more! just like my baby who tore pieces from me: which I no […]
The Nest
I want to be in the choir. In step with the people who are snapping their fingers, stomping their feet, slapping their legs. Harmonizing. I am out of step but fully ready to immerse myself in joy. To say I belong even if I’m out of tune and still learning the song. *** I grab […]
Flaws
My daughter brought me a song. My Kk handed me a song called “Flaws.” I use it to crack myself open. I listen to the acoustic version and I cry. I cry to touch that place in me that I don’t have access to because it’s deep and scared, scared that someone will see […]
This Is What You Came For
This Is What You Came For For the call from the accident claim office. To repeat the accident scene. Again. When you don’t want to talk about it anymore because you know the acidic bile in your stomach will churn and rise again. This is What You Came For In Capital Letters. in lowercase letters, […]
Joy
I’ve surrounded myself with pictures of joy. As I sit at my desk, within my line of vision are pictures of people I love smiling with so much joy. My mom, my dad, my husband, myself, my girls. My mom in her 20s, hands on her hips, looking straight at me in the same manner […]
Backward& Forward
Backward & Forward By NSA They say the past is gone turn away leave it behind & yet: my smile confident & dazzling schools me. I stare at myself 20 years ago newly wed ready & surrounded by my childhood & yet: the hesitant now no path ahead no map for […]
I am falling all the way in.
I am eating the breakfast my friend and I used to make together on those lazy long vacation days in Boulder. Back when I was running away from motherhood and into her home to be taken care of. Yogurt, granola, strawberries. It’s nice to take care of myself. Except for when it’s hard to breathe. […]
Willipa Bay
Every time I land on the Washington coast, there I am: young, seeing the Pacific for the first time. The second time. The third. Every time. How I used to need the Harvard T-shirt bought at a garage sale. How I’ve always had a book with me. Reading: trying to find the answers. Answers. Whatever […]
I’m a Sharp Shooter
I’m a Sharp Shooter by Nancy Schatz Alton My student says her brain is a place made of boxes, everything that happens sorted into a box. She dips in stored wealth, decorates pages with hand-picks treasures from gorgeous open squares. This matches a found cartoon of a brain: three levels with boxes on […]