*** 

By J. J. STARR 

in faith             i pray for you… 
i wasn’t            aware of you 

i think of you free 
a song     a night           you… 

pieces, i can share  
just some with you… 

i am not a victim            all my struggles   
might  one day              envelope you 

a noise     a name     physical     right      there  
take me            with you 

what WAS        that way         to keep demons                away 
…        …..i fasten my mind to you  

those who don’t heal   prefer    the temporary 
understand me     …there is no           other      no i      no you     … ….. 

when did i start loving               affliction           as companion 
what meaning did i leave                        to you 

i’m exhausted… symptoms     short term disability       long term disability     medication costs 
it attacked me    … you don’t believe me         do you? 

Jessica     i thought of you                   knew you        would seek after 
….. if this      is to end             let it                             can you? 

 

[Purchase Issue 31 here.]

 

J. J. Starr’s poetry has appeared in The Common, Juked, The Journal, and 2River, among other publications. She studied at the NYU creative writing program, where she was a Veterans Writing Workshop Fellow.

From the beginning, The Common has brought you transportive writing and exciting new voices. We are committed to supporting writers and maintaining free, unrestricted access to our website, but we can’t do it without you. Become an integral part of our global community of readers and writers by donating today. No amount is too small. Thank you!

*** 

Related Posts

Book cover of Making the Turn by Wyatt Townley

Dancing on the Ceiling: Meaning Movement in Wyatt Townley’s Making the Turn

AIDAN COOPER
Perhaps “Wedding Vows” epitomizes Making the Turn: a falling that becomes, or rather makes itself known as, falling together. It considers surrendering control and finding oneself an instance of a larger, universe-spanning tango. The whole book does this, flowing with direct, dizzying specificity

Podcast: Liz DeWolf on “Ex Situ”

LIZ DEWOLF
Liz DeWolf speaks to Emily Everett about her story “Ex Situ,” which appear in The Common’s spring issue. The story follows an American living in Istanbul, navigating the end of a relationship, and the appeal and alienation of living abroad in a layered, complex city. She also discusses her process and revision methods, the themes she often returns to, and her work as a nonfiction book editor.

Headshot of Brionne Janae

September 2026 Poetry Feature

BRIONNE JANAE
did you keep your mind? / you got to walk it for yourself / and on returning what state did you find it in? / as in what state were you in? / were you where you left yourself? / and who was left? / was anyone left? / and how sure were you that you could reach them?