messy bits we carry around.

In 10 days, my debut collection of poetry will be published & available for the world to see. But before that, some context.

I have loved poetry since I was a child. My cousin, Lindsay, and I once produced a hand-illustrated, yarn-bound collection of poems based on the creek in my backyard. Our sales weren’t stellar (I don’t think we even convinced our parents to buy more than one copy for $.50), but we were so proud of our creative output. I still have multiple (maybe all?) of our cherished copies.

In high school, I fell back in love with poetry in AP Literature. There was one poem that was so profound to me that it stuck in my head for years, although I had a hard time actually finding the poem or the poet for a long time. Ironically, the poem was about tattoos and their permanence.

About three years ago, I started to intentionally experience the world around me. Like, really take stock of the things I could see, hear, smell, taste and touch. I allowed my observations to take up space in my mind; to let my thoughts and feelings float about until they found some roots. What grew out of those moments of “practicing the art of simply existing” was poetry.

I had been writing (and blogging) publicly for years, but poetry felt different. It is more personal, not just in terms of content, but in how the words are constructed into rhythm and verse. I was proud of my slow accumulation of poems, but had a hard time knowing what to do with a notebook that quickly filled up with somewhat chaotic musings and mutterings. A Google search suggested that I submit a few to literary journals and see what happens. So, I did.

Unlike some poets or other creatives who like to keep their projects under cloaks of secrecy, I talk pretty openly with anyone who shows even an iota of interest in my work. So, when my best friend offered to connect me with her friend who had recently published a chap book (abbreviated book of poetry), I was thrilled to meet Elle for coffee and hear about her experience in the world of writing. I had just received my first acceptance letter from a lit mag to publish my poem “Growing Pains,” and I was eager to hear about her journey to publishing an entire book. She was so kind and encouraging about my work and I left feeling invigorated to keep pressing onward.

When “Growing Pains” hit the web in June 2023, I was ecstatic. There had been other rejections along the way, so the fact that my words resonated personally with an editor renewed my confidence that I might be on the right track to something. What that something was, I didn’t know. At the time, I was focused on querying the historical fiction novel I had just completed, so poetry was not exactly a priority. But, I kept writing and submitting, gaining some traction on social media, and occasionally having a poem or two selected for inclusion.

That summer, I traveled abroad and was constantly inspired to take notes of my experiences. Sometimes through standard journaling and others via poetry, photography or illustration. As I explored various international cities, I kept my journal handy in a large tote bag so that in addition giving space for a bottle of water, tube of sunscreen, umbrella, book and light layers, I also always had a place to store my thoughts. Serendipitously, it was on that trip I found the textbook from my AP Lit class on a shelf in an art gallery in Oman.

In fall 2024, I submitted a few poems to Elle’s publisher, Adam (from Dark Thirty Poetry Publishing), for inclusion in an upcoming anthology. The proceeds for the book would benefit an Alzheimer’s association, which I thought was really sweet and poetic in itself that words on memory might benefit minds which have lost their own memories.

As I am every time I receive a “yes” from an editor, I was thrilled that Adam accepted two of my poems. I was even more excited when he said that he’d love to work with me if I ever had a full-length collection to present. Fast forward through a year of thinking, observing, writing, editing, musing, drafting and finally, submitting a manuscript of 42 poems, Objects Things Stuff finally took shape. This past spring, the cover design came, rounds of edits were completed, a launch team was assembled and a party has been planned to celebrate.

Life isn’t very linear, nor is writing poetry. At least, it’s not for me. It’s all a jumbled combination of practical and nonsense, just like the bottom of my tote bag.

“In it I place objects, things, stuff–those messy bits we carry around.”

excerpt from “In this Bag” by L.M. Beatty

I hope that you acquire a copy of Objects Things Stuff sometime soon (remember it will be available to purchase as of July 10!). Maybe you’ll cherish the book forever, or perhaps you’ll misplace the copy and just vaguely remember one of the poems that resonated with something in your soul. Either way, I hope my words encourage you to embrace your objects, things, stuff even if you don’t quite know what to do yet with those messy bits you carry around.

SDG

Buy the book via Bookshop.org! I am an affiliate for Bookshop & will receive a commission for your purchase. Thanks for supporting my work as an author & writer.
https://bookshop.org/a/109412/9781068576676