Having recovered from the rewarding demands of the Women’s March on Washington—and across the nation and around the world—we are just not ready to give up that fabulous feeling. To sustain it a bit longer, in this week’s issue we feature the works of four writers who marched or would have, had death not defied intent.
The issue includes Julie Friesen’s essay, “March Interrupted,” describing her unexpected detour before the march even began from “the center of the world” to the South; Boston march participant Brenda Davis Harsham, whose poem celebrates “America the Beautiful”; and Julie Harthill Clayton and Rachel Federman’s works, offering a multitude of reasons people marched, in prose and poetry respectively.
Maybe their words will enlighten Donald Trump, who seemed befuddled by what he referred to as “protests.” He claims to have watched them, but he may never grasp them—it’s not at all clear what, if anything, he can understand that hasn’t erupted from his own maw or smart phone keyboard.
Perhaps we can simply be grateful for the inspiration he provides. Which brings us to a video offering in the issue, “Nasty Woman,” the poem that captured the heart and soul of the march, performed by its creator, Nina Mariah.
Finally, many thanks to artist Patrick Brown for sharing his most apropos painting, “Sisters,” to launch this week’s issue.
What a gorgeous painting!