espresso shots & forget-me-nots: selected poems

"some memories are too meaningful to let wither away.

some memories are too bitter to be worth remembering,

and some memories are worth preserving even if they are."

In espresso shots & forget-me-nots, what's old is new again as trans poet Parker Lee weaves together a collection of poetry, prose, and aphorisms consisting of selected work from three of their previously published books, along with new and unreleased work. Divided into four parts, espresso shots & forget-me-nots is a story of heartbreak and love, a story of broken relationships, a story of figuring out and embracing one's queer identity, and a story of healing even when it all seems hopeless. In a special foreword penned by Parker's spouse and fellow poet, amanda lovelace, espresso shots & forget-me-nots is eloquently described as "a collection of memories" that capture "exactly what it's like to be so delicately, frustratingly, & complicatedly human."

This is the definitive way to experience Parker Lee's earlier work, revised, expanded upon, and pieced back together as it was originally meant to be read.