strangely hypnotized

I am what God made me. And perhaps it is my difference that will make me useful. I think again of your sermon. I know what it is to exist between the world’s certainties.

This is by a patient of mine with early late stage dementia, who was a poet for most of her life. Her new poems are dictated to me during writing workshops I run at my hospice job. She hadn't written since her diagnosis. This is one of seventeen poems I've written with her so far.

I’ve been doing poetry since I could write but I do think she was my only teacher.

Working with her was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I mean it when I say you all are so lucky to get even this glimpse at the majesty of her work.

In her words from another poem (not posted):

I am not the only creature watching

All of this,

Drinking it in.

I have a companion,

The cat who sleeps in the backyard

Is watching, too,

What Survival Left Behind, art exhibition for young Palestinians at al-Bareij refugee camp in Gaza city Middle East, Palestine; May 2026

Help Nader, please. He needs pain medication and surgery and to get those things he needs exorbitant amounts of cash. They don't have much in savings right now, last time Nader reported for living expenses such as rent/etc (extremely high and not fixed) is only a little over $10k, and this is dwindling because of gaps in donations.

That might sound like a lot, but it's absolutely not. If I had $10k, with the price of living so high I could survive about 6 months in my city before running out of money for rent and groceries, I didn't even factor my utilities.

Imagine a city that has been for the most part cut from the outside world. Resources are limited and the money is draining fast. If you're working class with a job, think about how hard it is for you to save money in an economy that may be suffering but isn't being strangled.

It's almost impossible to get ahead. And to get out is hundreds of thousands with his family members and father's medical expenses.

I can't fathom how hopeless he must feel.

Unveiling of What Survival Left Behind, a young artist's exhibition held in Gaza's Al-Bureij refugee camp Asian, Middle East; Palestine, May 2026 Organized and held at Al-Bureij refugee camp, the open air exhibition featured young Palestinian visual artists who have survived years of attempted genocide

Fr Mike Schmidt

Mark Whalberg

Jim Cazievel

Mel Gibson

In 1951, during Clement Attlee’s last days as PM, Attlee received a letter from a 15-year-old schoolgirl named Ann Glossop. She wrote to the PM to complain that she was being made to resit her School Certificate - not because she had failed, but because she was too young to qualify when she passed the exam the first time. The thing that caught Attlee’s eye was that Ann Glossop had written her letter entirely in verse. This is her poetic remonstrance to the premier:

Would you explain, dear Clement, Just why it has to be That certificates of education Are barred to such as me? I’ve worked through thirteen papers But my swot is all in vain, Because at this time next year I must do them all again.

Please have pity, Clement, And tell the others too, Remove the silly age limit It wasn’t there for you.

Attlee found the time to compose a poem in response - also in verse:

I received with real pleasure Your verses, my dear Ann. Although I’ve not much leisure I’ll reply as best I can.

I’ve not the least idea why They have this curious rule Condemning you to sit and sigh Another year at school.

You’ll understand that my excuse For lack of detailed knowledge Is that school certs were not in use When I attended college.