2 $ APRIL 3, 2026 | VOLUME 17 | ISSUE 8 YOUR PURCHASE BENEFITS THE VENDORS. PLEASE BUY ONLY FROM BADGED VENDORS. In loving memory of Melvin Parson. page 13 MEET YOUR VENDOR: LARZELL WASHINGTON PAGE 3 15 YEARS OF NEWS AND SOLUTIONS FROM THE GROUND UP | WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH. Public typewriter at Literati Bookstore poetry edition 2026 29 poems, by 21 unique poets THIS PAPER WAS BOUGHT FROM • Proposal: Housing-development accelerator • Charbonneau: Open your eyes to housing inequity. PAGE 4 @groundcovernews, include vendor name and vendor #
2 GROUNDCOVER NEWS GROUNDCOVER15 APRIL 3, 2026 PROVIDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELFDETERMINED INDIVIDUALS IMPACTED BY POVERTY, PRODUCING A STREET NEWSPAPER THAT GIVES A PLATFORM TO UNDERREPRESENTED VOICES IN WASHTENAW COUNTY, PROMOTING AN ACTION TO BUILD A JUST, CARING AND INCLUSIVE SOCIETY. Groundcover News, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in April 2010 as a means to empower lowincome persons to make the transitions from homeless to housed, and from jobless to employed. Vendors purchase each copy of our regular editions of Groundcover News at our office for 50 cents. This money goes towards production costs. Vendors work selling the paper on the street for $2, keeping all income and tips from each sale. Vendors are the main contributors to the paper, and are compensated to write and report. Street papers like Groundcover News exist in cities all over the United States, as well as in more than 40 other countries, in an effort to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people and combat the increase in poverty. Our paper is a proud member of the International Network of Street Papers. We are hosting an Ypsi New Vendor Orientation on Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m. at the Ypsilanti District Library (Michigan Ave branch - Room 2 in the basement)! STAFF Lindsay Calka — publisher Cynthia Price — editor ISSUE CONTRIBUTORS Zoe Behnke Emeri Jade Bey Pony Bush Monique Caldwell Pedro Campos Cassie Catania Jason Michael Church Marquetta "Q" Clements The Confused Cloud La Shawn Courtwright David Crane Earth Day Planning Committee Christopher Ellis Diana Fead Amanda Gale Kimani Hamilton augustine jay Mike Jones Didem Kochan Lorraine Lamey Ryan McCarty Peter Michaelson Veronica Sanitate Denise Shearer Philip Spink Ciatta Tucker Joe Woods PROOFREADERS Susan Beckett June Miller Anabel Sicko VOLUNTEERS Jessi Averill Sim Bose Jud Branam Libby Chambers Luiza Duarte Caetano Jacob Fallman Ben Foster Glenn Gates Robert Klingler Priya Kothari Aklesia Maereg Harper Margolies Margaret Patston Mary Wisgerhof Max Wisgerhof Emilie Ziebarth CONTACT US Story and photo submissions: submissions@groundcovernews.com Advertising and partnerships: contact@groundcovernews.com Office: 423 S. 4th Ave., Ann Arbor Mon-Sat, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 734-263-2098 @groundcover @groundcovernews DONATE, LISTEN TO OLD ISSUES + LEARN MORE www.groundcovernews.org WAYS TO SUPPORT 1. Buy the paper, read the paper. 2. Get the word out — We rely on grassroots marketing. Talk to people about Groundcover and share us with your network. 3. Volunteer — You'll learn a lot about our vendors, the newspaper and your community. Interested in volunteering regularly? Fill out the form on our website. 4. Advertise your company, organization, event or resource — see rates below. 5. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram — promote our posts and share your favorite articles and vendor interactions. 6. Donate items — A seasonally appropriate list of items most needed at our office and on the street is available on our website. Drop off anytime we're open.
APRIL 3, 2026 POETRY MEET YOUR VENDOR Spring has Sprung. EMERI JADE BEY Groundcover vendor No. 660 A nimals finally coming out of hibernation. P retty flowers and trees in bloom. R ain boots just in case. I love Spring time, how about you? L isten to the birds sing a sweet song of Spring every morning. Gratitude EMERI JADE BEY Thank you God for another day, Another day in the land of the living. Larzell Washington, vendor No. 128 In one sentence, who are you? I am a motivated person. Where do you usually sell Groundcover? Everywhere. When and why did you start selling Groundcover? Because I’m a peopleperson and I love to communicate. What words do you live by? Expect the same respect and you will make it. What is something about you that someone on the street wouldn’t know? I can speak a little Mandarin and Japanese. What motivates you to work hard selling? My love for people motivates me. If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Chef’s salad. What’s your superpower? LOVE. What’s the most interesting thing that happened to you when selling Groundcover? I have met the most interesting people who have walked the Earth. What change would you like to see in Washtenaw County? To get rid of opiates and stop pushing in the county jail. The county jail shouldn’t turn into a methadone clinic. Please Help! JASON MICHAEL CHURCH Everyone please listen to we. We all need to help the trees. All we have to do is pick up the leaves. If we do not, the trees will fall down indeed. Too many leaves cover the ground. Now from the bottom the sun is not found. When it rains the leaves soak it all up. The roots are not able to help their trees much. Let us remember that trees give us air. So get to the parks and show that you care. Bring a trash bag, fill it with leaves. Help mother nature who everyday bleeds. For us all to have our everyday things. It feels so good to help, you will probably sing. "Thank you so much!" The trees will surely say, If you go out and help them today. Settle KIMANI HAMILTON Groundcover vendor No. 518 Dancing in the rain KIMANI HAMILTON When I dance in the rain I simply thank God When I dance in the rain I’m simply at one with God When I dance in the rain I’m simply cleansed by the Earth’s natural water When I dance in the rain I’m peaceful In the world we live in we settle For basic happiness We settle For low paying jobs We settle For basic care We settle For today Hoping for a good tomorrow. We settle for basic love Which we think we deserve We settle for a basic medicine Which treats, not cure So why settle We finally figured out what is most important. In life, simply to not ignore it. Next would be breathing and posture. Not acting if the thinking is not sure. Also staying off drugs. Spreading only peace, kindness, and love. Most Important JASON MICHAEL CHURCH Groundcover contributor Thank you God for my health and strength, And a mind to employ them aright. Thank you God for the trials and tests. The more I read your word, the more I know I am blessed. Thank you God for loving me, The more I step toward you Almighty, the more you run toward me. Ase’ GROUNDCOVER NEWS 3 Tigress DIANA FEAD Groundcover contributor Mothers’ love a clawing tigress Wild instinct, ferocious Keenly watches Never lets go of her prize. Mothers prowl, pace and wait Snarl to every threat Powerful jaw Defiant against all. Tigress roams without a sound Senses alert to danger Hovers near the pride No cub has strayed.
