Rachel Beachy is Ephemera's December Poet

(4 Poems & More)

Welcome readers!

We’re happy to introduce Rachel Beachy, our selection for December’s Poetry at Ephemera. Thanks to Rachel and everyone who submitted in October.

If you’d like to participate, we will be fielding submissions each month to publish one poem per issue from the same poet for the month. Each poet receives a $200 honorarium. For full rules and more info please see our designated post about Poetry at Ephemera. Paid subscribers can submit for free.

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Introducing, Rachel Beachy!

Writer Bio

Rachel Beachy lives in Kentucky with her husband and children. Her poems have appeared in The Bluebird Word, Eunoia Review, HerWords, The RavensPerch, The Rising Phoenix Review, The Spearhead Magazine, and Steam Ticket. Her debut collection Tiny Universe will be published in 2025. She writes at her kitchen table, where she is inspired by the trappings of daily life with young children.

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Ephemera Sponsor: Volume 0

From Volume 0’s website:

“We like stories offbeat and fun in a slightly naughty way. So expect bad behavior, adult themes and a bit of menace. You might not like all of these stories. But we certainly don’t think you’ll be bored.”

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Artist Statement

My current work focuses on giving voice to the early years of motherhood, a time that can be isolating, transcendent, and everything in between – often within the same day. In this collection, I am most interested in honoring the essential work mothers do and the profound (yet fleeting) moments that come with raising children. These poems are my ongoing attempt to answer the question, “Where does the time go?” influenced by many but particularly Kate Baer and Jessica Urlichs.

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Poems

Each issue of Ephemera spanning December will feature one poem from Rachel. After each issue drops, the poem from that issue will then appear here as well. We like to introduce our poets first with a bio and an artist statement. We’ll send periodic reminders to check back in when the poems are available. This post will remain on our Substack, free to view, for the year. We hope you’ll enjoy these poems and revisit Rachel’s page from time to time.

Poem 1 of 4

The Butterfly Effect

Our daughter wraps the blanket
around her shoulders
pretends to be 
a butterfly
a delicate thing
how I once turned left 
(I could have turned right)
onto his street.

Full poem appears in the upcoming Dec.1 issue of Ephemera

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Poem 2 of 4

Object Impermanence 
               
I could not remember where I left
my phone or my coffee or 
the rest of my sentence
there were burp cloths everywhere 
but always out of reach 
the swaddle that fit her the night before 
was too small by the next morning
which is when I found a wine glass 
on the bathroom counter 
and my toothbrush 
by the kitchen sink
next to the bottles
and pump parts
and pacifiers 
which would need to be washed again that evening
and the next, and the next, and 

Appears in issue Dec.2 of Ephemera

Poem 3 of 4

The Most Human Color

Coming Soon

Appears in issue Dec.3+4 of Ephemera

Poem 4 of 4

These Years, These Days

How will I explain these years of my life? 
The years gone by in days like this – 
following her around the park
keeping mulch out of her mouth
and when she gets tired
carrying her back to the car
or else to sit on a bench
where she rests her head on my shoulder
and points out all the birds 
and planes 
How will I explain? 
Only to say that 
years from now
I will be walking in this park
and just the sight of this bench
will make me ache.

Appears in issue Dec.3+4 of Ephemera

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Merci. Danke. Kiitos. 고마워 Go-ma-wo. Cảm ơn. Xiè xiè.

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