We are nearly halfway through the Slice of Life Challenge 2026, and I can’t believe how quickly we are moving! I’m enjoying all the things I’m learning from bloggers all around the world and connecting with them through the power of words.
I’ve sent both my daughters a copy of Make Believe: poems for hoping again by Victoria Hutchins. It’s one of those poetry collections that right from the first page, you’re nodding in agreement with full head movement even if you’re in a room all alone. You have full conversations with Victoria, as if she were your best friend or even your sister. After you read each poem, it’s your turn to reply, and you do – – imagining she is right there at the table with a cup of coffee, wearing pajamas and eating a Mason jar of overnight oats while you chat the morning away with her in your head.
Victoria Hutchins rose to poetic fame on Instagram and TikTok. You can listen to an interview with her and read more about her here. Hutchins offers hope and encouragement in dark days through each poem.
Listen
At first, I didn’t recognize her.
Almost everyone is a stranger until you zoom in or pan out.
The life of it has hollow eyes.
That’s the thing about imaginary friends.
That’s by design.
Listen closely and maybe you’ll realize – it isn’t your voice.
Taken from these poems, in this order: god on Main Street; panda aspen grove; is the party dead already?; god as imaginary friend; blindside; whose hate did you swallow?
Common Threads 
Kim,
”Whose hate did you swallow?” is a title that makes me want to read more. What a brilliant title and question. Your cento reminds me of my grandson and how no one is a stranger to him. He calls everyone “friend.” Your cento captures that idea of nodding w/ the poet’s voice as you read. Each line entices and provokes deep thought. I’ll be thinking about imaginary friends all day.
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Love learning about this poet from you! Thanks for the link!
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I am buying all those poetry books as a gift to myself for my 70th birthday, which is coming soon, and I am not going to feel guilty one little bit! Thank you!
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Happy birthday!
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Kim,
I’m intrigued by this line. I’m going to carry it with me and think more about it.
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I’m not familiar with Victoria Hutchins, but I definitely would like to read some of her poems. The lines you chose are captivating.
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Kim, this is a new poet for me. You are inspiring me to make cento sticks with beautiful lines of poetry. Have you read / do you follow Joseph Fasano? Another living poet doing striking work.
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I will check him out for sure. Thanks so much, Denise!
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I love the image you’ve created of realizing your imaginary friend is around. I’m in awe of these centos you’ve been creating, and I’m loving learning about all these new-to-me poets!
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Thank you so much, Natasha!
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