when we were
still beautiful
we ate picnics
of pb&j
overgrown fields
of wily sunflowers
our cheeks sun kissed
not yet understanding
the damage of these
soft, buttery hours
when we were
still beautiful
we said we’d
travel
we’d make
beautiful art
we’d drink
starry nights
now I hold
your wrinkled hand
your eyes have lost
their wonder
you no longer
know my name
but you squeeze
my hand back
as if to say
once,
we had dreams
Erin Jamieson
Erin Jamieson (she/her) holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Miami University. Her writing has been published in over eighty literary magazines, including two Pushcart Prize nominations. Her poetry chapbook, Fairytales, was published by Bottlecap Press and her most recent chapbook, Remnants, came out in 2024. Her debut novel (Sky of Ashes, Land of Dreams) came out November 2023.
Header image by Nicolas Janssens.
