Poem of the Week: 3.2.23

"House Party, Isla Vista" by Ricky Novaes de Oliveira

Mar 02, 2023

by Ricky Novaes de Oliveira

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Backyard band
Amateur sing-along
Beachside, oil rigs
Palm trees and boooze
Fences to hop
Phone light, not noticing
Clouds above—there's pizza

Being young is a cartwheel
Eyes closed
Blades of grass
Wisping through fingers 
Pulse
As the chord hangs

Get me an early birthday gift by sharing this poem with someone who makes you feel young <3

Thank you for reading the Poem of the Week!

I’m turning 26 tomorrow, so age has been on my mind lately. “House Party, Isla Vista” was one of the last poems I wrote before the COVID pandemic started; how far away just 3 years ago feels now.

I’ve tried doing a cartwheel twice in my life. The first time was more of a somersault, and I was lucky to walk away with an intact neck after the second. But I like cartwheels in theory—breath, propulsion, touch, roll, flip. Becoming unadjusted to readjust again. Twirling around but landing on your feet.

I hope it’s not bad luck to give away what I’m wishing for when the candles go out.

Spring break dreaming, Ricky