Smiling and Storytelling

I wear berry pants and write poetry. I have my little sister and grandfather to thank for that, respectively. My sister reminds me that joy is always a good fashion decision, and my grandfather is who inspired me to write after sharing his own poems (which are kept in a Rubbermaid container under the bed). Once, a yoga instructor told me to ‘gently smile’ as my body was contorted in an agonizingly impossible position. No matter what position life puts me in, connecting with loved ones and sharing stories always makes me smile. That is why I have started Simile, to share the gift of a good story and connecting with a loved one or your local community. I write customized poetry for couples, family members, friends, or any likely or unlikely pairing of people. I also write chapbooks to give space for the fleeting, light whims of my imagination that nag me to put them on paper. Every month, I share half the proceeds of a chapbook with a nonprofit in Raleigh whose mission aligns with the themes in the story. Happy reading with big smiles :)