>wise up by Shellie Terry

scroll stops, heart drops

there you are

interrupting my feed

four years passed, in a flash

you’re the same

why wouldn’t you be?

mr. familiar, so peculiar

not one beat missed

no time for this

been booked and busy

now that I’m free

moving

shaking

soul bent

aching

avoiding

blaming

longing

banging

eyes up

dealing

wise up

healing

sir, you’d never recognize me

Shellie Terry is a writer, editor and content strategist. Originally from California, Shellie started her career as a newspaper reporter and has since led editorial teams at national and regional publications. She currently manages a content marketing team in New York City where she’s always scouting beautiful libraries, cafes and parks to write poetry. Her poem, Entwine, was a winning entry featured in the 2023 Common Language Project, produced by The Writer's Garret in Dallas, TX.