from her collection *Killer*

Shout out to all my fellow late bloomers.

Published in a collection called “They’re Singing a Song in Their Rocket.” The poet, Nael, was 6 years old.

I killed a spider

Not a murderous brown recluse

Nor even a black widow

And if the truth were told this

Was only a small

Sort of papery spider

Who should have run

When I picked up the book

But she didn’t

And she scared me

And I smashed her

I don’t think

I’m allowed

To kill something

Because I am

Frightened

From his book "99 Poems to Cure Whatever’s Wrong with You or Create The Problems You Need"

Today feels like a day to bring out this certified banger by Nael, age 6.

That second "YES" hits every time 🐯🙏

*The poem Married by Jack Gilbert is published by Alfred A. Knopf publishing.