as a young person, i began writing poetry in a college course i got to take while i was still in high school. over the next 30 years, i would return to poetry, time after time, but couldn't settle into the self-awareness necessary for meaningful writing. when i was 47, i radically overhauled my life and poetry became important to that process. over the last 15 years, i've relied on poetry to help me reflect, to process difficult events and emotions, and to enhance the depth and breadth of my recovery.
when i consider the work that CNAM does to build a safe and welcoming community for refugees, i am grateful beyond words. that sounds pretty silly since i'm trying to convince you to part with money for poetry. but i know that, regardless of the quality and volume of poetry we'll create in November, none of it will be able to adequately describe or measure what it means to feel safe and supported when everything you know as familiar has been left behind. we're going to be writing the poems...but your donation is what makes the real magic happen.
thank you for being here and for giving what you can.
#everythingmatters
