<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Mercury Moments]]></title><description><![CDATA[Mercury Moments is a personal blog and monthly literary magazine focused on creative arts, current events, and culture, catering to art enthusiasts and cultural explorers. The site features regular blog updates and a monthly magazine section available to paid subscribers, showcasing elegant design elements. It also facilitates memberships and digital subscriptions for user convenience.]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2026 19:52:30 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Pre-Order the Inaugural Issue Today!]]></title><description><![CDATA[The time has come. Let's re-imagine collective future Hello! It is with great pleasure that I share with you that the inaugural magazine is officially available for pre-order!  This month's issue "Re-Imagining Collective Future" is in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Greater United States. With features from poet Patricia Henderson, and an essay from yours truly. I am excited to share with you all.  $15.00]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/pre-order-the-inaugural-issue-today</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ac7e1e5b89f0f638e3a34fb</guid><pubDate>Thu, 08 Oct 2026 18:33:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_d800df8279204653bdc0b2e3373fddc3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Secrets of the Willow Tree]]></title><description><![CDATA[Oh, Weeping Willow, what secrets do you behold? silent cries and stolen kisses among the faded sunsets and slurred speeches? Do the declarations underneath render love? or do your leaves bare the truth, watered by the blood of heartache? Oh, Weeping Willow, what have you seen? Trying times prevail but your roots run deep. Steading in the earth, holding strong. A bitter fate many will face, yet, the sweetness of your love drips with every fall. like fruit, you ripen. enduring the eruptions of...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/secrets-of-the-willow-tree</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab4344c2ef047c8815170f1</guid><category><![CDATA[Things I Imagined]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 20:20:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_f5f37ecbd7844947873fb754b0215a13~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_480,h_587,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Division is Not just for Mathematics]]></title><description><![CDATA[I’ve been watching The Gilded Age on HBO Max and am excited for the new season to come out. If you aren’t familiar, here’s a quick synopsis: The Gilded Age is a historical drama set in New York during the Gilded Age era of the United States. Think Vanderbilt, railroads, the emergence of steel, and factory work. Some characters are historically accurate, such as Caroline Astor, a reflection of the socialite of the same name who ruled New York. While other characters, like George and Bertha...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/division-is-not-just-for-mathematics</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab43377536d88e3963d6a84</guid><category><![CDATA[Things I Imagined]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 20:17:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_fd2d52a0fd604f288d03b99abdd4c56f~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_369,h_609,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Another Day, Another]]></title><description><![CDATA[another day, another dollar. i made it to work today. a nickel for my time, and a penny for my thoughts. but the penny was discontinued, so do i stay or do i go? another day, another dollar. but, this one’s my last, and I gotta make it stretch so I’m not past due on my rent. another day, another dollar. PING I forgot about that subscription! i guess there goes my rent. another day, another dollar— still broke. but i made it to work today. ten minutes early in fact. why? you may ask. because...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/another-day-another</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab433112ef047c881516e71</guid><category><![CDATA[Things I Imagined]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 20:14:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_8fb050a205a44df6abd2ec23db90ffab~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_654,h_654,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Family Ties]]></title><description><![CDATA[The snow has been coming down for hours, and it doesn’t seem as if it is going to stop any time soon. The snowflakes are easily visible despite my need for glasses and are tapping against my ac unit obnoxiously. Or is that the birds trying to peck their way out of the cold while simultaneously taunting my cat? The storm brought us together today. And by “us” I mean my cousins. Too afraid of being left alone in the snow, we’re under the roof of my grandmother's home, surrounded by her prayers,...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/family-ties</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab432b824fe7c568d4e1714</guid><category><![CDATA[Things I Imagined]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 20:13:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_3266da5ffe8147c6b4ea091733ccb4cd~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[hands immersed in black soil]]></title><description><![CDATA[Okay, I have a secret to share. Are you ready? Are you sure you’re ready? I enjoy the benefits of gentrification. To an extent, okay?  I enjoy having access to my PureBarre classes and acai bowl immediately after, all within a fifteen-minute walk from my apartment. I really do. The thing is, I don’t feel comfortable knowing that this leisure comes at the cost of pushing out native residents of a [insert a random city name here]. Oftentimes, these residents are Black people and other people of...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/hands-immersed-in-black-soil</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab431dd623d83f4dfcb2ef6</guid><category><![CDATA[Things I Imagined]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 20:11:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_9f126428262a443498fa50a0c35a624f~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_480,h_376,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Oh, America, what a downward spiral]]></title><description><![CDATA[My love and disappointment for the US The American Spirit has been lost. The Spirit of anger, of disgust, and faith in one's ability has been lost amongst the citizens of the United States. Growing up in Pennsylvania during my formative years inspired a childlike wonder for my relationship with History. I had the luxury of being able to visit historical landmarks such as Betsy Ross’ home, President James Buchannan’s Wheatland, and the battleground of Gettysburg. Having field trips such as...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/oh-america-what-a-downward-spiral</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab43130623d83f4dfcb2daa</guid><category><![CDATA[Things I Imagined]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 20:07:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_609261e8c91f40fda929570867840cf0~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[You don’t need alcohol to have fun, just better djs]]></title><description><![CDATA[On Friday, June 20, 2026,  was the Fourth Annual “United We Heal” Film Festival in Philadelphia, PA. Located at Underground Arts, the festival showcased 11 storytellers whose work is centered around social justice, community issues, and often the ins and outs of Black livelihood. The films were all moving as they brought the audience to tears, laughter, and even the edge of their seat in featured films such as “Flesh &#38; Spirit” by Tiffany Lupien, “Laundry” by Alterik Miller, and “The Love...