4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS CRISIS RESPONSE APRIL 3, 2026 Care-Based Safety has come to an end, but the work continues Care-Based Safety was an unarmed nonpolice response community that was established in September 2023. Care-Based Safety was dedicated to acting with principle and intention. CBS is taking careful steps in sunsetting this community response program that brought loving, unarmed support to people directly impacted by structural violence — without police. In planning, response and practice, CBS centered the needs of people who are Black, Indigenous, undocumented, unhoused, LGBTQIA+, using drugs and/or experiencing mental health struggles. From the start, CBS was focused not just on response, but also on community building. CBS was co-created through listening sessions and surveys. From their design team they heard over and over that: 50% of the work should be community building; building trust and a safety net in our community is the only way for success; and those who respond to whatever situations that might occur in our community should be from the community. To that end CBS created and launched a series of “place-based pilot programs.” “The pilot program is a place-based pilot, meaning we will be in the downtown area and if any crisis or conflict is brought to our attention, we will respond,” said Community Lead Sheri Wander. From June to September 2024, CBS hosted games, activities and connection two nights per week at the Growing Hope location in downtown Ypsilanti. During that time, they planned and delivered wellness and community-building activities that averaged around 28 participants per event, and distributed resources and supplies. CBS also provided rapid response crisis management including court and jail support, shelter support, conflict de-escalation, mental health crisis intervention and also launched a "nonemergency support phone number so people could connect with court support service, information about food pantries, transportation needs and more," according to Wander. Organizing for CBS grew directly out of organizing in protest of the murder of Aura Rosser at the hands of the Ann Arbor Police Department. Realizing that police oversight was not enough and there needed to be an alternative to the police, the Coalition for Re-envisioning our Safety (CROS) was formed. CROS eventually split into two MIKE JONES Groundcover vendor No. 113 groups: CROS itself remained largely an advocacy group and the CBS Design Team was born. While CROS worked to push the City of Ann Arbor to fund a nonpolice response to conflict and crisis, the CBS design team designed such a program, Care-Based Safety. When (pushed by CROS advocacy) Ann Arbor launched a request for proposals (RFP) to grant an organization $3.5 million to do that work for the City of Ann Arbor, CBS applied. CBS was the only group that applied. In spite of that, CBS did not receive the grant. In fact, after the application deadline, the City revoked the RFP, stating that they had changes they needed to make, but that CBS could reapply when the new RFP was issued. When the new RFP was eventually issued, it was inconsistent with the values of CBS. It required info from response calls to be FOIAable and for responders to report crimes (including drug use and camping). It also required immediate 24-7 response which was not realistic, and didn't fund the community building pieces that CBS believes are so critical. So CBS had community meetings and asked if the group should apply for this new RFP and, to a person, the answer was no. So the focus shifted to Ypsilanti and was funded with smaller grants from private foundations and individual donations. Care-Based Safety operated one program with two core components: Community Building, which strengthened communities to prevent harm, and Care-Based Response, which provided support before, during and after conflict, crisis or other concerns. Using a public health approach, the program was led by highly trained, fairly-compensated peer workers, with additional support from dedicated volunteers. Shaped by CROS research and 18 community listening sessions in 2023, it was designed to be independent from government, separate from 911 and law enforcement, sustainably funded, and peer-led. In addition to responding to individual conflicts, CBS addressed structural violence — such as institutional Left to right: CBS staff Amal, Sheri , Essence, Nia and Tyler. neglect and discrimination — that fuels harm in our communities. Every decision is rooted in safety, self-determination, dignity and community consent. Back in 2023, I talked to Washtenaw County native Liz Kennedy, the former director, who led operations and culture work at CBS. I asked her, “Why does this community need CBS?” “The community we serve asked for (CBS). We are a very diverse group of community leaders, who work, live and play in Ypsilanti, and Ann Arbor, and in the wider Washtenaw County community. We are the representatives of people who are most impacted by police and state violence like people of color, trans and queer, and those suffering from mental health issues, and together we are developing a carebased system for all. Care-Based Safety is created by us and for us.” Message sent to community partners from CBS After deep and mindful discernment, we have decided that CareBased Safety will sunset at the end of March 2026. It is ironic, sunsetting the organization on the heels of the 30-hour violent police siege against a local community member resulting from calls concerned about his mental health, and the police killing of an unarmed individual following a police chase through residential neighborhoods in a separate incident. These incidents certainly underscore in very real and painful ways the need for this work and made this decision even more painful and difficult. Yet we believe it is the right decision. Over the last three to four years, since community members came together to dream CBS into being, the political and funding landscape has changed greatly. We realize that the CBS as designed by the community simply cannot currently exist without municipal funding and support. We also realize that organizations, like all living things, have life cycles. While Care Based Safety as an organization is sunsetting, by doing so intentionally — in a planned, mindful and values-aligned way — we help to maintain the space for the work of safety based in care to continue and to grow in ways we have only begun and sometimes haven’t even started to imagine! That realization is the sweet to go with the bitter, and gives us hope. We have learned so much over the past few years and are still learning. We look forward to sharing those lessons. Over the next month please look for one final newsletter, and other avenues to share those “lessons learning.” With NO pressure or obligation, we would love to hear your thoughts and ideas and lessons from this journey. As individuals we came to CBS already involved in this work of safety-based care in a variety of ways and look forward to continuing to be in community with you continuing the work even though it won’t be under the banner of CBS. Care-Based Safety sends a special thanks to friends and partners: Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice, Coalition for Re-envisioning our Safety, Peace House Ypsi, Detroit Justice Center, American Friends Service Committee, Vital Strategies, United Way Southeast Michigan, Borealis Philanthropy, Community Economic Development Washtenaw County, Community Foundation Washtenaw County, Michigan Justice Fund and Daytime Warming Center.
