It All Changes So Quickly

A poem, an invitation, and a meditation on time

30 Seconds

Yes, life can change in seconds. I am heartbroken about the continued violence and division in my home country. I will not go into details because you can read them elsewhere. This is a space for creativity and care. I share my heart and my art with you as a refuge from the chaos. My hope is that you can come here as if you were walking through the doors into my creative studio, one of the quiet, welcoming places in the world…and breathe.

Three Minutes

Three minutes. That’s all it took. She told us to write about preparing and, in response, this poem poured out. Later that afternoon, I walked. As I walked, the poem reorganized itself. In the end, I didn’t make a zillion changes. Poetry doesn’t have to be perfect. However, it must be written. As the prompt, a quote by poet Maggie Smith, said:

“You can’t force a poem, but I think you can prepare for one.”

Maybe the only thing I’ve ever prepared for was the poem, the song, the story, the splash of color, the opportunity to support (and maybe inspire) those I love and those I’ve never met. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the way the events of the past few years (personally, nationally, and globally) have changed me. What am I meant to do? How am I meant to serve? Lately, the most clear answer has been: maybe all I’m really meant to offer is creativity and care. I’ll continue to live with these questions this year. For now, the poem:

Listen to me reading this poem:

15-30 minutes

Most mornings as a way to center myself before entering the chaos of the world, I sit in front of my altar and meditate for 15-30 minutes with Insight Timer. Sometimes, I listen to a recording and sit silently. Sometimes, I chant. Or breathe. Other times, I find someone like Rebecca Schamess, a teacher and honest-to-goodness human, who reads (mostly non-Christian) prayers, loving-kindness meditations, and excerpts from good books to help us remember we are not alone every weekday morning at 6:00 am Pacific Time. I have been so grateful for the time to collectively send loving-kindness to those who are suffering. Perhaps, I will “see” you there.

2 hours

I wrote my 3-minute poem during a 2-hour writing workshop I co-facilitated last week. Writing with others does that for me. When I sit alone at a table in a coffeehouse or at the library and “try” to write (see quote above), I often walk away frustrated. When I gather with other writers in an Amherst Writers & Artists (AWA) writing workshop, I always walk away with new writing and new inspiration.

This February, AWA will be hosting Write Around The World, an event featuring dozens and dozens of 2-hour writing workshops. All the facilitators are volunteers who do this for the love of the method, the love of writing, the love of our community of writers, and love for the beings of this world. All proceeds benefit the organization and help keep its programs alive.

Between visits to mom and dad and REST, I am going to try to attend as many workshops as I can. Maybe I’ll see you at one or two.

On February 3, I’ll be co-facilitating Words for the Invisible, an affinity group for people with Chronic Illness & Invisible Disabilities (physical, mental, emotional). If you would like to be with people who understand what it feels like, I’d love to write with you there. Or if you know someone who might benefit from a workshop like this, please let them know. Registration and information HERE.

365 Days

My very light plan for 2026 is to:

• Stay awake and curious

• Write about it

• Create and care

• Be my weird self

• Love fiercely and imperfectly

Thank you, friends, for reading.

~Holly