Make Believe · Poems for Hoping Again by Hutchins, Victoria -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Title Page Copyright Contents Dedication Epigraph how to play make believe Part I: A World of Reclaimed Wonder

welcome to the world see the light primordial rage in a pink blanket go seek fortune teller you used to ask why judgment day the swing of things church hath no wisdom like a child wondering sugarcoat come out, come out, wherever you are supernatural god as imaginary friend fitting room it’s not too late birthday cake recipe (feeds none) is the party dead already?

Part II: A World Where Your Body Feels Like Home

unbiting the apple how to become unrecognizable by summer while the getting is good know no master shapeshifter what peace weighs natural remedies digital age whiplash reconciliation story so relatable the sun and sons permission slip let her eat cake keep them on their toes my body is a temple

Part III: A World Where Hope Grows Back

grounding exercise reasons to stick around for a while reasons to stick around for a night on hope springing eternal that’s cringe when you’re lonely, ask a stranger for the time the gathering of the graceless a vow to tell them the tune of tomorrow life finds a way joy as a stray cat and forgotten song loved until proven otherwise for the ones who left for the ones who stayed the woman you hate it’s your party, cry if you want to in defense of flying too close to the sun shoot your shit-shot a time for everything whose hate did you swallow? this is why I don’t get my hopes up ready, set, don’t go my body’s keeper

Part IV: A World Where Love Calls the Shots

airborne for your cold, dead heart don’t bite the hand that helps you high-school best friend blindside how to trust again against soulmates the finer things for arguments with someone you love after you take off the purity ring this or that the fig you’ve chosen you don’t have to label yourself same love, different languages object permanence creation myth ode to trans bravery things I don’t say to strangers I used to know for the one you don’t know how to help I have bad news and good news god (any pronouns) group text playing god

Part V: A World Where Heaven Happens Now

wet, hot heart pando aspen grove you can work when you’re dead lost and found what heaven smells like you’re going to die, so live miracles what’s the meaning of life? death as a surprise party god on main street it’s either gorgeous or devastating death as jumping off the high dive god winks the view from the bottom of the hill we’re dying on let me let you go don’t save joy for last some things you have to decide for yourself after the ball drops death as the morning after a sleepover map says you are here the last day of my life

Acknowledgments About the Author