Tell Me It Gets Better

When it’s bad
I write emails to myself woven with typos.
Instead of pressing send,
I schedule the email one year out.
I ask
will the baby ever grow
I feel hopesls (hopeless)
Are you happy?

My fingers hover over the subject line
Tell me it gets better
I edit in a one-word prayer
or is it a plea?
Please.
Please tell me it gets better.

Guest poetry written by Reem Faruqi. Reem is the award-winning children’s book author of “Lailah’s Lunchbox,” a book based on her own experiences as a young Muslim girl immigrating to the United States. She’s also the author of middle grade novels in verse, such as “Unsettled,” and more, many of which received starred reviews. Her newest book Zarina Divided releases in May 2025. After surviving Atlanta traffic and the school drop off, Reem spends her days trying to write, but instead gets distracted easily by her toddler, camera, and buttery sunlight. Reem Faruqi lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughters. You can find her at www.ReemFaruqi.com or on Instagram or Twitter.

Photo by Jennifer Floyd.

The Hard Stuff, PoetryC+C Guest WriterMarch 10, 2025poetry, reem faruqi, spring25part2Comment