Apologies

Lori Starling

The ocean doesn’t apologize

For its rolling waves

Or ripples

Or currents

Or its tide.

Spectators celebrate in awe of its differences;

Deep fissures;

Its creatures

Its depths

Its mystery.

But humankind looks at us living in fat, beautiful bodies

And goes running scared of

Our curves,

Our rolls,

Our beliefs,

Our tidal emotions,

And everything incompatible.

Unlike the ocean,

Every unknown creature or curve,

Every unexpected storm,

Goes uncelebrated.

But yet somehow, we yank

The courage from our being

And emerge unapologetically.

Lori Starling is a writer and lover of all books. They have their MFA in Creative Writing, as well as a BA in English & Creative Writing. Their writing can be seen in places, such as One Green Planet, ZOLA Magazine, Life in 10 Minutes Lit Magazine, The Daily Drunk, and Beyond Queer Words: A Collection of Poems. Their children’s book, Toby Wears a Tutu, will debut on January 12, 2021.