PANDEMIC POEMS What impacts our capacity to care, as individuals, and as a society? Poems by Kim Stafford IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, the ways we show up for one another are increasingly marked by a physical absence. We cancel the event. We cross the street when someone approaches us on the sidewalk. We make phone calls to the ones we love, even if they live close-by. Amidst all this change, we are still finding solace and energy in connecting with one another. Using the “Pandemic Poems” written by Kim Stafford as a touchstone, we encourage you to reflect on your own or within your community—how has your capacity to care changed recently? If you would like to host a conversation based on this theme, visit our website to download our toolkit and apply for a conversation stipend. These poems are part of a series of pandemic poems and other poetry resources at kimstaffordpoet.com and are reprinted here by permission of the author.
TAKE WING ALASKA Dig Deep and Host Your Own Conversation Are you interested in bringing these conversations to your community? www.akhf.org/kindlingconversation
Shelter in Place
Long before the pandemic, the trees knew how to guard one place with roots and shade. Moss found how to hug a stone for life. Every stream works out how to move in place, staying home even as it flows generously outward, sending bounty far. Now is our time to practice— singing from balconies, sending words of comfort by any courier, hoarding lonesome generosity to shine in all directions like stars.
KINDLING CONVERSATION
Springboards for Discussion Articles, films, images, exhibits, and texts create common ground and allow everyone to contribute.
Conversation Toolkit A facilitator guide, promotional materials, and participant surveys are ready to go.
Email from the CEO
I feel your pain—the pandemic touches us all, reaching our millions of loyal customers who make possible my eight million dollar annual salary, so now more than ever it’s important to keep those premium checks rolling in so we can take care of you if something goes wrong— I mean something really bad, like a car accident that might impair your ability to maintain your premiums. Remember, we’re all in this together. I’m rooting for you!
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A L A S K A H U M A N I T I E S F O R U M S U M M E R 2020
Facilitator Training We’ll walk you through the process and materials to ensure your community event is a success.
Funding A non-competitive $200 microgrant defrays the cost of hosting.
