One day before she died, Anna watered peonies and sent a letter to her son. A rare bright November day, crimson leaves scattered on sidewalks. Anna shook her head at a scurrying squirrel. Because, she knew, there were some things—like your body failing—that you could not prepare for.

Erin Jamieson (she/her) holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Miami University. Her writing has been published in over eighty literary magazines, including a Pushcart Prize nomination. She is the author of a poetry collection (Clothesline, NiftyLit, Feb 2023). Her latest poetry chapbook, Fairytales, was published by Bottlecap Press. Follow her on Twitter at @erin_simmer.