APRIL 3, 2026 COMMUNITY EVENTS Maximizing affordable housing availability in Washtenaw County ZOE BEHNKE Zion Lutheran Church Adult Education Committee Access to affordable housing extends beyond the unemployed or unhoused population, encompassing a broad segment of the workforce. Individuals in of affordable housing often include retail employees, entrylevel workers, those in the hospitality industry, as well as essential personnel such as teachers, police officers and firefighters. Employees of small businesses and higher education institutions also frequently fall within this category. The issue has wide-reaching implications for residents across the county. When individuals are able to live in the same communities where they work, more of their income is spent locally, supporting local businesses and strengthening the regional economy. Advocates note that such housing patterns can also help reduce traffic congestion, encourage activity in downtown districts, and foster greater long-term investment in local neighborhoods. Zion Lutheran Church will be hosting a forum on affordability in Washtenaw County on Saturday, April 18, with 8:30 a.m. refreshments and a 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. program. Our panelists include: Panel 1: Amanda Carlisle, Washtenaw Housing Alliance Executive Director; Washtenaw County Commissioner, Andy LaBarre; Rev. Elizabeth Friedman, Lord of Light Lutheran Campus Ministries; and Christopher Taylor, City of Ann Arbor Mayor. Panel 2: Aaron Cooper, Avalon Housing Executive Director; Jim Haeussler, Norfolk Homes representative; Jennifer Hall, Ann Arbor community EVENTS HASH BASH Saturday, April 4, 12 p.m. University of Michigan Diag, Ann Arbor. The arrest and imprisonment of John Sinclair (for possession of two joints) set Ann Arbor on the trajectory as Michigan’s most pioneering cannabis community. Sinclair’s arrest and 10-year sentence led to protests and rallies, ultimately morphing into the iconic Hash Bash, an annual protest-fueled gathering of live music and speeches since 1972. EXPLORING THE POETRY OF MURIEL RUKEYSER: GAINING COURAGE THROUGH POETRY Thursday, April 9, 2026, 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom. Muriel Rukeyser believed poetry to be a unique method of knowing oneself and responding meaningfully to one's world, and she used poetry to respond to numerous social, political and personal events. In this workshop, we’ll explore a specific use of poetry: What can poetry do for courage? Join YpsiWrites and retired EMU Professor of English and Women's and Gender Studies Elisabeth Däumer, along with poet and clinical social worker David Boeving, in an exploration of courage and the poetry of Muriel Rukeyser. ypsilibrary.events.mylibrary. digital/event?id=278446 GROUNDCOVER WRITING WORKSHOP: DOCUMENTBASED REPORTING Friday, April 10, 10 a.m., Groundcover News office. A workshop to familiarize writers with using budgets, meeting minutes and FOIAs in their reporting. Attend alongside Groundcover vendors and writers. REVOLUTIONARY FOOD GATHERING Friday, April 10, 5-7 p.m. Ann Arbor Friends Meeting House, 1420 Hill St., Ann Arbor. Potluck and discussion to discover who we are in relationship to our food, the earth and each other. Hosted by Groundcover News and Purslane Commons. FOOL MOON Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m - midnight, downtown Ann Arbor. This annual magical outdoor nighttime event features a vast array of quirky and beautiful community-made illuminated sculptures, a huge street party, live music and more. All invited to make homemade light-up costumes and drum on pots and pans in celebration! 2026 theme is "Fools of a Feather." WCC CONCERT BAND: SMALL ENSEMBLES Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m. Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Building Towsley Auditorium, 4800 Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor. Join for a program of small ensembles — from duets and trios to 20-piece bands — playing a variety of musical genres. Light refreshments served. FESTIFOOLS Sunday, April 12, 4-5 p.m. Main Street, downtown Ann Arbor. Build and bring a giant puppet, make a costume or be a spectator! No matter your style, you'll have fun becoming part of FestiFools, a larger-than-life, monumental moving art display. The parade begins at 4 p.m. sharp. "WHO'S THERE?!" ARB DANCE PERFORMANCE Saturday, April 18, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Nichols Arboretum, 1610 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor. The Department of Dance at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance and Ladina Schaller present “Who’s There?!”This site-specific senior dance project consists of a walk through the Arb, along which the audience encounters a variety of characters, sights, sounds and scenes. The concert is around one hour long. Audience members are required to walk along Arboretum paths for the duration of the performance and are encouraged to dress Housing Commission Executive Director; and Alision Oumedian, Habitat for Humanity Director of Individual Giving and Fundraising. Some of the issues to be covered include: What is affordable housing and who qualifies for it? What are the obstacles causing this crisis? How are local non-profit organizations/ local governments addressing this issue? How can individuals or organizations get involved to address the issue of affordable housing in their local community and Washtenaw County? We will be having a Q&A after each panel presentation to encourage community engagement. This event is free and open to the public. Zion Lutheran Church is located at 1501. W. Liberty, Ann Arbor, MI 48103 Thursday | Mar 26 | 2-3pm YDL-Whittaker Award-winning local author Hadil Ghoneim reads from her new book, Arabic Folktales for Children, to celebrate National Arab American Heritage Month. FEATURED EVENT Friends of YDL Book Sale Thurs. - Sun. | Apr. 30-May 3 | See times in description YDL-Whittaker $1 for hardcovers, 25¢ for kids books, 50¢ for mass market paperbacks, and $1 for oversize paperbacks. On Sunday, there will be bags of books available for $5, and some books will be sold for a reduced price. Apr. 30: 6-8pm (Friends of YDL members-only sale) May 1: 11am-5pm May 2: 11am-3pm May 3: 1-3pm for the weather and wear good shoes. This event is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Attendance is free, but RSVP is encouraged at this link: tinyurl.com/yhr62hj8 Submit an event to be featured in the next edition: submissions@groundcovernews. com GROUNDCOVER NEWS 5 GET TO KNOW YDL! WHERE TO FIND US: Online at ypsilibrary.org Call us at 734-482-4110. TO GET YOUR LIBRARY CARD: 1) Fill out the easy online form at ypsilibrary.org/library-cards. 2) Call 734-482-4110 3) Or stop by any YDL location! DON’T HAVE A DRIVER’S LICENSE? We can work with a variety of IDs to get you your card. Arabic Folktales with Author Hadil Ghoneim
6 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Where the Roses Remember Me I did not know I was becoming while I was becoming— Somewhere beneath the quiet of my early years, I was already a rose bush in the making, gathering color in the dark, learning the language of roots before I learned the language of people. They entered my life like weather crossing a garden. Some were morning visitors— soft light, brief warmth, a touch that opened one petal and then moved on. Others came as storms, uninvited but essential, their winds tearing away what I clung to so something truer could take its place. And then there were the ones who stayed— steady sun, patient rain, a presence that asked nothing but offered everything. They tended me without knowing it, believing in my bloom long before I dared to unfurl. Every soul, passing or permanent, left a trace upon my branches. Some carved resilience by leaving, their absence a pruning that shaped my strength. Some taught the necessity of thorns— boundaries grown from lessons I once mistook for pain. And some watered the quiet parts of me, coaxing color from places I thought would remain closed. Now, when I look at myself, I see a rose bush in full knowing— not untouched by storms, but transformed by them. My blooms carry the memory of every season, my thorns the wisdom of every wound, my branches the stories of those who crossed my garden. We do not become ourselves alone. We become through weather, through touch, through the grace of those who arrive and the necessary departure of those who do not stay. And when I finally stand still— really still— I see it: a life shaped into color, a spirit rising again and again toward its own light. I see that I have become the roses. And I am beautiful. MONIQUE CALDWELL Groundcover contributor MARQUETTA Q CLEMENTS Groundcover contributor How is this fair? Homeless, A Criminal A victim to Despair Am I guilty for the things I do to maintain? Being poor is to blame No humility nor shame I’d kill for a chance that my family can see The Dream MLK once had, called change I fear I won’t see that Day I fight so these kids, & kids' kids can change that fate All this hate that circulates I avoid the tides and waves Call me Moses of my people LORD BREAK EVERY CHAIN TODAY From the POET in the Quran To King James Let my tongue be a vessel To keys that’ll free all the Enslaved Let these metaphors send shots, B-bang Let it pierce the ears and RESONATE Truth bombs have IEDs Lies are like pressured weight Set it off like Jada Pinkett Honesty shall detonate Let it hit like metal shards Ripping thru the veins God is God, God is Great Remember His Grace thru pain He ain’t do it to you, he did it for you Mercy that his plan leads to fate His timing is never late I am his anointed detained This Earth shall shake. Deliverance from YAWEH APRIL 3, 2026 Please Keep My Name Out of Your Mouth LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover writer Please keep my name out of your mouth!! Especially when you have no idea, not a clue of what you are even talkin about. Please keep my name out of your mouth!! Most of what you are saying are twisted passed along lies. As a matter of fact You don't even spell my name correctly!! "That's right" Soo... Please keep my name out of your mouth!! If you checked my resume... Most likely, you will be amazed. Soo... Please keep my name out of your mouth!! Which is full of decay, defamatory things!! It's not cool to use my name that way. If you took more time to put yourself in check, then maybe you wouldn't be so busy trying to make my life a wreck. So check yourself once again, and, Please keep my name out of your mouth!! Refinement DAVID CRANE Groundcover contributor You don’t sharpen a blade without taking something from it. Each pass removes material. Each correction leaves less behind. People talk about growth like it is addition. It is not. It is subtraction. What remains must justify what was lost. Cold-Blooded DAVID CRANE That’s what they call it — The world confuses kindness for harmlessness. But love has never been harmless. To guard what is sacred requires teeth and restraint. Requires the quiet knowledge of what you’re capable of. Either stay dangerous enough to protect who you loveOr admit you don’t deserve the trust. Mercy is a luxury for those with nothing to defend.
