#apostrophe

"God-With-Us" Reginald Shepherd

after Jean Valentine

What will I call you when you are gone? How will I know your name? Little star, reflection on the Sea of Galilee, a lantern in the wood, half-hid, half-seen? reflecting on what can’t be touched, be known? And the sheen of milk across the sky, the galaxy poured out like me, true sky, false dawn, and a young woman’s nipple, star of milk, star of a nursing child’s mouth, my child, my lord, whoever you may be today, tonight which will not end, a cup passed to me, from which I may or may not drink, half-empty star, still asleep by now? And your small body, Emmanuel, (how small my heart to fit inside yours) lie there, pearled, asleep… How I want to believe. (a pearl, an irritant).

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This was the last poem Reginald Shepherd wrote, from the hospital, about two weeks before his 2008 death. The quotation marks in the title complicate it in the best way, I think. It's not necessarily something he's saying; it's an idea he's talking about. (Or that's my guess, anyway.)

One possible reference: God With Us was written on the belt buckles of German soldiers going into battle in World War I. (As noted by his partner Robert Philen in the foreword to the posthumously published Red Clay Weather.)

+ Previously shared: Tantalus in May, Reginald Shepherd

Feast:

The cover for this issue has Jughead putting on a dress for Betty. This story has Jughead putting on a dress for Reggie, beginning with women’s or womens’ shoes (Did Strunk and White revise this punctuation rule in the 1960s?) – so, large ones. There is some “what is going on?” with some of the lettering - - “numbskull” and “you’re” and “pumps” – maybe good in distracting from asking the same for the story.

📚✨ Grammar Check: Chris’ or Chris’s?

Let’s settle this once and for all. 👇

🔸 If you’re following AP Style (like in journalism):

✅ Chris’ book 🛑 Chris’s book

🔸 If you’re following Chicago Style or standard grammar rules:

✅ Chris’s book 🛑 Chris’ book

💡 The general rule:

Add ’s to singular names—even if they end in s (Chris’s hat, James’s dog).

But journalism prefers just the apostrophe (Chris’ article) for cleaner flow.

So … you’re both right. It just depends on the style you’re using! 😅🖋️