Awake: June thoughts on writing, reading, and the world

Where we were so recently quiet, locked down, constrained, now something has awakened, escaped, exploded.

I'm thinking about verbs. I'm thinking about hurt. I'm thinking about where words fit into this mess. I'm thinking about you all, about the connections we've made that sustain us. And about all the connections that are damaged, rotted out like an old battery.

I don't have anything insightful or comforting to say about the recent events across our country, about the hurt and the rage and the suffering. I can only offer what I know--art, poetry. I hope you find something below that supports you in some way. I hope that all the hurt we are seeing in the world leads to something better.

J.

Ending: The Mothership is closing

The Mothership co-working space, of which I have been a member since 2016, is closing this month. Their closing was driven by a confluence of events that include the pandemic as well as the realities of the real estate market in Durham--their lease was up this year, and moving was already on the horizon. Here is the Indy Week's article about the Mothership and its closing, and . I encourage you to read both. There will be an opportunity to share memories of the space both virtually and in person.

This is a profound loss for me, for the community of Durham. The Mothership was a deeply special place to my writing and teaching, and was critical to many transformations on those fronts. To each of you who set foot in the Mothership, thank you. You were a part of what made it special. I will miss it, and am grateful for all the ways the Mothership's community and values will continue after the physical space is gone.