Claire Coenen

Claire Coenen, LMSW, is a writer and teacher living in Nashville, Tennessee. After many years of graduate school and working as a psychotherapist, Claire now devotes her time to writing and to teaching the practices that nourish her most: collage, yoga, and expressive writing. Throughout her life, Claire has experienced the creative process as a path toward healing, peace, and wonder. Her work has appeared in several publications including The Banyan Review, Poetry Breakfast, and Salvation South. Her first book of poems, The Beautiful Keeps Breathing (Kelsay Books), was published in June 2024.

“the wish,” “imperatives at the lake,” and “sister song”

after all this busying of body, resisting rest
like a toddler hurling her blanket through the night,
after all these efforts manifesting goals, dreading
rejection, willing perfection like a cheerleader

Goodwill Romance

As I walk out of the store into the parking lot, I feel smug about finding a $5 sundress. The dress is just right for summer, made of light material, bright blue. It makes my eyes pop. Snagging quality clothes at consignment stores gives me a sense of satisfaction, and I almost always find at least one treasure when I shop at Goodwill. About fifteen feet from my car in the Goodwill parking lot, I notice a shiny, black truck slow down as it approaches me. The man driving it stops the vehicle beside me. He pokes his head out the window.
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