APRIL 3, 2026 PLACE My Garip (strange) Hunger DIDEM KOCHAN Groundcover contributor Ever since I was a child, I found eating to be a chore that interrupted my daydreaming. Yet whenever my parents and I approached the ferry docks to cross the Bosphorus, a sudden, miraculous hunger would overcome me. “I’m hungry,” I would insist, wideeyed and urgent. My parents, ever hopeful my appetite would finally arrive, would buy me a simit (Turkish bagel, crusty, golden, thick with toasted sesame seeds). But as soon as we stepped onto the ferry and the engines began to thrum against the waters of the Bosphorus, my hunger would change shape. I didn’t want to eat the simit. I wanted to give it away. I stood at the railing, salt air whipping my hair, tearing the bread into small pieces. A white cloud of seagulls followed the boat like a screaming escort, as if they knew this ferry ritual was about to begin. I tossed the pieces into the wind and watched the birds dive and catch them mid-air without ever missing a beat. By the time we reached the other side, the simit was gone, the seagulls were fed, and I was full, not of bread, but of the simple joy of that ritual. I did not know it then, but years before I was born, someone in Istanbul had already been paying attention to moments like this. His name was Orhan Veli Kanık. In the 1940s, poetry in Turkey often favored elaborate metaphors and elevated language; art was meant for a refined elite. But Orhan Veli, along with his friends (Melih Cevdet Anday and Oktay Rifat), decided to strip the finery off the verse. Blending their socialist perspective with their poetry, they began what became known as the “Garip movement” (garip means strange, but it also refers to an outsider, or someone forgotten). Their manifesto was simple but radical: poetry should belong to the common person. The Garip movement focused on everyday subjects with a sense of humor, irony and satire. They abandoned traditional rhyme in favor of the natural rhythm of a conversation at a tea house. Orhan Veli wrote about life in his favorite city, Istanbul, the women he liked, men with empty pockets and fine weather. He famously wrote about the nagging discomfort of a corn on a man’s foot, a subject that shocked the literary establishment of the time. He let the street enter the poem. I would like to believe that Orhan Veli would not have judged me for my little lie to get that simit for the seagulls. He understood that sometimes we bend the truth of our needs to satisfy the truth of our hearts. He once introduced himself simply as “Bir garip Orhan Veli” (just a strange or simple-hearted Orhan Veli). There is something deeply human in that simplicity. His poems never demand greatness, they ask only for attention. In “İstanbul’u Dinliyorum” (I Am Listening to Istanbul) he begins and repeats: “I am listening to Istanbul, with my eyes closed…” This famous poem unfolds through sound and sensation: a breeze moving leaves, distant bells, water brushing against a pier. Nothing monumental happens. The city breathes, and he listens. Orhan Veli preserved the Istanbul that history books often ignore. He looked for the laundry hanging from balconies, saw the fishermen on the shore, and caught the late afternoon light striking the water just so. As the poem reaches its end, it turns from the sounds of the street to the pulse of a person: “I am listening to Istanbul, with my eyes closed; A bird flutters at your hem; I know if your forehead is warm or not; I know if your lips are wet or not; A white moon rises behind the pine trees, I understand it all from the beating of your heart; I am listening to Istanbul.” In ”Aşk Resmi Geçidi”(Love’s Parade), he lists his past loves without a trace of drama or tragedy. For example, he recalls his second love (maybe a childhood crush), Münevver Abla, an older girl whose garden he used to leave secret, earnest letters in, hoping she would notice him: “She’d burst into laughter as she read the letters I’d keep writing and throwing into her garden. As for me, I still feel the shame even today Whenever I remember those letters.” In his world, people pass through a heart as casually as they might walk through a neighborhood. There is humor here, and a gentle self-mockery. It doesn't feel like a declaration so much as a shrug, a recognition that life happens, we feel its sting, and we move on. Perhaps that is why his poetry has always soothed me. Now, I find myself living in Ann Arbor. The geography is different, of course. Instead of the vast, salty Just like Orhan Veli, Istanbul will always remain my favorite city. It is the place where my heart first learned to listen with its eyes closed. But I have crossed another kind of water since those ferry rides. I have learned that expanse of the Bosphorus dividing two continents, I have the quiet, winding Huron River. When I first moved here, I looked for my childhood Istanbul in the cracks of the sidewalk. I missed the ferry rides and the smell of roasted chestnuts on every corner. But as I settled into my new home, I started to realize that Orhan Veli’s Garip philosophy travels remarkably well. And slowly, Ann Arbor revealed its own “Garip” moments. They appear in the way people gather at the Farmers’ Market on a Saturday morning, in the person standing on the corner of a street, selling this very paper, or in the way the town holds its breath during the first snowfall. I would like to thank Orhan Veli for teaching me how to “listen to” a city, and I imagine a few lines in his spirit for our Groundcover vendors: “A stack of papers under one arm, A smile for the wind. He stands where the street meets the morning light, Waiting for a neighbor to notice.” A statue of Orhan Veli and his seagull friend in Istanbul GROUNDCOVER NEWS 7 Two simple souls sharing a bench: one in shape, one in memory. home is not only where the Bosphorus glitters. It is wherever I notice those simple Garip moments. I no longer pretend to be hungry before boarding ferries. Everyone knew, even then, that my hunger was strategic. But I still believe in small offerings, “the Garip acts.” A piece of bread tossed into the wind. A line of verse that does not try to be important. A quiet moment saved from vanishing, like a seagull snatching a crumb of simit in mid-air.
