You Make Me Feel So Beautiful

You Make Me Feel So Beautiful; March 12, 2026

It's the way you look at me when I'm getting dressed;
I feel like a goddess, an ethereal being,
but not an object. 
It's something about your gaze
memorizing the steps of my routine,
the way I spray my perfume behind my ears;
How your eyes dance across my bare skin, 
following my arms as I throw on a shirt;
they crinkle in the morning sun as I look in the mirror
and check the fit of my jeans.
Your lips are slightly parted, like you have something to say
but can't find the right words, so we live in the silence;
it's so comfortable here.

-AKF

Ethereal

Ethereal; March 6, 2026

Her skin on mine like spring rain;
Entranced beneath a waterfall,
Sunlight warms my cheeks;
My arms goose-skinned.

Her lips soft, rose petals;
Ambrosial, plump and juicy fresh-picked strawberries
Up and down my neck, climbing vines;
Consumed by ivy, evergreen.

Her eyes stelliferous;
Lost in space, a nebula galaxies away from mine;
Constellations of Cassiopeia, the Jewel Box;
I've become an astronaut.

-AKF

Clean

Clean; August 31, 2025

My sheets are stained with sweat and regret,

Your heady scent lingers on my pillow.

The sun was woken angry;

He sears your memory into my skin.

Then, suddenly, the bubble pops.

I catch a glimpse of my ghost in the mirror — a doughty smile,

Eyes that have rebirthed a lost soul.

And I can no longer smell your scent,

Or feel your presence on my lips.

You are now a second in time

On a watch I’ve seemed to misplace.

-AKF

Jump

Jump; June 14, 2025

Your silence is deafening,

As I stand at the edge of the cliff,

Tempting the sea to wrap me in the waves

Crashing against my ribs, I ache.

The wound encompasses my being,

Threatening to bleed out.

I feel your ghost across my cheek,

The beating of my hollow heart

Shakes the ruins of Camelot.

I watch as the swells tempt me like sirens,

My toes teasing the hem.

The sun blisters the alabaster rind

Of my knuckles, gripping and grasping

At wisps of forgotten paradise —

My skeleton too stubborn to admit

It’s finally time to jump.

-AKF

The Storm

The Storm; September 9, 2025

The thunder starts slow, As it shakes my home from the ground up.

Glass shatters on the floor; The echo of my masterpiece unanchored, Making its descent down the rabbit hole, As our castle falls to ruin.

Until it’s just the bones, Exposed, denuded by just a whisper of your name.

The storm of the century, As I go down with the ship Bereft, drowning in the poisoned water of my reverie, Still singing my devotions as the water fills my lungs — A song so sad even Ursula can’t bear to listen.

-AKF

Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

Hey there, remember me? After a whirlwind year of landing my dream job, securing the perfect NYC apartment, and starting my MBA program...the bitch is back. And I'm just in time to give you some wine recs to get you through the holidays. Because you know what's better than gathering around the table with your family eating delicious home-cooking? Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley. 

I pulled together a little list to help you pair your favorite comfort foods with the most important beverage of the day, so even if you just stayed in your studio apartment and made a big pot of mashed potatoes because traveling was too much of a hassle, I got you. This year I am thankful for All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version), as I will be for the rest of my life, honestly.

Thanksgiving Wine Pairings

Turkey + Beaujolais Nouveau 

Everyone who knows me knows I love Thanksgiving because that's when the latest Beaujolais Nouveaus are released. This light red won't overpower your bird or the gravy you have with it. With high acidity and low tannins, you can keep drinking this wine until long after the table is cleared. 

Mashed Potatoes + Chardonnay

Make sure it's oaked! Some might say a buttery Chard is too rich to pair with Thanksgiving, but I say those people buy cheap Chardonnay. I'm drooling at the thought of how perfectly it will pair with my mom's creamy mashed potatoes. Just trust me on this one. 

Brussel Sprouts + Sauvignon Blanc 

If there's not at least one bottle of Sauvignon Blanc at the table for the holidays I'm not doing my job. This wine will pair great with the crispy brussel sprouts your aunt brought because she tried it at The Smith and fell in love. Make sure there's a sprinkle of lemon on those sprouts to really bring out the fruit of the Sauv Blanc. Bonus points if there's some shaved parm on there, too.

Cranberry Sauce + Grenache

I freaking love homemade cranberry sauce, and so does a Grenache. This light red will balance the tartness of the cranberries and won't overpower all the spices. Grenache and Beaujolais are interchangeable at your Thanksgiving as both are a light red, so it's up to you to decide on preference!

Pumpkin Pie + Riesling

The honeyness of a Riesling will perfectly bring out the spices of your pumpkin pie. I love a German Riesling, but I've also heard the Finger Lakes make a mean one, too. Try to find a spätlese, which will be sweet but not SO sweet that your teeth hurt drinking it with your dessert. 

Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy stuffing your face with comfort food and wine. I'll see you next time!