Just Keep Driving
And other words of "wisdom"
On Friday of last week, I was at The Wild Goose Festival, overseeing the UMC Tent’s Open Mic Story Telling event. On Saturday, I was back facilitating a workshop on writing poems for the resistance. Both events remind me now of the importance of sharing our stories. So, for my new readers and my patiently waiting readers, I’m going to share some stories, including some poems, in the next week or so.
Here is a poem that came from a quote I mentioned during the poetry workshop: Keep Driving * It seemed to happen with no warning, As we drove along the way. Sunny outside, Not a care in the world, But perhaps we missed a sign, A warning, a fork in the road. And so, when the crash seemed Imminent, My instinct was to take my hands Off the wheel, And cover my eyes So I would be spared, At least, Seeing the coming crash The plunge off the unexpected cliff. But I didn’t. I needed to keep my wits about me, Figure out how to steer us Away from the cliff, Keeping my eyes wide open, In order to avoid disaster. And so it is in this moment. Perhaps we missed the signs, The warnings, the unexpected fork in the road. Don’t take your hands off the wheel. We can still steer away from the cliff, Press the brakes, Stop the catastrophe. Make the calls, Write the emails. Go to the town hall meetings. Talk to your neighbors. With calm and consistent Resistance, The voices of many, We can drive to safety. Don’t look away. Don’t take your hands off the wheel. Don’t think it won’t happen if you Ignore it. Keep driving. Amy Vaughan February 19 2025 *Inspiration from Heather Cox Richardson: “When you are in a catastrophe, don’t stop driving. Keep driving”
Here is a bonus poem about DEI
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion On this snow day, I am reminded of the snowflakes, Each distinct, each a different shape. Humidity, vapour, How these hexagonal beauties Take shape Influenced by the air Around them, They evolve into Unique forms. Beauty lives in this diversity, Each one a work of art. ----- Nature abhors monocultures. Humans want to line cornfields up In perfect rows, Pine trees in an even grid, Manicured and shaped lawns, All happen because of human intervention. The very diversity we find in nature Makes not just for beauty, Like the snowflake, But plants resilient against Pests, disease, and drought. Biodiversity holds the key To stronger and healthier outcomes. --- As I think of equity in growing things I remember that if I fail to water All my plants, If I miss a container, That tomato plant, That zinnia, Will wither and die. Sometimes equity means also Understanding and meeting the diverse Needs of each plant, in fact, each animal, too. ---- I also learned from my parents, Master gardeners, About things like companion planting. Some species grow better together, And help fend off pests, While also sharing resources Mutually beneficial. This selective inclusivity This part of biodiversity, Means not a uniform blend of all, But a tapestry holding different patterns Where flora and fauna Thrive under varying conditions. Inclusive ecosystems are mutually Supportive, Although there is diversity in them, As well. And so, here we have it, Diversity Equity Inclusion. Who are we to argue with The wonderful, beautiful Mutually sustainable Systems of the natural world? Who indeed? Amy Vaughan February 20 2025
My Sheep They hear my voice, And I know them, And they follow me.* When that voice Tells you that someone, Some person, Is less than human, Less than worthy, Less than beloved, You are listening To the wrong Voice. Amy Vaughan February 23 2025 *John 10:27 More poems (and some prose) later. Amy