A few weeks ago, I felt the bittersweetness of having a Twitter crush when you least wanted to have any. The person was one of the most beautiful I've ever seen. I was scrolling—or doom scrolling, call it whatever you like—down my timeline, and I passed their picture at first. But then, I couldn't help but scroll back up just to admire their handsome face one more time. 

That made me feel out of place because I don't just fall for internet beauties, I thought. What an error that was, because this can happen to everybody. I'm not exempt from falling for beauty, and like most of us, beauty, even if it's not a face or a place, makes us feel good just by being able to recognise it when we see it.

I knew there wasn't much I liked about my Twitter crush except for their beautiful face and beautiful words, and that's the bittersweet part. So, I decided to write a poem to immortalise what I felt that day and a couple of days later, and also to express what I learned about beauty over time. 

Do you like poetry?

What a silly question—everyone loves poetry!

But even if you don't, just remember that sometimes poetry tends to be more than something we just love. It becomes the thing that causes our souls to tingle with sweet, bitter, or bittersweet sensations because of the way it plays with both language and our emotions. 

So...  that poem I wrote? Here it is:

Now... I HAVE A SURPRISE IN STORE FOR YOU! 

In two weeks, it will be December. And as the last month of the year, December is the month when most of us want to do special things with and for the people in our lives. 

And because you've made this year a little more special for me by subscribing to my email list, I've decided to offer one subscriber a spot on my next podcast episode to read a poem or essay on the theme of... you guessed it... beauty. The writing must be your own and can be previously published.

If that sounds like fun to you, all you have to do is submit a poem of no more than 40 lines or an essay of no more than 600 words in response to this email. 

The winning poem or essay will be featured and performed by the author on The PPS Club Podcast. I will contact you personally to give you the news and prep you for the episode! 

The deadline to submit is December 1st.

I can't wait to see your responses!

Best,

Priscille.