Marys of the Sea Quotes

“It wasn't that I didn't love you–
I needed protecting from
my sisters & brothers / the ones
whose anger I take
because each pain means I was
alive. My first memory comes
not from your love
but theirs.”
― Joanna C. Valente, Marys of the Sea

“… A librarian hands me
a book of poetry – says it'll be my way

of staying alone. Most words
mean nothing when there's no
right font for my feelings.”
― Joanna C. Valente, Marys of the Sea

“… When I'm ready,

my uterus will lunar eclipse.
You could have been

my baby. I was almost your mother.
In the gap, I left you to fall–

jarred starlight, steaming.”
― Joanna C. Valente, Marys of the Sea

“In Sunday school, love was taught like blueberries
baking in crust: let simmer & don't eat it all at once.
I always ate too much until my plate emptied. I don't want
to go, but I am alone in this feeling. Left to carry it gracefully
until I'm alive in someone else's memory.”
― Joanna C. Valente, Marys of the Sea