nobody died, i was just wedding planning
still a poet, internet sensation, and most importantly, annoying.
*dusts off substack, wipes with a microfiber cloth*
just kidding - it’s realistically only been two months. but two months feels like a long time to not be writing/sharing poetry, etc. especially for me.
when you go to school specifically to study literature and get better at Writing Things, you always hope that you’ll end up with a career that aligns. i’ve talked about this before in previous posts, about how my day job has nothing to do with poetry- and i’m okay with that. however, sometimes, when life gets crazy- it means that i don’t hold myself accountable to keeping up with my work like i want to. balance, as it turns out, is Really Hard.
but, i’m *back*! at least for this post, and hopefully consistently after i get married, which is exactly a month from now. and i have some fun updates to share!
one of my poems, “affirmed” was published by Bi Women Quarterly! you can read it here if you haven’t. it’s an honor to be recognized by a publication that elevates queer voices. i encourage you to check out the other talented writers that have been included as well.
i’m recommitting my instagram, (@stregaclare) to my poetry. the past few months i’ve been sharing a lot of my personal adventures there, but those posts have been archived. it sounds silly to essentially ‘rebrand’ or something adjacent, but it feels authentic for me to do. i have a complex relationship with the internet, and i think that while i love sharing, i created that page for the purpose of sharing my writing, and i’d like to get back to that.
finally, i also have a side hustle! strega clare jewelry, linked here is my jewelry page. i picked up clay jewelry making recently just to make myself some new earrings, but a lot of people were interested in purchasing them. so if you’re into that sort of thing, photos of my inventory are located on insta, and my etsy is linked as well for purchase. i’ll also be at a local craft fair on september 23rd, if you’d like to come see me in person!
in the mean time, i’m just going to say that planning a wedding feels a lot like this long term project that never really ends until it does. when i’m ready, i think i’ll probably share more about what this process looked like for myself and my partner in another post. but for now, i’ll just say: if you’re not a typical bride who imagined this thing her entire life, it may feel like a shock to you trying to balance all of the traditions with what you want, choices, etc. (i’m nothing if not completely indecisive.) and if you’re going through wedding planning now, hang in there! especially to my october brides, (twinz) we’re almost there.
anyways, all this to say that new things are coming….stay tuned for more.
i’ll leave you with a few fun things i’ve been into lately:
what i’ve been reading: over labor day weekend i finished two books, which feels a little insane but also good since i’ve been in a reading slump. i read TJR’s “evidence of the affair” (short, and 10/10 for a great story that held my attention) and celia rabess’ “everything’s fine” (8/10 for how compelling this story was, at times i was a little back and forth about how unlikable the characters felt, but i think that’s simultaneously what kept me interested? still thinking on it.)
what i’ve been enjoying: pumpkin coffee from dunkin because let’s be honest, starbucks coffee is expensive and it sucks. if you’re an enemy now, sry. & pens. specifically gel, specifically the pilot G-2, .10. i like a thick pen that’s bold and dramatic like me.
what i’ve been listening to: specifically “your bones” by chelsea cutler on repeat. pre wedding vibes all around.
much love from your favorite chaotic writer,
strega clare.