8 GROUNDCOVER NEWS APRIL HOLIDAYS All About Easter DENISE SHEARER Groundcover vendor No. 485 Easter is a great holiday for children and adults Easter can be celebrated all of April Easter is a pretty holiday Easter is a great time for people to learn to love ourselves and forgive others Easter is a great time to celebrate God and Jesus, too, of course Easter is a great time, too, to have an excuse to enjoy some candy and goodies Easter is a great time to dress up and look the best way that we can. Easter is all about the fun, the candy, and the Easter bunny Because God and Jesus made all of that for us to enjoy. Sometimes it rains on Easter, but enjoying Easter outweighs the rain. It reminds me of the movie and song, “Singing in the Rain” April showers bring May flowers I hope everybody’s spring springs up something good in their lives, including myself. APRIL 3, 2026 Water EleMental: Fire, Earth and Air EARTH DAY PLANNING COMMITTEE As it’s been said, “So above, as below.” We mimic the Earth — Gaia — in every way. Our bodies’ circulatory systems are like the creeks and rivers, carrying in nourishment, carrying away toxins. Our bodies are bundles of energy, with many forms of ‘fire.’ We manifest as bodies in the physical, as all beings, and all things. And full circle, we release emotionally, releasing the energies we collect, as does Gaia. And ‘she’ does this in many ways — some of which are destructive: tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, to name a few. These are all ways to bring balance, as our bodies do with fever, exhaustion, chills and bursts of energy. There is a strong connection between the elements. Water evaporates from the action of the great fire in the sky, our star, the Sun. That same water falls to the ground, on our Earth and that physical element known as dirt. It dissolves into component elements, atoms and such. This makes way for release of these components — for change. Change is inevitable for energetic renewal. We can sense the energy of nature — in our healthy forests, a beautiful pristine beach, or a cliff overlooking a great chasm. We become one with nature when these same elements or aspects of our being — mental, physical, spiritual and emotional — balance. Some of these changes are natural, some are induced, through the actions of many. So are there too many of us, or are we simply conducting ourselves in a manner unfit for our level of consumption? Or is it in the way in which we go about serving one another? Or do we lean more toward taking from one another, leaving each other and our waste behind — as previous civilizations have?! Let’s not get too deep into that history, the ancient history that seems to have been buried deep in the layers of earth here with Gaia, as we plow on through while turning over the dirt to find remnants here and there. And the legends of these past civilizations become myths as the records of that history become obscured and corrupted, destroyed and stolen. Shall we look at this closer as we plow on? With practice, we can now work toward balancing the equations to reduce and minimize the negative effects of our ways of business as usual! So, on to practical applications of sustainability; permaculture, intentional community, cooperatives, collaborations, spiritual growth and development, study and practice … Many are the ways in which we can observe rather than reinvent the wheels of progress toward sustainability. Sustainability of our ways and means of dealing with each other in a wholesome fashion, balancing the aspects of our BEING. And let’s remember how that ‘being’ relates to the being known as Gaia, with ‘her’ connection to the ether, the ethers, the source of spirit — from our limited perspective. These aspects and these elements can be attributed to the directions. Although everything exists in all directions, each has its own orientation, once again — according to our perspective upon this little planet. Much of our water is locked-up in the ice to our north here on our North American continent; the fire energy originates from the Sun arising from the east every day; a great concentration of earth lies to the south from our Great Lakes perspective; and the air normally blows in from the west. And I would like to leave off quoting from James Taylor’s song, Fire and Rain: “Well there’s hours of time on the telephone line / To talk about things to come / Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground.” Let us not lose this great opportunity of flying machines falling By Amanda Gale, Groundcover vendor no. 573 to pieces on the ground as we rush through the economics of scarcity. Let’s live in the gift of life within the context of “Sacred Economics,” as spelled out so eloquently by Charles Eisenstein … and so many others. These exchanges we make are meant to be a construct of our spiritual aspect. How often do our ways and means of manipulation and the forces of war, religion and corporate structures stand in the way of or destroy our spiritual ventures? Attend some or all of Earth Day Week, a variety of events April 19-25 at the Ann Arbor Commons. More in the next Groundcover.
APRIL 3, 2026 DOCUMENTARY GROUNDCOVER NEWS 9 The Road Home is a documentary exploring mental health, housing insecurity, and homelessness in Washtenaw County, highlighting community efforts and challenges. Watch trailer: youtu.be/ oRCf8GeKmKI?si=dWKk kZcq-6sIEDK9 Local organizations face fragmented responses, funding cuts and limiting support. The film's goal is to unite stakeholders, raise awareness, and inspire collective action to ensure compassionate, sustainable solutions.
10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS POETRY Be nice PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 Never trust someone who tries to look nice. You’re either nice or you’re not and not nice is no good. No one tries to be nice when they already are. If you’re nice, you’re just nice no questions asked. So why bother looking nice? It’s not honest to wear it like a mask, to hide your evil eyes. It may look nice to be nice and it is indeed nice to be nice but only looking nice isn’t good at all. Not for you, not fair for anyone. Never rely on dice. In this life You don’t get to roll it twice. Humble you’ll be. Anyone can be nice. It’s a choice. Not an easy one. Do the work. Pay the price. Make the sacrifice. You're human, not a mouse Not the entire pie take a slice. Real nice is to be nice. People have been always nice to me. That’s how I became cooler than ice. feels nice to be me maybe it’s my spice. So follow my sincere advice: Never mind the looks, just be nice. Whoa Nellie! AUGUSTINE JAY every time i think i know the when and why of where to go i'm jostled jerking to and fro down upwards things get blurry 'till all sights to see are lost on me this forest isn't made of trees but self indulgent sloppy sleaze fake comfort puke a scripted pill i'm killing all the slaver screens but cold turkey without the ween dries out the jerky slow smoke's clean and tasty - suffering a thrill when ends don't justify the means or say, vice versa, *c'est la vie”'s a rotten lie or "lie and rot" more like it... this is not a drill — hey does anyone else feel like a shrew screaming at a freight train right now ...or is it just me? is anyone there? hello? hello??? ...*crickets*... Devil's Advocate MARQUETTA "Q" CLEMENTS Groundcover contributor Prejudice My skin They hate Isolate Detonate Want change But fear change Embrace fate Don't turn away Early age We dig graves We're criminals We're insane The psych ward says I'm deranged They caused my pain Then locked me in chains I can't get away Black face Losing race I go to the music to escape Wild and proud Systematically I'm tamed I'm dangerous I'm ashamed Wake up before its too late AUGUSTINE JAY Groundcover vendor No. 678 Forbidden words poetry On March 21, Groundcover News and PoetTree Town explored the list of words banned by the current United States administration and challenged the idea of censorship by creating art and poetry with these “forbidden words.” PEDRO CAMPOS Groundcover vendor No. 652 APRIL 3, 2026
APRIL 3, 2026 LIVING ARCHIVE GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 Emotions Costumes LA SHAWN COURTWRIGHT Groundcover writer Didn't know how to deal with all of the emotions I often felt at one time Most of them did not belong to me They were the ones I was dealt Those seem to be dominating any and every part of my own Feelings that remained or not usually felt No one to tell about what I was feeling I didn't know how to be vulnerable Cause every time I opened up about these things Most of the times the person I'd tell Made me feel more ashamed, of what I had revealed to them, Cause basically it wasn't what I told them It was me as a whole... they were not ready or willing to accept When they had hurt me My other emotions conjured an escape emotion In the form of a miracle drug It seemed at the time It was a temporary fix, that made my mind fly to the sky, as high or above the mountains peaks At least that is what, how I was feeling, for that moment, I thought, I think My feet were not on the ground The drugs' effects had lifted me up out of harm's way For a lil while I had managed my own escape Then came the emotions of the comedown Oh, what a let down! Again, that, those emotions were right back there again They're Not a Game Originally published September 1, 2022. Trying to be heard as a brother of those unheard JOE WOODS Groundcover vendor No. 103 It’s funny how people just look at a person’s costumes Prejudging before getting to know a person Costumes Categorizing just because of a person’s garment He’s a nerd because he wears High Waters, he’s a thug because he wears baggy jeans Costumes It’s weird how a person’s costume can determine how a person may act towards you If you’re in a shirt and tie and speak to somebody they will speak If you’re wearing holey, bummy clothes and speak to somebody they ignore you Costumes As a Groundcover vendor, I wore many costumes and got many different reactions from people Let’s take time to open our minds and get to know people and not just look at their costumes Originally published in the Groundcover News 2017 Vendor Reality Retrospective Anthology. Lost dog CHRISTOPHER ELLIS Groundcover vendor No. 483 PHILIP SPINK Groundcover vendor No. 630 I am discovering how difficult it is To be listened to by the mainstream, When trying to stay a brother of the unheard, By speaking first for the love of those Out ragged in the sun and winds and on dusty corners, And so of the too discounted root. It is natural to want to be of the mainstream, Yet in the silence of lower tributaries of status There are often people of higher waters Of true kindness, modesty and wisdom. Originally published December 29, 2023. The picture on the tree a sentiment human akin Some are adrift are all Is the whole wide world In this Population densed and filled and no place unclaimed Is lostness real Where is that dog but we are all here. Originally published in June 2019.
