Poetry Erin Wilbanks Poetry Erin Wilbanks

Things I Unexpectedly Enjoyed

#20 theguelfpoet April Challenge Prompt


This tiny can of beans*

Sobriety

Alone time

Rediscovering my home town

Afternoon reads on the couch

Slowing down

Doing less

Being more vulnerable

These are the things I unexpectedly enjoyed



* Our nickname for Patrick :)

”Things I Unexpectedly Enjoyed
April 20, 2022

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Poetry Erin Wilbanks Poetry Erin Wilbanks

My Favorite Ghost Story

April Challenge Prompt # 18 (theguelfpoet)

We were made for each other
At least that’s what I tell myself
Our lips fit together like
Perfect puzzle pieces

But you had to fuck it all up
You wanted more
Different
Other than me

You haunt my dreams
I ache for you in the most
Embarrassing ways

But now you’re my
Favorite ghost story
I gather people ‘round +
Tell them of the
Boy who is now dead to me


”My Favorite Ghost Story”
April 19, 2022

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Poetry Erin Wilbanks Poetry Erin Wilbanks

Full Circle

We can predict the
Change in tides
The shifts of Mother Moon herself

But why can’t we 
Predict the asynchronies
In me?

The ebbs + flows
Feels like daggers + darts
The ups + downs
Like a deserted roller coaster for one

Like the ocean -
I’m affected by the moon
The lack of sun likened to drowning on my own words

But like Mother Nature 
I cycle too
I relish the ease
I rest in the struggle

It all comes back
Full circle 


”Full Circle”
April 15, 2022

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Poetry Erin Wilbanks Poetry Erin Wilbanks

Air Conditioners are the Worst

Prompt # 8 “Air Conditioners are the Worst” for theguelfpoet April poetry challenge

You know that in-between time of year
When it’s too chilly for shorts +
Too warm for sweaters

So you ride - windows down
Breeze in your beautiful face
Bangs just a blowin’

You pause at the corner
Sun on your soft skin
And you laugh as you think
Air conditioners are the fucking worst

How do people spend their days
Caged in a cubicle
With no wind on their face
No sun seeping into their bones

Just cold stale air condition air
Flowing in
Out
Around


”Air Conditioners are the Worst”
April 8, 2022

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Poetry Erin Wilbanks Poetry Erin Wilbanks

Sit Below

Slow down
You’re doing fine
You can’t rush to
The finish line

Pause for a moment
Just take a breath
Placing the blame
Doesn’t allow for depth

What do you want?
How can you know?
Make your way to the tree
And simply sit below

Your life will look different
If you want true ease
Close your eyes, dream big
But only if you please


”Sit Below”
March 28, 2022


Photograph by Hannah Sharriee

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Poetry Erin Wilbanks Poetry Erin Wilbanks

She Started

She started trusting herself
Listening to the quiet 
Beneath the noise
That said “Go for it”

She started believing in herself
Tapping into the fire in her belly
Beneath the fear + doubt 
That said “You fucking got this!”

She started downsizing
Not her own body for once
But the thoughts of others
That said “You aren’t enough”

She started over again
Alone, not lonely
Because somewhere in the starting
She finally found herself again 


”She Started”
March 7, 2022

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Poetry Erin Wilbanks Poetry Erin Wilbanks

Hey Girl

Hey girl
I know
You’re tired

Hey girl
I know
You’re scared

Hey girl
I know
You’re trying

Allow
Allow
Allow

Hey girl
I know
You’re lonely

Hey girl
I know
You feel lost

Hey girl
I know
Your secrets

Air them
Out
In the wind


”Hey Girl”
March 6, 2022

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