Chirp
Chirp celebrates our curious, honest, insistent, romantic, particular ways — the songs in us that may just make the cut for a Monica Rico mixtape.
Echo, Lizzo, and Silo
Maybe you’re familiar with the movie or book High Fidelity. At one point in the story, Rob, who owns an independent record store in either London or Chicago, depending on whether you’re reading or watching, says, “What really matters is what you like, not what you are like.”
Monica’s TED Talks
People say fresh air makes you tired. Monica’s theory was that the effect is mostly dehydration. She advocated for everyone to drink more water than they thought they needed.
Oh, Typing
I once read something to the effect that a poem proposes a way of being. I can't recall who wrote that, but the idea sticks with me. If you were close to Monica, you probably knew her as quick to propose ways of being.
Brother’s Toast
I want to bathe
in the brilliance
of my sister.
Allow her light
to wash over us.
Oh, Everyone’s Related
Near our house by the river, there’s a groundhog named Phil, a raccoon named Rocky, a heron named Huey, a dozen or more dogs all named Larry, and unquantifiable red squirrels all named Biff.
Monica’s 184 Erasure Poems
Off and on from 2016 to 2018, Monica crafted erasure poems from books she was enjoying. She wound up with a total of 184 poems!
First Chirp
Todd Everett here. I’m Monica’s best friend. Monica said we’re soul birds, or maybe I said that. Either way, we agreed.