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Gumbo Soil | Jacinta V. White

Writer's picture: IPM TeamIPM Team
Feb 12, 20241 min read

A photo of white hands holding dirt against a blurry, nondescript light brown background. A poem by Jacinta V. White titled "Gumbo Soil" is overlayed and reads: Gumbo soil is great for growing cotton / & blueberries & heirloom roses // but is better for burying the dead / & stories & roots & family ties // & nonsense & quarrels & letters & coins & cigarette butts / & moonshine & past lives & past wives with boyfriends // & all things unspeakable & guilt & sin & worn shoes / & costume jewelry & faux fur & fake identities & hatchets // & all the harsh language ever spoken to you or against you / words that stink & slay & slash & fly out // all which cannot be unburied, deep / memories & gapped smiles & Southern charm // & lopsided history books & roots of willow trees still / trying to speak, if anyone will listen // & letters in boxes under floorboards & bruised photos / & the feet of your too-late lover / standing graveside tearful & empty-handed.

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This poem was included in IPM's February 2024 Newsletter.

Access the full Newsletter here.

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