Each year this time
I am cast
I react
I stand
I stir
I charm
I trim
I try
same terms
same system
same scars
same shame
Each year this time I err
This year this time
I am smart
I sit
I stay
I stare
I stray
I say
I am
my terms
my year
my art
my air
my this
This year this time I rise
Beth Mulcahy lives in Ohio with her husband, two kids and loyal Havanese dog sidekick. Beth works for a company that provides technology to people without natural speech. She writes poetry, fiction, memoir, and dreams about visiting Scotland. Her work has appeared in various journals and she has been nominated for a Pushcart prize. Check out her latest publications at https://linktr.ee/mulcahea