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Better
Jennifer Martinelli Eyre
Give me Better Homes and Gardens
without the crown molding.
Show me the woman in her bathrobe, a construction paper crown on her head.
A queen on a polyester throne tending to her wildflower children
with bottles, kisses, and song.
She builds them up.
She grows alongside them.
Give me Better Homes and Gardens
without the strands of pearls.
Show me the woman bundled in a blanket, her golden strands now gone.
A warrior on a hospital bed throne, pulling the weeds of cancer from her garden
with grace, poison, and prayer.
She will blossom again.
She is evergreen.
Give me Better Homes and Gardens
without the swimming pools.
Show me the woman counting pennies after her shift, student loan debt pulling her under.
A genius on a futon throne, saving for her someday with
humility, tips, and degrees.
She is grounded.
She will find her sun.
Give me Better Homes and Gardens
without the masquerade.
Show me unveiled, cover-worthy imperfections
of our collective cracked walls and untrimmed topiaries.
Homemade beauty perched on thrones of paper, poison, and pennies.
Show me this.
Show me better.
About the author
Jennifer Martinelli Eyre graduated with her MFA in writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) in January 2023. She spent her time at VCFA studying writing for children and young adults but remains drawn to various genres, particularly free verse poetry. When Jennifer is not writing, you can usually find her behind a desk at her full-time job or reading one of the many books piled on her nightstand. Jennifer has resided in Maryland her entire life; she currently lives in Forest Hill with her husband, daughter, and ornery cat who enjoys walking across keyboards.
Jennifer was born in Baltimore and grew up in Baltimore County where she lived until she was 25.