12 GROUNDCOVER NEWS PUZZLES APRIL 3, 2026 Poetry CROSSWORD Instead Of ChatGPT, I'd Ask CIATTA TUCKER Groundcover contributor a swaying oak tree in spring the slow steady stream of a river the heart shaped crystal in my back pocket the unopened books on my nightstand a broken lava lamp at the thrift store my microwave at 3am the troll underneath the bridge a Toyota RAV from the year 2001 Yahoo.com the rotten carcass of an apple or a pear or a tattered baby blanket maybe a toddler asleep on his mother's chest the biker gang on Washtenaw my favorite freckled lady on Packard a discarded magic 8 eight ball my 5 person group chat with a weird name my grandmother who's thousands of miles away an ancient fax machine a buried ancestor a pushed up daisy or blooming cherry blossom the worms fidgeting in soil after the rain subsides the decade old woodchips on the school playground a tired old swing with a loud creak the piece of gum stuck to the bottom of my shoe a group of geese sharing bread at the park the bugs hiding underneath a log an elder at the bus stop Or a swaddled newborn baby Maybe an undistinguished higher power Who wants me to figure it out Myself. MICHELLE LARDIE-GUZEK Groundcover contributor Healing, I see now, is more than simply finding It is the process of becoming. The determination to do, be, and create more, For yourself. This is not done through examination and understanding alone. It is the toil of hands in the dirt of habitual thoughts and patterns The endless effort to try and do otherwise PUZZLE SOLUTIONS March 20, 2026 edition T O S H S H E S I D E A H E R E N E E M E A S T M A H L E R The firm, unshakeable, knowing that how you have been bent in your efforts to survive, C A D S L A T H I A R M O R I N A R T I C U L A T E A D O N I S E R A T O S T H E N E S D E V O N W O U N D C P A A N O N D I M L Y H O O P L A C A E R I E S E N S E R O B E R T R O L L E R S K A T E R L I V E R Y I R R I T A B I L I T Y L I A N A L O O P S A R I L E V E L O T T O E X A M S L E D G A I N T E M P Is not how you will, or choose to thrive. It is saying, regardless of what others say, do, or believe I am my own I alone have the power to determine Who I am, How I feel, and What I do about it.
APRIL 3, 2026 IN MEMORIAM In loving memory of Melvin Parson (1964- 2026) Pony PONY BUSH Groundcover vendor No. 305 Sometime in 2021 a friend from the church I was going to brought me to meet Melvin. My friend knew Melvin was hiring those who once were incarcerated and were now released and looking for work. It was hard to find work so I agreed to go with my friend to meet Melvin about a job. When I first met Melvin for my job interview I knew he was a good guy; I felt comfortable around him. We connected. We’re both from Detroit originally. I think we served time together but can’t remember when and where. During the interview Melvin told me about the farm and the work I would be doing. I never thought I would be working on a farm and planting seeds. When I started to work on the farm I was learning a lot about plants, seeds and even the sun. I didn’t know how many different types of tomatoes there are! I was working with a few other people who also had come out of jail or prison. Some people had a hard time working out in the sun — it Melvin would get hot and there wasn’t much shade. We had to be careful about dehydration. But most of the time we all were serious about the hard work we were doing. We realized how uncommon it is to be a Black farmer today. One of the bigger learning experiences from my time on the Farm was the pay schedule. I was used to fast money, but the farm job had a payout every two weeks. I had to be patient and have self-control over my money, especially if I wanted to stay out of jail. Melvin was giving away food to people in the community through a food pantry around the corner from the Farm. And, I would drive around with Melvin to deliver vegetables to different restaurants and to those working on the houses for Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley. I admired Melvin, like a positive role model. It’s hard to find work, housing and community when you are released from prison. Melvin was making sure people who have a hard time finding work had an opportunity through the Farm. He was doing something different and was making something I wouldn't have thought about. My time on the farm taught me many things. One thing I won’t ever forget is, “One seed can grow a big plant!” Melvin had an impact on me — he created opportunities for people like me looking for a way to work, learn work skills, learn more about farming, and commit to something I didn’t see for myself before. I’m going to miss Melvin. GROUNDCOVER NEWS To Be the Poem CASSIE CATANIA Groundcover contributor She’s on her knees, As if praying, Crying into the soil. She’s on her hands and knees, Carving into the dark, damp earth, Spreading roots. She’s on stage Moving her body through space In a way that says, “Look at all this potential.” She’s on stage Reading your poetry, Tending the ether, Carving space for your words To bring more light into the world. Beloved, you are the poem. 13
14 GROUNDCOVER NEWS MUSIC My interpretation of the song “The Gambler” THE CONFUSED CLOUD Groundcover contributor When I found out a poetry issue was coming out for Groundcover, I knew right away it was a sign to write out my interpretation of the song “The Gambler,” which was made famous by the late, great Kenny Rogers. I remember hearing the song as a kid around the time of first grade. My grandparents on my mom’s side were country music fans. The Gambler was written by Don Schlitz, who wasn’t much of a gambler in real life, let alone a professional gambler. Bobby Bare and Johnny Cash also sang the song, but it was definitely made famous by Kenny Rogers. I still hear people singing it in public sometimes. In the song, two strangers are sitting in a train for what seems to be a long ride. There’s The Narrator and The Gambler. It starts with The Narrator saying “They were both too tired to sleep.” I’ve been on many Amtrak train rides often lasting between one and two days. I personally can relate to being exhausted yet not able to sleep. I’m not sure how common this is because everyone else in the train cars looks like they're asleep. I try at least fifteen times but almost never get any sleep. The train is bound for nowhere. My interpretation of this is it doesn’t matter where the train is going. This song reminds me of another great piece of poetry which is in the Bible — the Book of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes, according to tradition, was written by King Solomon, the son of King David. One of the themes of Ecclesiastes is that many things, such as wisdom, pleasure and toil, are meaningless. I think a lot of the meaninglessness of life is also a theme of “The Gambler.” Anyway, the two people are The Narrator and The Gambler. The Narrator never said anything to The Gambler. The Gambler started talking out of boredom. When Don Schiltz wrote the song in 1976, walkmans and smartphones hadn't been invented yet, walkmans weren’t invented until 1979. Some people brought books on the trains, but for the most part train travel was much more boring than these days. The Gambler starts by telling The Narrator, “Son, I’ve made a life out of reading people’s faces and knowin’ what their cards were by the way they held their eyes. So, if you don’t mind me saying, I can see you’re out of Aces.” At this time, I can see the song isn’t really about playing cards for money, it’s meant to be a metaphor for life. In most card games, Aces are the highest card, so being out of Aces symbolizes being down on your luck. Who knows why The Narrator looked down and defeated. Many things make life hard. Maybe The Narrator was having marital, financial or health problems. Maybe The Narrator “being out of Aces” meant his life’s dreams seemed out of reach. Maybe he had no hope for certain goals. Maybe he felt judged and marginalized by the world. Maybe alcohol or addiction had taken over his life. The Gambler offers a bit more advice to The Narrator. His only price is a taste of The Narrator’s whiskey. In the 1970s, personal