secret garden
A poem by Brigid Cooley

secret garden

“No one wants to be a pretty thing all the time. But no one wants to be the weed.” – Ada Limon 

the neckline on my black bodysuit dips low, with delicate lace barely brushing against my collarbones. my freshly shaven legs press gently against my mattress as i undress another dark chocolate truffle and toss the wrapper to the floor. i think my mother would disapprove if she saw me like this: half naked and bubbly, champagne drunk on a saturday afternoon. she’d probably encourage me to be more ladylike, to sit with ankles crossed and hands placed neatly atop my knees. instead, i revel in my wickedness, throwing curtains open to let the light in. sometimes i imagine my bedroom a terrarium, with origami roses sprouting from dirty-clothes-soil, glass walls kept steamy by long hot lavender showers. me, i am a flower or a succulent or something kept alive easily, even without consistent care. i fill the air with Eagles songs and record scratches, light the room with salt lamps and cinnamon scented candles. i am learning to build sanctuaries in ordinary places, selecting solitude instead of parties and wishy-washy one night stands. once i grow tired of myself, i will slip into sweatpants with holes in the pockets, light a cigarette and venture through the front door. spectacle, no more. i’ll scrounge for connection in the kitchen, then the grocery store, beat the pavement with a pair crummy running shoes. small talk with the neighbors. heat up the leftovers. and then, as the sun paints streaks against powder blue skies and the earth prepares for the dew fall, i will make my way back to my secret garden and slowly close the blinds.

About the Author:

Brigid Cooley (she/her) is a poet, journalist and storyteller dedicated to highlighting the stories of others, while also carving out a space to share her own experiences. Her debut collection of poems, “family recipes,” was published by Kelsay Books in 2023. Her work has been published internationally. She currently resides in Georgetown, Texas, where she works with high school students and teaches poetry workshops.

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