Maria Giesbrecht

Maria Giesbrecht is a poet based in Toronto, Canada who writes candidly about the challenges of modern life, their imperfect antidotes, and everything in the middle. She believes in noticing the little things, eavesdropping on strangers conversations, and telling stories. When she’s not writing, Maria enjoys running, picnics in the park, drinking tequila, Sylvia Plath’s poetry, camping, and tacos. Her work has been published in several literary magazines including Contemporary Verse 2, York Journal, and Imposter. She is the founder of Gather, a writing table dedicated to craft and community. Peeling Oranges is her highly anticipated debut poetry collection. Source

Love leaves leftovers

It’s been three years and I still have the French

keyboard enabled on my phone. Occasionally,

when I comment on poems on the internet,

It autocorrects love to liberté. (Which is fitting,

I suppose.) It’s been three years and I still sleep

facing the window because it’s good

to feel the sun when you wake. Everytime I see a squirrel

I think of how you, completely amazed

by their existence, tried to feed them peanuts

off your balcony railing. And how they came

to you and gently nuzzled your hands. I’ve never [ ]-talked

squirrels since. Love leaves leftovers, I’ve learned.

It’s never a clean escape. Oh but what a way

to say goodbye: here, I’ve loved you,

save some for later.

Published:

2024

Length:

Regular

Literary Movements:

Contemporary

Anthology Years:

2025

Themes:

Bilingual

Love & Relationships

Memory & The Past

Technology