The weatherman stands in front of a fevered map of the southern east coast of America, and says, “next week it’s supposed to break 100 degrees,” and the very first commercial advertises a steaming Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Summer, like every season has it’s own rhythm, and this one always seems to stretch on and on but somehow disappear all at once. I know many of us have been moving through intense days. If things have felt rushed, I hope you’ve carved some time to just be, screen free, and sit with the miracles of life—in spite of everything vying for your attention. The term “this too shall pass,” comes to mind, for better or worse; a phrase that has been stalking me all month.
[Image: Substack in July - Desktop Version]
I send one recap email a month: of news, upcoming events, contests/opportunities; as well as, poems, essays, and recommended reading. If you’re a new subscriber—welcome! And if you’re a longtime reader and/or paid contributor, thank you for encouraging my work.
July’s Exciting News!
This month, I’m delighted to share that Franklin Finds a Home is officially leaping into the world. It’s release date is August 13th, published by Canary Agency, and available everywhere books are sold. It’s a tender little story about love, individuality, and belonging. Click below to read more about Franklin.
One of my poems, Mother Goose and Her Kind Beast, will be published by Lemon Jelly Press CIC. The piece will be out this september in print: micro-booklet format. I am fully in love with the cover, designed by Lottie at LJP.
SAVE AS
Click. The gentle clamp
of ideas sealing shut. Sublime skull.
Thoughts settling into dendrites,
like warm honey sinking into the grain
of wooden wand.
Twin to tip-of-the-tongue: amiss,
then found. Akin to, tip toeing barefoot
across pink sand. Hourglass icon.
It sounds like, ears slipping under
bathwater: a hush of velvet.
Feels like, the moment gravity relents
upon single stair, your legs rising to climb.
Axon. Synapse. Suddenly,
you’re no longer reaching—
you've found it. You’re rearranged.
Chemical prayer to filing cabinet.
The process, a handshake between
dimensions. Lights, flicker then steady.
It’s the exact moment language pauses,
turns to face you, takes hold, and lifts
you upon its shoulders:
a gift of understanding.
-N.J. SIMAT
2. AUGUST MOONLIT MIC: There will be a SPECIAL WEEK-LONG SERIES OPEN-MICS IN AUGUST in partnership with Pocket MFA. Stay Tuned for Specific Times, Dates, and Guest Speakers.
“Twin to tip-of-the-tongue: amiss then found”
I love how this flows, and the relation of how words play hide and seek in our minds. 🌸