I #SupportWNDB – The Series: LET’S!
*This post does not directly hit upon the series’ theme of the importance of diversity in literature, but after recent societal punches to the gut, heaves, and shoves, I was so moved by the simplicity and soothing cadence of Jena’s poem that I asked her if I could post it as part of the series. Lucky for me, and all of you, she was kind enough to say yes.
Let’s
Jena Schwartz
I can’t bring myself to comment or post right now about what goes on. About injustice and rage and whose lives matter and racism and national regression (was there progress?) and despair and privilege and ignorance and talking to my kids and eye contact and really seeing each other and listening and power dynamics and no more no more not one more.
I am sharing these little rhymes at the risk of sounding trite or trivial. They came out of the writing group I’m feeling so honored to be witnessing; its participants are reminding me that community is a powerful and necessary healing force.��
Every one of us has stories, all of equal realness and value. And some lives are not worth less than others.
I am so sick about the story this country continues to write about itself. Let’s rewrite it. Let’s let’s let’s let’s.
Let’s blow this joint
let’s ditch this town
where nothing changes
no one comes round
let’s scratch the ticket
win ten bucks
fill up the car
and call it luck
let’s sit in silence
then make some noise
let’s get all sexy
lacy coy
Let’s call in sick
but go be well
spend the day
playing show and tell
let’s burn the rules
and draw new maps
at three o’clock
let’s take a nap
let’s trust the path
on which we’re walking
let’s say hell yeah
and now you’re talking
let’s soon forget
to disagree
I look at you
you look at me
let’s blast the tunes
and set out west
gain ten pounds
forget the rest
let’s start our days
with lists of five
and holler to
the empty sky
let’s muse about
how time gets old
like dying stars
whose light is bold
let’s riff and raff
and polygraph
let’s not forget
it’s good to laugh
let’s fill our room
with twinkle bulbs
paint signs on hearts
that say we’re sold
let’s love this life
for all its giving
and say this song
is for the living
Poet Jena Schwartz thrives on mega doses of vulnerability, chutzpah, and connection. She leads online writing groups designed to encourage practice by nurturing creative freedom, curiosity, and community. Her first self-published collection, “Don’t Miss This,” traces her journey through marriage, motherhood, and coming out. Jena lives and writes in Amherst, MA, with her rockstar wife, Mani Schwartz.
If you want to catch up to Jena, you can find her here:
There are only 5 days left, so please consider assisting our efforts to diversify everyone���s bookshelf by donating to We Need Diverse Books fundraising campaign by clicking ���>HERE.��It’s vital, folks!
#SupportWNDB
