I’ve been having a rough summer so far and seem to be moving through the challenges I’m facing in a nearly constant state of overwhelm. This, together with a few blows to my self-esteem, have left me struggling to keep my head up and stay optimistic.

But yesterday, I met up with two of my dear friends, Emilia and Lindsy, for lunch downtown. And all of sudden, the weight I’d been carrying lifted and the storm cloud that had been hovering over me gave way to sunshine. Their kindness, generosity, and love were nothing short of transformative. They, together with my twin sister, Jules, and my buddy, Diane, have carried me through more than a few hard times in the past and have been with me every step of the way during these past few weeks.

What a blessing it is to experience the company and solidarity of a few good women.

In the Company of Women

by January Gill O’Neil

Make me laugh over coffee,
make it a double, make it frothy
so it seethes in our delight.
Make my cup overflow
with your small happiness.
I want to hoot and snort and cackle and chuckle.
Let your laughter fill me like a bell.
Let me listen to your ringing and singing
as Billie Holiday croons above our heads.
Sorry, the blues are nowhere to be found.
Not tonight. Not here.
No makeup. No tears.
Only contours. Only curves.
Each sip takes back a pound,
each dry-roasted swirl takes our soul.
Can I have a refill, just one more?
Let the bitterness sink to the bottom of our lives.
Let us take this joy to go.

From the collection, Misery Islands (CavanKerry Press, 2014)