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192: Joy Map

If I was to draw a map of my joy

like dots in a constellations

or pegs in a light bright

or all those google map pins

there would be a stop for you

and the way you stand up when you really get to laughing

and a stop dancing in the kitchen in our socks

and a stop for headphones in, music loud, walking through

New York City streets

feeling like a lioness because we’re all just so alive.


There would be a dot for wool socks

and cups of tea

and that first moment when we all hop on zoom and squeal

because we’ve missed each other’s faces.

There would be a dot for summers by the water

and picnics and the feeling of the sun trying to kiss freckles into my skin.

There would be a dot for the older woman by the bus stop

who strikes up a conversation

to tell me about her favorite bus driver Jerry,

He really is just so wonderful.

There would be a dot for candles on a cake

and my mom’s sweet potato casserole,

handwritten cards, friends who send you songs and say

This made me think of you,

snapchat memories that bring back

the people I love

and the feeling I get

when I roll over

in the middle of the night

and see you there.


That’s the last stop on the map.

I’m home.



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Every night we sit on the couch. Your arm around my shoulders, my knees pulled towards my chest. We eat dinner. We talk about the day. The dog sleeps, belly up nestled on top of our sock feet. And eve

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I'm Sarah (Are) Speed, the writer behind Writing The Good. I'm so honored you're here! To get more poems, follow @writingthegood on Facebook and Instagram! 

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