Spring seems hushedthis year. I’ve becomejust another they’ve usedto grow silence.They point at us,we who are abandoned,they say, Lookwhat comes from speaking.Better keep quietif you want to live. The thing about rageis its autonomy.It climbs, a separate being,from rib to rib, cracksthe bone to enter my sternum.Even on my best days,I can feel it risingupContinue reading “Another Wave”
Author Archives: JW
I’m Still Trans
Even when you make it illegal for me to talk about being trans. Even when you criminalize or deny me healthcare. Even when you ban me from playing sports. Even when you force me to use the wrong restroom. Even when you push me out of spaces, orgs, and work places. Even when I’m theContinue reading “I’m Still Trans”
Take Your Seats
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies but the silence of our friends.” -MLK, Jr., from a 1967 lecture published in The Trumpet of Conscience “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, andContinue reading “Take Your Seats”
Chemoversary
This time last year, I received my sixth and final cycle of chemo. And earlier this month, I learned I’m still in remission. During chemo, having this much time felt impossible. A whole year. An eternity. A moment. I’m surprised, daily, at how far I’ve come, how much better I feel. While looking at myContinue reading “Chemoversary”
Seeds
The boxelder bugs skitterfrom their winter closetsas I resist being beatenback into mine. Despiteeach blow, this thought:what is life withoutblossoms flexingin the sun, all that rainbow? And always death, like a cat, waitson the other side of doors.In winter, in tight stale spaces,it pounces on anything that moves.In spring, it leaves behind scatteredblossoms to rubContinue reading “Seeds”
Toxic: A Farewell to SPD & Hostile Workplaces
This one’s dedicated to Damaged Book Worker and former and current SPD Staff. Love and strength to you all. *Please note, the warehouse manager mentioned in this piece is not the current SPD warehouse manager *The ED mentioned in this post is the current ED, not J.L. This is my farewell letter not only toContinue reading “Toxic: A Farewell to SPD & Hostile Workplaces”
Fatphobia and Cancer
Around 2015 I started experiencing dizzy spells, especially when tilting my head back or reaching above my head. I brushed it aside at first, but at one point, it became so bad that there was a thumping in my ears that sounded like a helicopter was landing on top of me, and I almost passedContinue reading “Fatphobia and Cancer”
Remission
Remission: a diminution of the seriousness or intensity of disease or pain; a temporary recovery. -Oxford Languages Treatment: 6 cycles of R-CHOP, 15 fractions/30 Gy of radiation, pug loveOriginal tumor size: 9.8 X 10.4 X 15.4 cmResidual tumor size: 10.2 X 7.2 X 8.5 cm On Monday, I learned I’m in remission, and I’ve hadContinue reading “Remission”
Multitudes
I make an eggnog on the strong sideand put together a playlistof unedited fuck-you songs,the darker the better,which makes me think aboutthose who’ve been alarmedwhen I’ve cussed or been anythingbut cheerful. For some reason,I’ve always been labeleda goody-goody, a pure soul, whateverthe hell that means. A while ago I realized some peoplehave never had toContinue reading “Multitudes”
The Bad Guy
Tomorrow is my birthday, which means I’ve survived a year since being diagnosed. Despite the best efforts of Trump and his cult, COVID-19 and pandemic-deniers and anti-maskers, and, oh yeah!, cancer, I’m alive. For now. Yesterday, I finally had the shot of whiskey I was going to celebrate remission with, since remission seems a fairytaleContinue reading “The Bad Guy”
The Final Silence: Cancer Walks 