Some words land like a heartbeat.
Others feel like home.
Emily Long’s poem How To Stay somehow does both.
When we first read Emily’s piece, it stopped us. Not in a loud, look-at-me way, but in the way a deep breath or a long hug can remind you that you’re here, alive, and still becoming. It was gentle. Grounding. Human.
So we’re beyond honored to be printing it—word for word—on an Only Humxn tee.
Her piece How To Stay isn’t just a poem—it’s a practice. A reminder to make cringe art. To cry yourself clean. To believe in magic. To keep going.
We especially love something Emily shared with us:
“One of my poetry teachers says, ‘the more specific, the more universal,’ and I’m a big believer in that.”
We couldn’t agree more. In the specificity of strawberries, blushing skies, and neighborhood flowers, there’s something universal—something humxn—that reminds us we’re not alone in this.
You can read more of Emily’s work on Instagram @emdashemi and at emilylongwrites.com.
How To Stay is more than just a tee. It’s a love letter to this life. An invitation to begin again. A call to stay open; stay tender; stay humxn.
Every purchase helps us continue doing what we believe in: creating clothing that sparks connection, and amplifying the voices that need to be heard.
Grab yours now. Wear your truth. Support a queer writer.
1 comment
I love this so very much.