Gifting Poetry to the Heart of the Empire

I spent the weekend in DC at Split This Rock, festival of poetry and social change. So inspiring and challenging!

we arrived with open pages
to celebrate the sacrament
of revolution
reconciliation
together
we have glimpsed it in each other
whiffed its fragrance between our palms
kneaded it into our bread
ate without thinking

at imposing steps of injustice
beneath pillars that stopped
growing centuries ago
a woven message
welcomed the new becoming

we walked peace
breathed peace
wrote peace



I brought home the words of June Jordan:
I am a stranger
learning to worship the strangers
around me                                                                                   

whoever you are                                                                                

whoever I may become. 

Spring is for Growing

Nothing like the recent deluge of gorgeous weather to get me in the mood for gardening. The collard greens I planted back in October weathered our mild winter beautifully, and they've now started growing like crazy. Yesterday I harvested some dark green leafy goodness for a raw collard salad – well, calling it a "salad" is a bit of a stretch when I just tore up the leaves, tossed them with a little sea salt, pepper, and lime juice, and happily chewed away. Fresh greens are glorious, especially when I've been eating so many CSA potatoes, turnips, and mushrooms. And speaking of that, my winter pantry share from Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op is in its last week -- what better inspiration to plant seeds and get some local produce sprouting in my backyard?  I cut toilet paper rolls in half to make seed-starter pots that I can plant directly in the ground! Like peat pots, only free -- if you raid the bathroom trash can.

Jars

I've been meaning to do this for awhile now. Thank you Mariposa Food Co-op for the bulk item sale!