The Poetry Stash: 17Feb2024

Of All The Things I Love by Khadijah Queen

Today’s poem is “Of All The Things I Love” by Khadijah Queen from the collection, Anodyne. The book is available for purchase here.

(Please note this poem touches on the topics of depression and suicide.) Resources for people who are experiencing suicidal crisis/emotional distress

Of All The Things I Love by Khadijah Queen

My son wants to leave, depression making
talk of permanent exit a habit. I make him
laugh, a temporary stay, spend every penny

I have to keep him in the comfort and joy
of computer games and good eating—his idea,
anyway, fried and meaty and overdosing

on pancakes and Golden Oreos and steamed
chocolate with whole milk. I don’t drink much,
but I want to. Since last summer the Woodford

only halved. Why can’t I be myself in this world,
over and over he asks me, knowing I’m powerless
everywhere except home regardless of what I say.

I would move the fucking universe for you, I say,
as many times as I have to, and we both know how
fragile my body is compared to my mind. My energy

never stopped fueling two. He likes to humor me.
He knows better and has the scars to prove it,
but he believes I will try, having never seen me give up

without a fight that ended in the wreck of someone else,
even if it cost me, too. Sunlight debilitates him and night
keeps him angry awake. How do I tell him that I’m tired?

Prompts:

1.	Begin with “Of all the things I love…”
2.	Begin with “I’m powerless…”
3.	Write a draft that includes dialogue.
4.	Explore the topic of being a parent/friend/caregiver for a loved one who experiences serious depression and/or who has considered/attempted self-harm. Describe the costs (emotional, physical, financial, etc.) for the caregiver/friend.
5.	The poem ends with the question, “How do I tell him that I’m tired?” Begin a draft with a question. As part of the revision process, make the question the concluding line.

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