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/you-don-t-need-alcohol-to-have-fun-just-better-djs</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab42fd8623d83f4dfcb2abd</guid><category><![CDATA[Things I Imagined]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 20:04:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_31c26b00e12e4c31871280a0a9faa42a~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_330,h_330,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[fake futuring + unromantic gestures]]></title><description><![CDATA[I am no stranger to romance. I have had women be intentional about me, non-binary and trans folk woo me, and have had men romance me and study me. I’ve overlooked the Bay that Otis Redding would sing about during sunset, been kissed in the middle of the street as if lives depended on it, and been wine and dined with flowers and live orchestral performances. I realise I am one of the lucky ones. So imagine my surprise when I decided to give up on dating. I have been single for 5 and a half...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/fake-futuring-unromantic-gestures</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab42f2c623d83f4dfcb2939</guid><category><![CDATA[Eat, Pray, Love]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:57:40 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Adornment]]></title><description><![CDATA[I love tattoos. As a kid, I was always drawing on myself. Anything I could make with a Sharpie, I did it: stars, hearts, clouds, smiley faces– at the time, I believed my artistic abilities were limited. My mother hated it, mainly because she didn’t want the ink seeping into my veins and poisoning me. But what can I say? I loved the aesthetic that tattoos and piercings provide. The alternative look was so exciting to me, and my Tumblr reflected that. It wasn’t until I pierced my own ears that...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/adornment</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab42eea623d83f4dfcb28b4</guid><category><![CDATA[Eat, Pray, Love]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:56:36 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[the routine is killing me]]></title><description><![CDATA[staying alive and staying happy My apologies for the delayed newsletter; I so desperately needed a break. I needed a break from it all—the job, the routine, the stress, and the worry. I was burning out, and so I did the one thing that I could think of: I called my bestie and took a 24-hour trip to New York. On my way to meet her, I called up one of my line sisters. She and I were talking about the importance of having something to look forward to now that we’ve been in this adulting game for...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/the-routine-is-killing-me</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab42e2124fe7c568d4e0ce8</guid><category><![CDATA[Eat, Pray, Love]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:55:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_65e2879b80c2442284b7c91ad0c87f84~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[and yet, the sun rises]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s March 1st, and I am itching for Spring to begin. After several weeks of snowstorms, belowing-freezing temperatures, and these eclipses, I am so ready to feel the warmth of the sun and humid air. It’s imperative. But I must be honest, this winter was not restful for me. I’ve been working. I have been trying to make this white man's money—and when I wasn’t, I was running around the thirteen colonies as if I were on the run. I am beat. And there’s something about Spring that screams “lie in...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/and-yet-the-sun-rises</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab42dd924fe7c568d4e0c3d</guid><category><![CDATA[Eat, Pray, Love]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:52:15 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[God said to stop being humble.]]></title><description><![CDATA[In recent days, I’ve decided that I have no desire to be meek. Being raised with Southern Baptist ideals and foundations had truly ruined my self-esteem and humbled1 me into oblivion. When caught admiring myself, I was told that God would take my beauty away as easily as He gave it to me. That God loved me despite my sexuality and that He would “meet me where I’m at” as if I could not be loved loudly and boldly for all that I encompass. As if God didn’t create me to be such. I use the...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/god-said-to-stop-being-humble</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab42d55b2161adb0c756538</guid><category><![CDATA[Eat, Pray, Love]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:50:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_6c9e1bbd5dd94589b04c4c08e3ff42cd~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_904,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[the characterization of death &#38; rebirth]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hello and Happy New Year to those who follow the Gregorian Calendar! Four days into the year, how is it going for you? How did 2025 end for you? Speaking for myself, I have felt incredibly giddy and, honestly, a bit like Harley Quinn mentally. Don’t test me—I could explode. But we will have a good laugh in the meantime while we wait for the countdown towards the implosion. As we transition from December to January, we’re rolling into the new year. This holiday season was very different from...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/the-characterization-of-death-rebirth</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab42cd924fe7c568d4e0a0e</guid><category><![CDATA[Eat, Pray, Love]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:48:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_f7d235e64e72460ba1aa50081b713017~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_695,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[to fast women! may we be more like them.]]></title><description><![CDATA[I initially wanted to write this post about “fast women”. Women who are promiscuous and daring. Women who actively please themselves— physically and emotionally. Fast women possess a specific form of freedom that is spiritually liberating. As if there’s a burst of rays beaming from their chest and lighting up the room as they twirl and sway to the music, arms wide open and head swung back. They are joyous. I was watching the 1976 version of Sparkle starring Irene Cara with the women in my...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/to-fast-women-may-we-be-more-like-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab42c3ab2161adb0c7562be</guid><category><![CDATA[Eat, Pray, Love]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 19:46:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_f97006daf18e48b3a591df653ee29ff0~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[confessions of the eldest daughter]]></title><description><![CDATA[By 25, my nervous system had been shot. I have spent a lot of time living in chaos and maneuvering through life under pressure and the impression that something is bound to go wrong. When life seems to start to settle and be at ease, something has gone awry. At the beginning of my second year as a M.A. student, I found myself facing eviction with no immediate family to turn to. Did I mention I’m on the other side of the country as well? Admittedly, I froze and panicked. I had given up and...]]></description><link>https://www.mercurymomentsmedia.com/post/confessions-of-the-eldest-daughter</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6ab3fcf0db84ebfdfe9bb719</guid><category><![CDATA[Eat, Pray, Love]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2026 16:25:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/833f9f_8159cfd6b20043a08e894972a4cae736~mv2.webp/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Giera Mann</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>