Shala Kerrigan

I need to use this more often, but I'm kind of caught up in getting ready for a couple shows soon. (vendor) and putting together "low-content" books in KDP.

Which means some journals/notebooks, but also trying to get a bunch of bead graph paper books up.

all the effort we spend
trying to understand

other people's lives
other people's existence

we force them to explain
and defend them
over and over again.

when they
look
love
worship
eat
live

differently than we do

instead of just appreciating
those differences exist.

I was in a mood and made a few bracelets to express my feelings.

Sometimes I think heaven must be

people
cheerfully
peacefully
coexisting

enough for everyone
to pursue dreams in safety
and in communities of others
who can work together

as their truest most beautiful selves

and it could happen
right here right now

except for the people who believe in hell.

"Let's introduce ourselves!"
"Se uzra Shala"

i don't know many words
maybe a double handful more

but saying it in a room full of women
who knows how hard it was to hold
words for the future from our past,

it feels like a victory

to introduce myself in my Native language.

Pro-life*

All those every day problems
were made worse in 2020

by the realization how little people
cared about the health and well-being

of their friends, neighbors, family

if keeping them alive and well

meant the inconvenience of wearing a mask

*some exceptions apply

Have you ever noticed
when you talk about
racism
sexism
bigotry

the rights of people to live happy safe peaceful lives
according to their own beliefs and wishes

People of a certain political persuasion

Will defend themselves?

Will see it as an accusation?

Their defense is a confession.

Oh. Intro. Except so far, you all know me.

I'm a lifelong progressive- as in "My Mom was friends with Mike Gravel before I was born and my father was part of the American Indian Movement".

I believe we can be better, that we can create better for the future. If you believe the same, follow me!

One day, i asked myself

"Self! What if.."

(a lot of the best questions start that way)

just what if

small victories and good things,
treasures found, kindnesses given and received

make your day just as much

as a small thing can ruin it?

it was hard
it was worth it

Be unreasonably excited

some people this holiday season
will have joy and peace

in greater measure.

having told relatives
"we have other plans"

they have made plans with friends
and chosen families

the peacemakers will dine together
because their relatives chose violence.

it's time for them to see what they chose.

The American dream
was always better..

an active dream

Of a better future we might not live in

We live in other people's dreams of the future

we owe the next generation more
than half-done maintenance
on the dreams of the past.

"Why do you want him to fail?
Do you hate America?"

Despite it all,
i'm a patriot.

i have been,

even when i was spit on
and called a "commie dyke bitch"
when Reagan was president.

i believed, i always believed

in an ideal and idea

that we can be better.

he will fail

because he doesn't.

"Be nice!"

but nice is a social construct
of acceptable behavior

and if society will not uphold
me
or the people i love

why should i empower it's constructs
to make it easier for people

to tear down
to destroy
to ruin

all of it?

i will not be nice.

But i will try my best to be good.

maybe micro poetry
short stories
lyrics of hope

will fit well in 300 characters

to remind us

of joy
hope
light
dance
song
love.

because we love and must love

with ferocity
commitment

to protect what is precious

which is life love art joy stories of each other
communication and community

Absolutely!

I love you too!

Walk softly and spin a big stick.