Never blindly follow anyone in a world driven by self-interest.
A blog on thinking for yourself.
On hearing the truth through the white noise of fascism and capitalism.
Slow Down, A Poem
Through the razor edge of the chilly air,
We asked, “So what where those life lessons you learned.”
She paused,
The silence sinking heavy with hesitation for a moment.
Until she shook her head with pursed lips.
She said, “No, I am not comfortable.”
Her tone held the weight of her conviction
Her eyes stared at me, her unwavering gaze as steady as the stone beneath our feet.
As she added, “I don’t want to get deeper, let’s keep it surface level.”
We nodded in respect,
And continued with our questions.
“What is a lesson that has changed your life” we asked.
She looked away from us as she spoke,
“Never change yourself for someone.”
“Learn to love yourself first.”
“Always protect yourself.”
We all just watched her,
Breathing in admiration for her like crisp air
A collective knowing filling our chesty
That these are not just words,
That they were built into the strong, steel strength of her spine.
In the proud way she held her shoulders back.
They blended into the black and brown of her eyes,
As she looked us up and down, not in suspicion but discernment.
In the silence she dared to take,
In a world that always demands more,
Always demands it so fast it becomes force.
But she was brave enough to take it slow,
An act of revolution,
An insurrection that waged wars and tore back her humanity,
In the way she held her breath for a moment.
Protected her birth right to be able to decide.
And loved herself enough
To reply,
“No, I am not comfortable.”
Concept: When I think about Grace Baldauf, I think about a golden blanket. A soft, woven quilt to weather the coldest of winters. A cover of warmth that not only protects you from the chaos of the world but practically glows with sunlight. Grace has been in my life since I was 14 or…
VERBOSE 