Hello Reader,
My body has felt heavy and hyper-aware of bad news (local, national, global: it’s all connected in a heart-torn-asunder way) that has extended into my nighttime dream-world.
I was reminded by another lucid dreamer that I can shape the dream material. I forgot my power.
If I remember I have agency in the dream-space, then I can shift so much without going into battle, freezing up, or performing fawning and appeasement to survive.
It’s my dream. I can make it fantastic.
What if we dream a new way and embody what we are for, in the here and now?
In “The Serviceberry,” an essay on the gift economy and reciprocity, Robin Wall Kimmerer shares a story where a hunter says,“Store my meat? I store my meat in the belly of my brother.”
Robin’s neighbor invites others to enjoy the bounty of a Serviceberry patch, but not to make money. The neighbor says: “Everyone’s so sad now, […] but in the berry patch all I hear are happy voices. It feels good to give that little bit of delight.”
In a Marshall Project article on ICE protest frogs and joy as resistance, “tactical frivolity” is described as “[…] We are not just saying what we’re against. We are saying what we are for. […] and that can include a more open, vibrant, funny society where we have more fun together.”
Whether we find each other in the berry patch, at the poetry event, at the drag show, in the Zoom chat, on the street, at the cottage—I hope we invite some delight, fun, absurdity to sneak in.
As we gather and share, the more we will recognize our agency in the dream-space and the material world. I’ll see you out there, sweet dreamer.
Reflection
What's your version of the berry patch? What can you remember to carry with you in the dream-space and the material world?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
Do you have a group of besties or recurring virtual community that would like a private virtual somatic workshop session? Reach out to schedule. *I would love to support grassroots organizers, frontline folks, movement workers. For changemakers, I often offer a sliding pay-what-you-can scale. I can offer workshops in Spanish.
Guernica recently invited me to do a recording of an excerpt of my essay “Boca del Lobo.” You can listen on IG here.
Community & Care
Portland and the Northwest:
Paige Thomas in conversation with her sister Blair Thomas, to celebrate Person Under debut visual poetry collection on Tuesday March 3, 6:30 p.m. PT in-person at Literary Arts, Portland, OR.
Love this story about Noticias Noroeste, Spanish language news on YouTube offered by Antonio Sánchez.
Music and writing:
"Sound as Resistance," an offering from Transgender Law Center, is a Black History Month community-curated playlist honoring Black trans and queer artists, past and present, whose music carries our stories, survival, and joy.
Guitar players respond to a short story about a guitar player by Sara Jaffe.
I really love this Quarter Notes Issue 2.1 – Summer 2025.
A database for bilingual submissions to Spanish literary magazines.
The times we are in:
Prentis Hemphill’s short podcast episode "Finding Meaning in Action" reminded me of our collective agency.
The ACLU & No Kings gave a powerful training" Eyes on ICE: Document and Record." Check out an upcoming event or you can watch the recording here.
Re-sharing Digital Security Checklists for Activists, plain language steps for digital security, not just for activists, but for all people.
Soft Pants for Your Mind
Top Baby Elephant Tula-Tu Moments At The Oregon Zoo.
Bad Bunny's Grammy's tender and powerful speeches for Best Música Urbana Album, followed by Album of the Year. Finally, Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime show.
Notes & Citations
From Marshall Project, on the ICE Protest Frogs and “tactical frivolity.” https://www.themarshallproject.org/2025/10/22/trump-ice-portland-no-kings-protest
The Serviceberry | by Robin Wall Kimmerer, on gift economy and reciprocity https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/the-serviceberry
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.
