WRITING THROUGH HARD TIMES COURTESY OF DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LIGHTHOUSE WRITERS WORKSHOP THE HARD TIMES WRITING WORKSHOP IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN DENVER PUBLIC LIBRARY AND LIGHTHOUSE WRITERS WORKSHOP. IT’S OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. EACH MONTH, THE DENVER VOICE PUBLISHES A SELECTION OF WRITING FROM THESE WORKSHOPS. INFORMATION ABOUT VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS: LIGHTHOUSEWRITERS.ORG/WORKSHOP/DENVER-PUBLIC-LIBRARY-HARD-TIMES MORE WRITING BY THE POETS FEATURED IN THIS COLUMN: WRITEDENVER.ORG PETE SIMON THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY Everything was too quiet, all was too peaceful as they welcomed another believer into their unmasked midst. The procession continued too quiet, when the invisible destroyer fell them one-by-one; leaving each gasping for air; like gasping ones who were placed on triage, because there are not enough hospital beds and respirators left. Like Old Man River, The Invisible Destroyer of no boundary; no social; no economic status; just keeps quietly moving along. DANIEL ANGEL MARTINEZ TIME TO BURN Under a viaduct a homeless veteran stands before a barrel fire. He feeds it with badnewsletters, notwantedads and crumpledpastlifenotes. An overwhelming smoke joins forces with storm clouds overhead conspiring to stir up the barrel ingredients to create a toxic brew. Will it swallow him up or will he swallow it up? He takes a deep breath, reaches in his tattered coat for his rot gut (now his chaser) and he drinks his medicine. MARIANNE REID ACROSTIC POEM Racial unity Essential to our survival Cultural exchange to engage Options for meaningful peace No political division Careful to honor the Image of God we see in each person Loved equally Inspired forgiveness A peace that overcomes fear To cover us, to Inhibit misconceptions Of others Nothing is impossible PRESENTED BY: January 2021 DENVER VOICE 11
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