Inspired by Wendell Berry’s ‘How to be a Poet’
September 23, 2020
There are no unsacred places
fits as I sit at my makeshift workspace
bed behind me
small child watching cartoons
and I write
put pen to paper
allow sacredness to fall
like incense filling the church
high holy days
the birds are rattling
the leaves of the elder maple
creating nests and song
sharing sacred notes
through my window
and today was a sacred day
36 years ago
after my mother heard news
the baby had died in the womb
and yet
here I am
sacred life in a sacred space
writing a poem – Lori Lux – Fearless Writers Intern 2020-2021
Wisdom in Work
There is wisdom in work. Wisdom is growing old. Wisdom is being still and patient. I don’t like to admit this. It sound like bragging to say I am wise. What I have learned over time is children are wise and forget that wisdom with the pressure of society. What I have learned is that teenagers are brave and truthful even when it hurts. What I have learned is my mother, now in her seventies, is realizing her wisdom, excited to share it with anyone who will listen. To be wise as I am is an honor. To survive the struggle, the difficulty of being a willful child, honest adolescent, and bold adult is a wonder, an impossibility, a story worht telling. Heather M. Sloane – 2020-2021
Inspired by pictures of Community
I see community as like coming together like a union. I also see it like forming alliance. A community can mean so many things like building a relationship with others and helping others out. Amariano Williams – Rogers High School 2020-2021
This is where I belong. The grocery owner knows my name, he knew my mom when she was a kid. My old high school is just around the corner and all my teachers remember my name. I think I have finally found my home. Dai’Ja Banks – Fearless Writers Intern 2020-2021
My home away from home. I can never be completely alone. I walk down the street to and I see everyone just living their lives. I’m so happy that I got a place to call my home. Everyone is so welcoming with smiles and greetings, I have finally built my own place of community. Dai’Ja Banks – Fearless Writers Intern 2020-2021
who; a remembering
shapes and colors and me and you
creating what we can’t think our way through
could you pick up your laundry off the floor? i grumble
what’s for dinner tonight? your grumbling belly wonders
here, why don’t you help me stir the pasta
where are we off to today?
a walk, the lake, arts and crafts, an adventure
is there anything we’re really here for
but to “love, anyways?”
you taught me how to see
showed me the who i want to be
soft and strong; present and attuned
my first taste of authentic community
of a life lived in techno-color
with one big hug, you invited me in,
twirled me around, melted me down,
built me up, and blessed my going
to carry you
here.
where community from scratch
has been shaped person by person
by day by week by month by God
and has called me ever-new to learn to love again
anyways, these wacky, confounding souls placed
in my path with purpose, with meaning,
with love, with mystery
why?
what am i seeking?
who am i to see?
who am i to be?
here. Clare Scantling – Mentor Med 2020-2021
I hermit. It is true. I love the movement and life around me. The sound of a neighbor dog barking, the hum of a plane dividing the sky, the delivery person, the familiar scratching of the recycling truck that sends my cat under the bed.
I shy away from getting involved, boldly greeting my neighbor at the mailbox. I wonder who is alone in my neighborhood, what I could do to brighten their day and yet I stay distanced. I long to be a better neighbor to reach out to get involved more than I do.
I am aware I could do more. I am aware I cling to excuses. I am lucky to live in my neighborhood, but I never tell my neighbors I feel lucky. Maybe this, this will be the push, the push I need to finally act, to fight the urge to isolate, and take the risk to make a difference. Heather M. Sloane 2020-2021
Inspired by pictures of 1970s
I spend the entire day in the early 1970s delightful and relaxing. There are many ways you can entertain yourself, for example you can have good taste of musical style. You can express your feelings in many ways with the type of fashion you wear or even the music you listen to. So spending time in the early 1970s would be amazing. Amariano Williams -Rogers High School 2020-2021
Inspired by 70s photos of African Americans
October 10, 2020
She stopped on the corner
and checked for traffic
ran across the street
straightened her belt
as she hopped the curb
heart pounding deep and loud
in the back of her throat
she felt her feet on the pavement
and listened to the gentle tap
heels click as she walks
her first protest
her palms were sweaty
and she stopped
wondering if she should turn around
was she safe
would it be worth it
she lifted her eyes
and saw the building
mural painted side
vibrant, swirly colors
surrounding the outline of a face
it vibrated with life
her heart slowed
her breath followed
she straightened
wiped her palms
and felt her power Lori Lux – Fearless Writers Intern 2020 – 2021
My mother is struggling with the realization that black lives do not matter in a way they should in our country.
I see the pain in her face when she says, “I didn’t realize.” This is hard for me to swallow and yet my life has been touch by black lives from the beginning. I have heard the stories, I have seen the tears, felt the grieving, and have been furious for a long time. My life has been beside black lives.
She admits to racist thoughts, to raise her awareness to wake up what has been implicit. I do my best to be patience – to have empathy, and I think, “Mom, this is really not that hard – love someone.” I realize she lives on an island away from any one who could share their story. With COVID this makes it even more difficult and I realize how we have all been a part of creating this, where lives are distanced, the thought being for the better, but we are robbed of each other.
Change is difficult in separation and yet it is our duty to build bridges – continually, tenaciously- no excuses. Heather M. Sloane 2020-2021
It is raining; the raindrops are dancing in the city puddles. I hold my dad’s hand as we rush to school dodging people huddled under umbrellas.
My dad sees a friend. He wears a long, fur coat and has high-heeled boots. His sideburns are long and he is much flashier than my dad. I recognize him from the bus. He has finally bought a car and promises to take me for a ride, bragging about the cigarette lighter and automatic windows.
I am distracted by a poster announcing a music performance. The picture swirls with color; it draws me in. The image screams sunshine and flowers and I move closer wanted to escape into it. I pull away from my dad out from under the umbrella not noticing the rain cascading down my face. My dad eventually notices and scolds me for getting wet.
We push back into the bustle through the revolving door and into the bright, warm lobby of my school. Heather M. Sloane 2020-2021
Inspired by the color Yellow :
Slices of Happy
I finally got my own slice of happiness. It’s finally all mine. It wasnt given to me by anyone, so nobody can take it away from me. My own slice of happy, it feels to good to be real. My own slice of happy , could it be that I’m finally healed? I dont want to rush because it could be to good to be true, but I finally have my own slice of happy . How about you? Dai’Ja Banks – Fearless Writers Intern 2020-2021
Inspired by images of Meadows :
Silence
I can finally relax my thoughts and began to express myself. My words are starting to flow more and more, I think I’m starting to get the hang of this. The more I write, the more I become free. Silence is my friend and it’s calling me to be who I want to be. Outspoken and free. Dai’Ja Banks – Fearless Writers Intern 2020-2021
Inspired by images of Rainbows:
Colors
The warmth I feel when I see colors. Everyone is so centered and balanced with nothing but a smile to great you. We all make each other feel as if we belong here and there is no divide. The rainbow is welcoming and inviting, it’s telling me to come home. It’s not so scary, it’s actually inviting. I think we should all have just a little more color in our life. Dai’Ja Banks – Fearless Writers Intern 2020-2021
Fearless Writers Toledo 