Hello everyone. The time has finally come. My new book is officially out tomorrow. I’ve been waiting years for this moment to arrive. Thanks for joining me on the journey.
I’m excited to gather with my Detroit community on December 7th at Book Suey to celebrate my latest creation and again on December 9th at Next Chapter Books. I needed to send this newsletter out today to remind folks about these upcoming events, because I so badly want to see you and share this with you in person. More to come, but I’ll also be heading to California in mid-January for a mini-tour (Skylight Books in LA 1/16 - Northtown Books in Arcata 1/20). I find myself craving real life connection more than ever these days.
In support of this new project, I’ve been a guest on so many podcasts over the last few weeks and each time I talk about A Year in Practice it feels like I’m casting a reaffirmation spell. Over and over again, as I answer countless questions and read my many poems, I find that I truly believe in what this book offers. It’s a gentle, holistic tool for embodiment and inspiration, it’s a clear reminder of earthly wisdom, and I deeply care about its accessible message.
Thank you to everyone who preordered. Thank you to everyone who continues to order. I can’t wait to hear what you think. I want to be with you as you process your connection to the seasons. I want to experience your poetic expressions and witness the way you align with earth’s cadence. I want to know what works for you and what newness you uncover. I’m so grateful to you all for your support and participation as I release this work into the world.
This morning I woke up with the following poem pouring out of me. After a long talk with a dear friend yesterday, these words started brewing and turning over in my mind. I couldn’t sleep. I can’t think of much else.
As we experience our collective tangle of grief and rage, it feels important to remember that so many of us have personal connections to the people and places under attack. These ties affect the ability to process and intensify the response of mourning or dissociation. What does it look like to consider each person’s reality while demanding peace and dismantling oppression? How can we be both urgent and patient in our understanding? I’m moved by the idea of nuanced care and the way it works with the pace of change. I’m inspired by the multi-layered conversations and commitment to continuous witnessing.
Onward we go, into the dark season, carrying our hope and hopelessness, standing firm in our compassionate action, and sifting through our shared stories to find intersections and comfort. I feel so much loss. I break daily in response to it all. Yet, I see something else happening as well, truths exposing different roads ahead, and I welcome this long-needed shift with all of those who also cry for it to come.
My endless thanks to you,
Jacqueline