Yellow Sweater

United States

Zinnia | she/her | agnostic | 18 | WA

University of Washington, Honors 2025

2021-2022 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate

Author of Spikenard, Poetry NW Editions, 2022

I don't necessarily agree with my own assertions

Message from Writer

I was published by Rattle Magazine! If you would like to read it look up their website. It's called Frozen America!

I like spaceships, temples, and tea.

Some of my favorite writers: Federico Garcia Lorca, Teju Cole, Ocean Vuong, Annie Dillard, Italo Calvino, Arundhati Roy, Michael Ondaatje, Becky Chambers, Pablo Neruda... The list goes on.

I am on here way too much.

There are so many excellent writers on this site, but if you are new and looking for a place to start, check out: Paisley Blue, aosora, wishtree, aismic, Starlitskies, R.j.Elsewhere, amaryllis, .. ugh there are so many more....

Ode to the Mug that Survived

May 11, 2022

PROMPT: Ode to the Ordinary

19
plain porcelain
and blue letters,
a memory of
a forgotten harbor.
you’re a mug to sip
on a fishing boat,
good for black coffee
and milky tea.
stained bottom,
and chipped rim,
you must have once
held the sea
while it boiled,
caught and carried
God’s tears
and the tears
of my grandfather also.
now you sit on
the well-oiled wood
of our family table,
spilling only sometimes,
pulled towards
a greater gravity.
you still haven’t
lost your sea legs.
steadier than
my trembling hand,
you’re the soul
of the storm.
I sip from your
factory-spun shell
and I know that
the vessel and
the flood are one,
that we are defined
by what we hold
and how we are held.

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  • May 11, 2022 - 12:27pm (Now Viewing)

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8 Comments

  • NAMI

    amazing imagery! “held the sea/ while it boiled”
    honestly though your phrasing is magical


    about 2 months ago

  • when_breaks_the_dawn_light

    Very well done! Would you review my poem for this prompt? It's called "In Praise of the Pen."


    about 2 months ago

  • Wonder :)

    re: oh bummer, i'm sorry you missed out! it's pretty fun, but there are definitely pros to not wearing school uniforms, especially because now i don't get to wear most of my clothes except for weekends


    about 2 months ago

  • word_weaver

    the sensory imagery here is so beautiful! I love how you brought so much meaning to such a small object <3


    about 2 months ago

  • Isha kinda writes

    I never knew mugs could be so deep.
    I’m currently speechless. You poets make me ponder life :)


    about 2 months ago

  • Holy_Grail

    "I sip from your
    factory-spun shell
    and I know that
    the vessel and
    the flood are one"
    This is just so well written, just beyond awesome.


    about 2 months ago

  • Eblinn

    I love this!!


    about 2 months ago

  • Parzi

    Is this a prompt example I seeeee??
    Woweeee
    Look at youuu
    Big time now , huh?
    I'm sure THIS is the peak of your writing career so far-
    Nothing else-


    about 2 months ago