bottles of alcohol were technically not allowed on trains but the rules were rarely enforced. A practice called brown bagging, keeping liquor in a brown paper bag, was common on trains. It wasn’t until 1984 that Amtrak more strictly enforced alcohol rules, limiting alcohol to cafe, dining and private sleeper cars. The Gambler finished The Narrator’s whiskey, bummed a cigarette (which was still allowed) and asked for a light. Then his face changed and he “lost all expression.” He says, “If you’re gonna play the game, boy, you got to learn to play it right.” In the chorus The Gambler says “You got to know when to hold them and know when to fold them.” This is probably one of the most famous song lyrics in history, or at least in the last century. I interpret this line as a metaphor for life. Knowing when to hold them seems to mean don’t give up on goals, relationships, belief systems or a solution to one of life’s problems. Many motivational speakers have said don’t give up. Then there’s “Know when to fold them” or when to give up on a goal. This isn’t always bad. I used to want to be an accountant and make lots of money. But because of trauma and mental illness I had to give up on that goal. I also used to really enjoy alcohol. Eventually drinking became dangerous to me and I had to quit, “fold them.” I used to be a member of a controversial, extremely fundamental Christian church and I had to let go of that identity and many of my beliefs. Next, The Gambler said, “Know when to walk away, and know when to run.” It’s weird that the only two choices are to walk away or run away. Maybe it’s assumed that if you’re winning of course, you keep playing. Gambling-wise, walking away can mean The Gambler has realized he’s not going to win anymore, or has lost all he planned on losing before leaving. Maybe he’s tired or has other plans. There will be a time to play again. Running implies danger. Maybe he gambled more than he has and the other players are going to want their money. Maybe his creditors are going to get violent. In life, an example of when it's time for me to walk away is when I’m arguing with someone and neither of us are going to change our mind. If I can’t physically walk away, I try to agree to disagree or change the subject. As a last resort I pretend to agree until I can get away and avoid that subject with that person in the future. I don’t feel guilty being dishonest. My peace is much more valuable to me than what I see is a forced sense of integrity. Other times, to “walk away” can be cancelling plans when I’m sick or even just really tired. If someone on the street gives me a mean look or even makes an insulting comment, which has happened to me, I turn and go the other way. Some examples of when I’ve had to “know when to run” include if something upsetting happens and I’m tempted to drink I “run” by getting away from the situation and using coping skills such a calling for support, going out to eat, sitting with a soda and Youtube Music, or going to see a movie. I also try to run in abusive, toxic situations and I keep my phone with me if I can’t physically get away and need help. A really important time to “know when to run” is in severe mental health crises where I’m a danger to myself or others. I run by calling the crisis line, or some other option to get into the Psych ER. I’ve saved both my life and freedom many times by getting help in crises. The next line is, “You never count your money while you’re sittin’ at the table. There’ll be time enough for countin’ when the dealin’s done.” This can apply in many cases. I used to really want to lose weight. I’d weigh myself every day and get so frustrated when I didn't see immediate results. When I first got on psych meds, I wanted to feel better right away. Now when I look back and realize how much better I feel over the years, it’s much more gratifying. Patience and waiting to “count my money” is more effective in many areas of my life. I really don’t trust things that give me instant gratification. So that’s how I interpret that verse. The next verse is probably my favorite because it contradicts all the extremism and division in the world today. The Gambler says, “Every gambler knows that the secret to surviving is knowing what to keep. Cause every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a loser and the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.” I want to first give my interpretation of “Every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a loser.” Let’s take the example of fundamentalist Christianity. Many people love it. It gives their life meaning. Many have quit alcohol, drugs and other addictions by converting to Christianity. Many lonely people have found a great sense of a loving family and community. In this case, “the hand” of fundamentalist Christianity is a “winner.” Other people have been abused by fundamentalist Christianity. In the group I was in I felt guilty most of the time. I was belittled by leaders and punished if I spoke up. I also gave a lot of time and money and was sleep-deprived. I was in college and my grades suffered. Other people in fundamentalist Christian groups have been physically and sexually abused from childhood. The Bible has been used to justify corporal punishment. Proverbs 13:24 says “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” Many women and LGBTQ individuals have suffered because of fundamentalist Christian groups. So in that case “the hand” of fundamentalist Christianity is a ‘“loser.” This model of every hand being both a “winner” and “loser” can apply to other religions, political parties and beliefs, ways of life, and even diets (ketogenic, vegetarian vs. vegan vs. mediterranean and others). There’s also the example of different ways to recover from addiction. There’s AA, SMART recovery, just quitting, or just cutting back. People have successfully quit addictions using both the disease model and moral failing model. People have also failed with each model. Things I would also argue are that a “hand,” say a friendship or romantic relationship, can be a “winner” one day and a “loser” the next. (The song “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” by Chicago along with several other songs suggest a little time apart for couples to strengthen the relationship.) So back to the previous verse, The Gambler says that “Every Gambler knows the secret to survivin’ is knowing what to throw away and knowin’ what to keep.” In the example of fundamentalist Christianity, I got rid of a lot of my old beliefs and guilty feelings. Yet I still consider myself a Christian. I’ve heard people say I’m either a “believer” and “know the truth” or I don’t. For people who believe I can’t pick and choose which Bible verses I believe and follow, I recommend searching “President Bartlet Kicks the Bible Thumpers’ Butts” on Youtube. It’s a very enlightening clip from the show “The West Wing.” Like I said before, in relationships I can change the subject, agree to disagree, or get out of the conversation. I consider myself a liberal Democrat but I don’t need to agree with them on every issue. I also don’t need to hate every single thing about right-wing Republicans. I have Republican friends. (But I do hate a lot of things about the MAGA movement.) In recovery groups, personal therapy, while reading self-help see GAMBLER next page APRIL 3, 2026
