The poems in this zine were written during my 20s, 30s, and early 40s, between 2005 and 2026. They reflect two decades of my life that stretched me, bridging me from girlhood to womanhood. “The Numbers” snapshots my experience as a Black woman in the world, introspectively examining myself through familial ties, romantic cycles, and aging.

Making this zine was an important exercise in releasing the pursuit of measurements—a reminder to myself (and to anyone who reads this!) to just be.