Finding poems

I'm in a 'business' state of mind, working through my list of creative writing outlets to potentially submit my work to. I work alphabetically and I'm up to the Rs which means that this morning I discovered *Crush* by Laura Villareal while reading the latest issue of Radar.

I like how Radar pairs each poem with a tastefully selected image and a recording of the author reading their poem. However, I always read the poem first in my own voice, stringing the lines together in the way that makes sense to me, reading and re-reading lines for multiple meanings before listening to the poet read her poem. It's great to hear the author's voice and intention and yet at the same time, I think it's important to come to the poem with my own perspective first.

Today, Laura Villareal's *Crush* got me. I offer it here for you.