The Contributor (https://thecontributor.org/author/lisa-a/)
One thing about backbones. They rarely develop a consciousness that they are a backbone. Take white women, for example. We don’t realize that we’re the backbone of patriarchy! Or that we willingly or unwillingly support the whole structure that oppresses our fellow bones, ligaments and muscles that would be Black people, any people of color, Native Americans … Fellow women of all descriptions.
Can a 10 year old girl walk to your corner store, buy a popsicle, and return home safely alone?
Sleep apnea — I’ve had it since I was a teen or earlier. Why did it take me to age 63 to actually get help? The reason might be my age. Although I had inflamed tonsils as a child, no one thought to look for obstructive sleep apnea. I had frequent nightmares, dreams of falling which jolted me awake, uncontrollable daydreaming, and an inability to respond assertively in stressful social situations.
Both my friend and I have mental and emotional injuries. But we enjoy cooking for each other and we can deal with each other’s chaos while we try to help each other! For instance, she tripped over my new drafting table while we were trying to put it together. Everybody’s OK, including the table! Anyway, I was explaining to her about the plants on my porch and how I put old food in the ground to make compost.
The chartreuse lace of Spring drops her veil onto the trees.
Soon I will be covered by Her.
My heart rainsDroplets free fallPing off each empty chamberMy voice lost inside the parched valley of my mouthWater has come only to my eyesHuge mountains live in my throatMy arms a continuous two way roil of graniteDynamited to dust, choking out the world
Note: Some people ask, what is it like to suffer from depression? It is like that, only we struggle to find our way out of the grief. Thanks to The Contributor staff, volunteers and my patrons, I find my voice and begin to feel love and connection again.
I brought my latest sign to the street. It landed like a lead balloon. Except for with the kids!
One of the great things about East Nashville is it retains 19th century pre automobile city codes, which makes it very pedestrian friendly
People could wear red bench buttons, signifying they are available to sit down and talk, or offer a cup of coffee, or just give a person the time of day.