Alternative Tacks
A poem and a prompt to remind us that aliveness is still ours to claim
Dear friend, sit up. Put your feet on the ground. Look out a window if you can. Take a ridiculously deep breath. Life is a lot right now. Take a poetry break.
Inauguration
It’s five degrees and democracy is falling and I am walking home when my neighbor–whose name I don’t even know– looks me in the eye and implores me to stop, right there: Stand still in that beam of sunlight. Trust me
Check in with yourself. Maybe for today, those ridiculously deep breaths are enough. Maybe you can find your own beam of sunlight, literal or metaphorical. That is enough.
If you need a more concrete outlet for your feelings, I invite you to try writing something along the lines of one of these poets:
Use James Crews’ poem, What to Inaugurate Instead as a template. Write (as a poem, list, or journal entry) what in this world you do find worthy of pomp, honor, and praise.
Use Saeed Jones’ poem, My Project 2025, inspired by Maggie Smith as a template. Write (again, as a poem, list, or journal entry) about your intentions for making the world a better place this year. Be serious, snarky, or all of the above.
Feel free to share what you make in a message or comment—or even better, with someone IRL—a partner, or neighbor, or friend.
With light, life, and love,
Devon
