words can reforge us

A Colloaboration with Jason McBride of Weirdo Poetry

Say what you will about the internet and it's capacity to bring out the worst in our species. The opportunities it presents for divisiveness and toxicity. It's a fickle motherf*cker, that's true.

It can be dark, and cruel, and unrelenting. It can be lonely, and isolating, and unforgiving.

But sometimes it can also be randomly beautiful.

Sometimes in online spaces and communities we're given access to other artists, writers, and makers. We are given a taste of fellowship and belonging. A glimpse of the simple truth that despite all our apparent separateness and seclusion we are never alone.

And sometimes we are even given the chance to make things with and alongside those very same makers, and what other word could there be for that than "amazing".

Jason McBride

is a creator with a rare gift. He brings together comics and poetry seamlessly and imaginatively. A poised distillation of words and images that makes poetry palpable, accessible, and something different than many of us thought it could be. I've been lucky enough to collaborate with him in an unexpected capacity.

I sent him a poem and he was generous enough to agree to illustrate it. What he returned exceeded all my expectations. Hope you love it as much as I do.

If you enjoyed this collaboration the good news is that there'll be a part two in the near future where we'll switch rolls. He'll send me a poem and I’ll create the art for it. Given how high Jason has set the bar, I'm nervous, but I'm excited to try.

Take care.

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