I once wrote, the stars were made for loneliness
I felt them in that sea of empty black
with creatures scrabbling through their darkness
clawing and snapping at my back
now I look up at the night sky
full of twinkling and shining gems
remembering this line I wrote months ago
but I hadn’t known what it meant then
the night air is soft on my face
I’m floating in a bejewled, lanquid sea
warmth-like-rightness slips through my soul
for once, it’s okay to just be me
the stars were made for loneliness
I had felt despair like that fathomless black
but then I found friends in the darkness
winking and smiling back
mental health
liquid gold
my dear Teddy
if i may be so bold
your long, soft fur,
looks like liquid gold
bathed in the sunlight,
he sighs. “it’s time to retire”
his eyes drift to a close
as he embraces the fire


I can’t help but write poems about these buds. They’re so cute. 🥰 Dogs are the best. Dog poems, too.
-AJM
snuggle in
nap time
doesn’t matter what time of day
snuggle in
and before you know it
dog elbow in your thigh
snoring at your left
brown and golden fur
within arm’s reach
you didn’t even have to say anything
they just knew
mom’s resting
snuggle in
although you have less room than you did
something heavy, half on and half off
you can’t really move
but you feel it
one hundred and sixty pounds of dog pile
trying to heal your broken pieces
they don’t say a word
you feel it in your bones
in your soul
in the dark, cold parts
that even therapy can’t seem to reach
one snore
one yawn
doggy breath in the face
the assignment stands:
snuggle in
mom needs us
Not much to say…life has been life-ing a lot lately. It was a day of resting today. (I’m preparing this on a Sunday.) Naps. Quiet time, too much doom scrolling, probably. Watched a Pacific Rim movie. Need to do adult things. Don’t wanna. Sometimes vegging is just easier.
Hope you have a good week.
–AJM
Poetry book “Remnants” to be published, but not in December 2025
So…have you ever started a project, and then you lose steam just when you think you’re sailing smoothly along? Yeaah, so that happened. I am still working on this project, but it will not be published at the end of this year.
Unfortunately, work and health and life have gotten in the way, but to be honest, though, I do feel somewhat excited to have a project to focus on in the winter months…if we all happen to survive by then, of course.
To reiterate…
This is a collection of new material from the last few years exploring the ‘what’s been left behind’ from my college years, who I am now, and the joys and struggles of being an adult. There are themes of feminism, mental health, self-doubt… and some silly poems about the weather, of course.
Look for it soon…publish date, TBD. I might also post less poetry content as I get my ideas together, but that’s a maybe. I feel like there is still a lot to say.

In case you missed it, my other poetry book, Walking in Cemeteries, can be found on Amazon here.
so tired
it’s the time of year
just about
where hope and joy
fizzles out
i’m draining onto
a dirty ground
like a lost set of keys
never found
there’s no end here
i’ll walk forever
awake no longer
and sleeping never
security blanket
the neighbor’s dogs
didn’t want it
our golden retriever
didn’t either
but every night
our chocolate lab
carries it off the deck
brown and half-deflated
faded from the sun
it enjoys the ride
out into the yard
Koda’s ears perk up
his stance, square and at the ready
something snaps in the woods
he shakes his head
and growls with enthusiasm
the basketball shakes to and fro
it’s a good feeling
to be needed
as an adult
when i was little
i had someone tell me
“don’t be so eager to grow up”
i’ve had others judge me
like growing up was a competition
that i would fail at
and while i feel old and young
than i ever did before
it doesn’t change
the sadness that overwhelms me
growing up is over with
being an adult
happens now
and i
don’t
want
it
gloom and doom
even my favorite parts
of Summer
can’t will away the feeling
we’re all barreling
towards a cliff
with an obvious end
ADHD
and just like that
my thoughts disappear
they’ve gone somewhere
no longer here
I’d pull them back
if I could
my brain a block of solid wood
there’s no squish here
all grain and seed
maybe I should read
or was there something that I need
One thought, then the next, they bleed
meeting roadblocks and potholes
of ADHD
In case you missed it…new poetry book “Remnants” to be published December 2025!
This project is coming along!
This will be a collection of new material from the last few years exploring the ‘what’s been left behind’ from my college years, who I am now and the joys and struggles of being an adult. There are themes of feminism, mental health, self-doubt…and some silly poems about the weather, of course.

There will be more posts about this project later on in the next few months.
In case you missed it, my other poetry book, Walking in Cemeteries, can be found on Amazon here.