APRIL 3, 2026 POETRY From August to April VERONICA SANITATE Groundcover contributor When I see love, I see a deep purple plum, sweet swollen reward inviting the prick of teeth on its skin: velvet without, honey within. Have your fill. There will be juice! But life wanes, transmutes into a slow jog in the rain. The season cools. Plums fulfilled, then shrivel. Leaves yellow, dry and curl, meet shadow, think ruin, imagine removal. And what do we know of the soul of winter but its frayed black braided ribbon. Gravesend. Yet in the garden, the translucent snakeskin offers a hint of persistence. Seeds frost and sleep. Hope is the silver filament that coils from spring’s fragile soil. And isn’t this love? Pit of our pit, red of marrow, life-force pink. GAMBLER from last page books and listening to videos and podcasts on mental health and recovery, I take what works for me and leave the rest. This is again where Ecclesiastes comes in. One of my favorite Bible verses is Ecclesiastes 7:16-18. It says, “Don’t be over-righteous neither be overwise, why destroy yourself?” “Don’t be overworked and do not be a fool — why die before your time?” (Both good questions). “It is good to grasp one and not let go of the other. Whoever fears God will avoid all extremes.” I’ve realized that nothing is absolute and something that works for someone else may not work for me. So The Gambler seems to be giving advice on acceptance, change, compromise, patience, intuition and balance. But then there are his last words of wisdom, which turn out to be his last words. The Gambler said, “The best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.” This reminds me of the meaninglessness of Ecclesiastes. Unless medicine hugely revolutionizes, every single person on Earth (and the International Space Station) whether successful or a loser, rich or poor, a humanitarian or a sociopath, right wing Republican or left-wing Democrat, Christian or Atheist, in 150 years will be gone and it will be all new people on Earth. In the history of the world or even human history, 150 years is a fraction of history. If I become a famous writer, or if I drink myself to death, or any number of other possibilities, in 150 years it will be a different world. Then The Gambler crushes out his cigarette and fades off to sleep. The song says he “breaks even” which I take to mean he dies. But it turns out his life isn’t meaningless. The Narrator says that in The Gambler’s final words he found an “Ace” that he could keep. The Narrator gained wisdom, wisdom that I’m trying to continue to share 50 years later. That’s the irony of “The Gambler.” The song finds meaning in meaninglessness. I find that’s true with much of art, poetry, music, and movies. Morning Nothings That Mean Everything LORRAINE LAMEY Groundcover contributor Like a farmer with her buckets for feeding, watering, and rinsing, I make my morning rounds and sound a smacked lip chirp cardinal style with a pur-dee-bur-dee-bur-dee-bur-dee — (or two) thrown in for good measure — to let all the birds know their bath and watering holes are refreshed, and their feeders are full, as full as my heart when I round the garden of nectar blooms with the buzzies and flutterbyes already busy at their feast, while the joyful ones zip and hover between their hummingbird feeder and the forest of blooms. Neighbors stroll by in the perfect summer sun — blue sky, warm air, with a kiss of the north wind dissipating humidity and heat. Some have dogs who love skritches, strokes, and singing praise. Once again indoors, sunshine and fresh air stream through the open windows and screens unveiled after weeks of stultifying dripping heat, all to the soundtrack of WRCJ's classical tunes and Dr. Dave's dad jokes about long dead composers: You say "Carmina." I say "Burana." Let's call the whole thing "Orff." Peace breathes in and out of the morning air, falls like dew on leaf and blade. March RYAN MCCARTY Groundcover contributor My old neighbor’s staying with a woman around the block. It’s the start of spring. She works days. His feet are killing him. He needs a lift to Family Dollar. He’s planning a feast for her, something to cook in the less-cold sun. He’s carrying two phones but no chargers. One has a lock screen with a close-up of her breasts. All I can think to say is, with two phones, he could’ve spread the shot out. That gives him a jolt. There are four other cars in the lot, with four drivers waiting for someone, arms out their windows, soaking heat from the sun-beat sides of their cars. My neighbor decides on tuna with relish. She never eats after work anyway. But he scored triple-As for the universal remote. Now it’s a dinner show. He’s so worked up, he forgot the painkillers for his feet. It’s ok. He’s got a fresh set of batteries. GROUNDCOVER NEWS Musings at the Market PETER MICHAELSON Groundcover contributor In Ann Arbor this bright morning, my joy shoots up ten watts: a parking spot opens up by the Farmer’s Market’s flower pots. It’s late July, the hottest time up here in the north country. I slip into the knots of people eyeing the organics. Peaches preen and pepper powders sneeze at the gentle people gliding to their ease. They all take baby steps and are pleased with where they glance. Here time tarries where, entranced, the Motown Bakery and Cider Mill ogle fat blueberries in ten-pound boxes. The Green Things Farm Collective says the goodies are gourmet. Banter at the Frog Holler Farm booth claims the world will be okay. If I had a purist’s devotion, I would eat that Stony Creek cabbage and apply this Great Goat Lotion. Here the coffee tastes like slam poetry set to the bongs of an explosion. Caffeinated, my pensive mind throngs among the townies. Nature is so lush, I muse, and we stumble around bumping into her, smashing into her, not like this pressed juice we gently crush. We harm what overwhelms us, I deduce. I curb this grief, come back to the moment to romance the treats: baby kale, Mindo chocolates, fresh pressed juice, Dexter beef, Hippy Tea, pierogies and purses. Frozen natural meats coexist with catnip, snake, and shrimp plants. Flowers charm the eyes and crown the crowd by Fluffy Bottom Farms. Hey Honey consoles the dead duck and walleye across the aisle. The mushroom man sells caviar of fungi. Ennobled in Flora and Fauna’s showplace, we become the grace that smiles at passers-by. 15
16 GROUNDCOVER NEWS FOOD AMANDA GALE Groundcover vendor No. 573 This is my Beloved Granny’s actual, handwritten indications for our Family Angel Wings Recipe, which we called "Stuchette" in our Northern Italian dialect. Stuchette means ‘pieces’ or ‘broken pieces,’ and that meaning fits well with the broken body of CHRIST and HIS healings of our brokennesses. These cookies are typically made during Lent; we made them then, and also along with our Resurrection Sunday meal. Since my Granny is passed from this life, including this recipe in her own hand feels like a special tribute to her; and like, she now has her ‘Angel Wings’. For folding, like many European holiday recipes, ‘Angel Wings’ appears in several countries, and with variations, though mostly for its shaping. There are simple ribbons and bow ties; our Family shaped these cookies as knot-bows, as follows: Cookies are always shaped before frying. Roll dough out as thin as possible (nearly transparent, like thick APRIL 3, 2026 Angel Wings for Easter lasagna noodles) on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough (with a round wheel tool for design or a butter knife) into strips about 1/2” wide. Cut a slit in the center of each strip; take one end of strip and tuck it through the center slit, pulling it gently to create a twisted bow or ‘wing’ appearance. Tug gently to lengthen and further thin pastry for a lighter texture. Fry each one in hot oil until golden, 30-60 seconds per side. Drain on paper towels, and generously dust with powdered sugar while warm. ENJOY! Key to some obscure words from my Granny’s handwriting: remaining ingredients, keep stirring, shape into ball, "+" for "and," through machine, have oil, Crisco oil, sprinkle with. Also please note ‘heavy cream’ could be just ‘heavy cream’ and not coffee cream. THE FUTURE OF ENERGY IS RISING OVER ANN ARBOR The Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility is an opt-in program that provides community-owned, 100% renewable energy using solar, battery storage and geothermal systems at participating homes and businesses across the city. a2seu.com Ann Arbor Sustainable Energy Utility The future of energy lives here. PHONE (734) 994 - 9174 • PEOPLESFOOD.COOP NATURAL FOODS MARKET & DELI 216 N. FOURTH AVENUE ANN ARBOR, MI MAKE MEALS YOU LOVE! Fresh ingredients to $5 OFF ANY PURCHASE OF $30 OR MORE One coupon per transaction. Must present coupon at the time of purchase. Coupon good for in-store only. No other discounts or coop cards apply. Not valid for gift cards, case purchases, beer or wine. OFFER EXPIRES 4/16/2026
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