You Could Make This Place Beautiful

by Maggie Smith

When they finally held her up, showing her to us over the surgical drape, I said, as if I recognized her from someplace, “Violet!” We’d had a short list of names for boys and for girls, but when I saw her, I knew her name. I knew her.

When I got good news related to my writing—a publication, a grant, an invitation—I sensed him wince inwardly. So I stopped sharing good news.

i am visibly anger from inside out rn

What would I have done to save my marriage? I would have abandoned myself, and I did, for a time. I would have done it for longer if he’d let me.

i’m going to fucking cry

I had packed most of his things because he works long hours.

fucking insane

But I don’t have a family.”

i would kill myself 🩷