What is Held

Adhara Mereles — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 20:18:49 GMT

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I’m thrilled to share an essay I wrote that’s featured in , Issue #16, honoring the theme “Heart.” The editor, , and her team, did a beautiful job with the publication and I am wholeheartedly grateful for this opportunity.

In the recent years, I’ve become fascinated by the relationship between grief and joy, sadness and beauty—dichotomies that play such a profound part of our human existence. This story is a reflection on impermanence, and the importance of love.

In A Flash

Issue #16: "What is Held" by Adhara Mereles

Introduction by Casey Mulligan Walsh…

15 days ago · 9 likes · 4 comments

The article includes a special Q&A conversation between Casey and me about inspiration, love, and writing.

My Grandmother's Art

Adhara Mereles — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:28:16 GMT

Well, this is exciting. My first Substack post. It is a privilege to celebrate creativity and connection with you. I’m honored to share my poetry and prose. Here goes.

This is an ekphrastic poem I wrote about a work of art my late grandmother painted for me when I was a teenager. It is a lovely replica of Van Gogh’s painting, The Poet’s Garden, an original work that is part of the permanent collection at the Art Institute of Chicago. I’m lucky enough to swoon over my grandmother’s version daily, which hangs in my bedroom.

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published

My Grandmother’s Art

Her brush strokes cast
a dozen shades of green 
across a field 
as vast as my longing 
for our intimate conversations.

Lavender blooms dot the canvas
beneath a canary-yellow sky
my grandmother painted
while whistling without a sound.
Blowing air
through pursed lips
A sign of devotion.

Memories of her passionate personality
flood the artwork’s impressionistic trees.

How well she captured
Van Gogh’s celebration 
of nature
with this replica
The Poet’s Garden,

a lush forest 
she gifted to me
as though she knew
my life would blossom
into poetry.

The Star That Fell for the Sea

What is Held

My Grandmother's Art