Summer Friday’s in Portland: Sign up for “Somatic Sometimes,” body-mind practices. Register for one on one custom sessions, private group sessions, or a cozy & casual group class on August 15 at 4:15 p.m. PT.
Hello Reader,
Last summer I attended a “Poets for Palestine” open-mic event. I went last-minute, alone with a couple poems in hand (poems make great company).
I noticed my anxiety but I made it out the door anyways and used my supportive practices to be more comfortable.
I walked into a room of strangers. One of the strangers made shortbread cookies and yarrow mint tea to share. The organizers adjusted the sound to make it more accessible to those seated outdoors.
The host invited people to read their own work, or to read work from the books scattered around the room, or even something written fresh in real-time while at the event.
The longer I stayed, the less certain I was that the people around me were strangers. Maybe I would never see some of them again, but we were connected.
I didn’t know anyone at the poetry event, but I felt cared for. I felt caring. More than that, I was cared for. I was caring.
I chatted with the kind stranger, Kjirsten Tornfelt, who made the cookies and tea to share. We learned we are both singer-songwriters. Now, a year later, I’ll be singing at their Songwriter’s Circle on August 17.
How easily a room full of strangers can become a community, even if fleeting—and isn’t it all fleeting?
May kinship be abundant and found in nourishing each other, in listening to each other’s sounds (stories, cries, songs, sighs)—laughter of children, birdsong, awkward and earnest hello’s to strangers, the breeze through the trees.
We are alive together, and we are worthy of each other’s care and attention. We can offer each other cookies, tea, poems, and songs.
Reflection
What do you like to share with others? What has someone shared with you recently that soothed you?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
“Somatic Sometimes,” body-mind practices: Learn to support your stress & relaxation with gentle movement & gentle rest. Register for a cozy & casual small group class for group practice on August 15 at 4:15 p.m. PT at the gorgeous space curated by Diana at REVEAL Healing Arts, in SE PDX. Use coupon code TINYLOVE20 for a 20% off discount through August 31.
Book an in-person 1:1 private session or get a group of besties for a private group session and try a little co-regulation to kick off your weekend. Private group sessions are for you to gather with your dear ones to learn & practice somatic tools in a split-cost more affordable option. Bilingual Spanish/English/Spanglish available. I also offer virtual/online options.
I’ll be performing music at a Songwriter’s Circle, curated by Kjirsten Tornfelt & Eric Brown on the evening of August 17, on the backyard patio of Replicant Bar & Bottle Shop, 7033 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR. It’s a super sweet outdoor space, with delicious cocktails including NA drinks, and vegan pizza, snacks, etc.
Community & Care
For my small business owner friends out there, I’m loving these resources from Tristan Katz on marketing with the nervous system in mind, and the difference between relational and transactional marketing.
Re-shared IG posts from Palestinian American poet and novelist, Hala Alyan includes The Zaynab Project and a post from Writers Against The War on Gaza @wa_wog, with Eight Initiatives to feed, clothe, and shelter Palestinians under siege.
I’m not traveling this summer, but for those that are, here’s ACLU’s Know Your Rights: Enforcement at the Airport, and info on protest surveillance technologies.
Tips on traveling with Long COVID and Kim Moy, founder of Caregiver Wisdom, shares planning tips that take into account chronic illness and disability.
I just started following the Gourmet Spoonie Substack, with lower-effort recipes and kitchen tips that take into account chronic illness and fatigue.
Soft Pants for Your Mind
Lighting candles for the passing of Andrea Gibson. Their poem might give you goosebumps: Acceptance Speech after Setting the World Record in Goosebumps. One more poem via Button Poetry.
I used to read a lot of Charles Bukowski in high school, alongside lots of other sad men’s music and writing, like the Beat poets. This made me smile: If Charles Bukowski Wrote A Children’s Book About Emotional Regulation, by Heather Kays.
Notes & Citations
No notes this time. Just cookie crumbs. Yum!
Let’s resource! Let’s play! Let’s happen to notice, together.
In peace,
Vanessa Micale
Founder of Poderosa Voz LLC
(she, they, ella)
P.S. You can show your support by sharing this micro-newsletter with a friend, or you can send me a digital tip and treat me to a pastry.
P.P.S. Sharing resources is one of my love languages. Is there a resource related to somatic and creative realms you want to see or you know of? Hit reply and let me know.
