Changemakers, artists, activists,

I don’t want to sugarcoat things. Writing feels hard right now. I respect my grant writing profession as an intermediary between the wealth and the movements, a gear in the machine of incremental change, as storytellers doing their best to bend the arc of history towards justice through words helping transfer wealth and power to communities. I believe in my work as a poet to articulate what feels impossible and lonely and honest.

But every day, sitting down to write feels more and more dystopian. I look out my window and see a country in shambles. We’re poor, divided, and exhausted. What could writing possibly have to offer this moment? What’s the point?

And yet, the answer is right in front of us. Rest, and then keep going. Keep writing. Keep organizing. Keep creating. Keep mobilizing. I repeat this to myself until it sinks in. I repeat this to myself until I remember how meaningful and necessary each syllable, paragraph, verse, and story is. I repeat this to myself until I remember that it is the life’s work of writer-activists to find the truth and write it down. Keep going.

Be well & keep creating,
even when it’s hard,
especially when it’s hard,

Words from the Well

Lonely
*by Bertha Azurduy*

Oh my crooked spine, I try to stay upright,
but the years are wearing me down.
I'm so sad,
the streets are lonely and dark.
Nobody stops,
they rush past me
Oh, so fast.
As I cry, my leaves fall.
One by one,
Each, a memory of all those past years.
Of those days,
I'd have little feet climb me,
squealing in delight.
They’d hold on to my branches.
Hugs would cover all of me.
Sometimes, one would hide away in me
If lucky, with their book.
I'd bend myself to be even more comfortable,
I didn't ever want them to need a hammock.
What beautiful memories…
Though, I can't remember exactly how long ago it was.
I've lost count of all my rings.
There,
another leaf.
The wind picks it up.
He has his own complaints.
He shakes me a bit as he takes a deep breath
and says...
there's just so much
pressure.

Read here

NOVEMBER WRITING PROMPT

Write a poem that starts with the line, “I come from…”

Without naming your street, neighborhood, city, state, or country.

Submit your poem here

Meet the Beyond the Page Team

**Molly Cullen**
***Founder & Principal Consultant***

Molly is a lifelong poet, experienced grant writer, & community builder who learned early on that the stories we tell shape the world. She writes to advance justice, mobilize resources for movements, and nourish empathy & connection. When not writing grants or reading poetry at the nearest Open Mic, you can find her chasing her two young kids around the DMV (DC, Maryland, & Virginia) and yapping about the benefits of the public library to anyone who will listen.
**Can’t stop listening to:** What It Sounds Like by HUNTR/X
**Currently reading:** The Dark Maestro by Brendan Slocumb
**A poem she can’t stop thinking about:** Tankas by Victoria Chang (from *Obit*)

Talia Fuchs
*Administrative Assistant*

Talia is an administrator, educator, and vocalist-composer based in New York City. Having almost a decade of experience in administration for performing arts non-profits, she’s excited to bring her knowledge of creative projects, the grant application process, and administrative systems to Beyond the Page. When not making music, teaching or typing away on her computer - Talia can be found reading, cooking for friends, and going on long walks in the Big Apple.
**Go-to recipe:** “What’s-in-the-fridge” pasta
**Currently reading:** Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

Katie Madison
Grant Writer

Katie is a writer (novels, poetry, columns, a blog, and grocery lists that she keeps putting down and forgetting where), military spouse, military family and hospice volunteer, autoimmune disease advocate, and public speaker who has lived in every corner of the United States. When she's not curled over with horrid posture scribbling in a notebook or typing on her laptop, she's emotionally regulating her toddler, perfecting her homemade mocha lattes, and avoiding exercise and the outdoors.

Can't stop listening to: Mon Rovîa and Olivia Dean
Currently binge watching: The Diplomat (along with Frozen, Frozen II, and every Frozen spin-off that ever existed while her daughter twirls around the living room)
A poem she can’t stop thinking about: "The Journey" by Mary Oliver.