Hello Reader,
Over the new year, I was unexpectedly in Ohio, surrounded by piles of quiet snow.
I googled “wtf is a snow squall,” filled up the gas tank of the borrowed car so the tank wouldn’t freeze, physically experienced the weather app’s “feels like -6 degrees” in my bones.
It was a grief-laden trip to say goodbye to a loved one nearing the end-of-life.
I did my daily practices which are non-negotiable for me, like brushing my soul’s teeth. I was held by meditation, some form of movement on my travel yoga mat, writing and drawing in my journal.
In parallel, I read “The Wild Edge of Sorrow,” by psychotherapist and author Francis Weller who is dedicated to the soul work of grief and ritual.
Maybe I’m emo-goth por vida. Maybe I just need to not run from the heaviness. Let it pile like snow. Clear the snow with my gloved hands off the car windows.
I have known what Francis Weller describes as a “long apprenticeship with sorrow” including “Earth grief” for all the unresolvable loss and destruction of sacred life on Earth.
He speaks of “all the parts of us we cleave off to be acceptable.” I am less willing to cleave, more willing to be unacceptable for some, if that means I am whole.
In a podcast episode, Francis Weller is in conversation with sisters Autumn Brown and Adrienne Maree Brown. They discuss how rituals come from the Earth’s dreaming.
Our impulses for ritual come from someplace larger than us.
Adrienne mentions “We go to the ocean to write the book because the ocean can hold the book.”
The enormity of grief is more bearable in community which can can be found in a forest, a poetry reading, a Heated Rivalry watch party (with tuna melts, ginger ale, and mezcal hot toddies), your breath.
Go where you are held.
Reflection
Hold your face in your hands and know: You are not alone. Where are you held?
Resources
My Creative Updates & Offerings
Register for my free virtual creative writing workshop "Sound Portals: Music and Writing the Sonic Self," Tuesday February 3, at 12 noon PT (ends by 1:30 p.m. PT).
More details below:
In this generative writing workshop for all-levels, participants will enter music as a portal to personal narrative. How do our lush soundscapes shape us? How can music allow us to time-travel into our past and anchor our storytelling? How can the rhythmicity of song support our lyrical flow? Let’s play with personal narrative, the sonic, and the cosmic.
This event is sponsored by Mira Costa College and Glassless Minds Open Mic, with host and poet Karla Cordero.
Community & Care
Free 6-day online event, Nervous System Reboot Summit, featuring Nkem Ndefo and more, January 20-25.
For the new year, from Safia Elhillo, beautiful poems and writing prompts. And a comforting reflection from Nedra Tawwab.
From Kim Moy of Caregiver Wisdom, a pause for self reflection on the wellness wheel that I enjoyed recently.
Mutual aid through an IG winter raffle with gorgeous items and a good cause. Learn more about community and mutual aid in OPB’s Underground mutual aid group helps feed Hillsboro’s immigrant families in hiding.
PIRC's upcoming MIgra Watch trainings.
From Hyperallergic “Five Venezuelan Artists Respond to US Attacks."
A new ACLU report and portraits of protest.
Soft Pants for Your Mind
David Bryne's Tiny Desk concert.
A panda rolling professionally (I hope this is real, not AI, but it made me smile). May we all roll this professionally.
Notes & Citations
Francis Weller, psychotherapist and author of “The Wild Edge of Sorrow,” in a podcast episode conversation with sisters Autumn Brown and Adrienne Maree Brown in “How To Survive the End of the World."
A no-spoilers intro to Heated Rivalry. More on the stars in Heated Rivalry,
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.
