Here is a practice: Observe your child enter the room Say nothing Consider yourself at your child’s age Say nothing still (If they ask you a question or request something, respond minimally, just enough – you might have to put off the practice for later – there will be many chances, believe) Feel the backContinue reading “Parenting practice”
Author Archives: Devon Riley
A Day of Mourning
11.26 A Day of Mourning I want to sit down and grieve Sit in the snow Feel the cold settling of Futures cut off Back, front, inside, below The cat cowers beneath A threat he feels, we cannot see Less confident, less relaxed He found out about the world Yet we call him crazy? WeContinue reading “A Day of Mourning”
Grief and Grounding
I’ve let so much fall away. Have you? I don’t think there will ever be an end to the grief. Which feels like a relief – You know? I can step into the stream, anytime I need. I took an online class Maceo said If the only thing we can do with Agency is Collapse, Continue reading “Grief and Grounding”
Healing the learning
When I wrote my most recent newsletter back in June, I said that I would make a list of de-colonial, anti-racist, collective liberation resources available on my website. Then I didn’t do it. That I still didn’t do it when I finally sent the newsletter, months later, let me know that that promise had beenContinue reading “Healing the learning”
Graduation Film
7.30
The last few days, Clara has woken me with the snakey touch of her cold naked body. In this heat, she and Jeff are sleeping downstairs on the couch and thai mat, respectively. Today we played a familiar game (The seed and the gardener … I carefully bury her curled form in pillows, wishing sweetContinue reading “7.30”
A conscience
Conversation w Clara in the bath, while reading Ramona Do you know what ‘Conscience’ means? No Do you want me to tell you? OK People usually think that a Conscience helps you know when you have hurt someone else, or broken a social rule, does that sound familiar? No Do you think you can tellContinue reading “A conscience”
Geologic time
CW: this poem is sexy. *** Facedown on This rock Ask to feel Geologic time Strip on a pink Granite slope Stroking my Pink granite Skin Torso tipped over Plunging hand Deer tail ticks Side to side Legs straight Arch to hip Ass lifted off Hamstring Inner thighs Open both Touching and showing Cold thermalContinue reading “Geologic time”
June 24
Zelda and I rode to Laurelhurst park on May 31st to protest. It was the second night since this most recent iteration of the uprising for Black Life had sparked in Portland. Maybe the third. Jeff had just gone downtown to “help clean up” with John G. Tonight I will march again … for theContinue reading “June 24”
March 31st
Last night, something real happened between my daughter and me. As a friend said, “everyone’s regular patterns are just getting louder right now.” As my therapist said, “Strategies are going to show up.” As another friend said, “I don’t think we can expect to do this better; I think we can only try to be kind toContinue reading “March 31st”
Practice with Devon 