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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
I'm a big fan of shopping local, supporting small businesses, and giving my money to companies that give back to the community and do good. I also have spent my time in quarantine doing a lot of online shopping and needed something to help me justify all my purchases. And so I bring you Monthly Mains, a series where I’ll highlight three things that have made my life better (and will probably make yours better, too).
April has been quite the month - and not exactly in a good way. I know that can be said about every month for the past however long it's been since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic for, but for me personally, April has been the most draining month yet.
I think it's the fact that the bad news just keeps piling up. I especially noticed this as I was compiling a list of important topics I wanted to highlight in this month's post along with my three fantastic finds.
I started with a list of three issues, all carried over from the previous month: the current situation in Myanmar, which has seen hundreds of people, including children, being killed by the military since it took over power in February; the ongoing crisis in Yemen, which is considered the largest humanitarian crisis in the world; and the mistreatment and detention of Uighur Muslims in China, as well as other ethnic minorities that are being held in internment camps there.
But as the month went on, I seemed to have more and more to add to the list. The devastating volcanic eruption on the Caribbean island of St Vincent, which forced more than 20,000 people to evacuate. The area is also dealing with flooding and mudslides, and the UN believes the effects of the eruption will last for months.
France passed a controversial law banning girls under the age of 18 from wearing a hijab, a move that targets the country's minority Muslim population and women. In the same month, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Quebec upheld Bill 21, which bans government employees from wearing hijabs and turbans (and other religious items, but I mean... we all know there are only certain religious groups that are being impacted by this law).
Derek Chauvin, the police officer who killed George Floyd in May 2020, was convicted of all three counts he was facing: second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. And while it isn't exactly justice, the verdict was a rare example of accountability.
The moment of relief was short-lived though, with news of another fatal police shooting that same day. The victim was Ma'Khia Bryant, a 16-year-old Black girl, who was shot and killed by police in Columbus, Ohio.
Then there's India. Along with the Farmers' protests, which are still ongoing, the second wave of COVID has hit the country hard, with more than 300,000 cases being reported daily, completely overwhelming hospitals. The country is dealing with a shortage of oxygen and hospital beds, and crematoriums can't keep up with the number of victims. And it appears the government is not doing anything about it.
The situation in India will also likely have a (negative) global impact. It's also opened a debate into vaccine diplomacy and has further highlighted inequality and access to vaccines and basic health necessities (something we've also seen in Canada and the U.S.).
Okay. I know. You didn't come here to read about how awful the world is. So I'll stop. But I think it's important to mention that all of these things are just scratching the surface. I could keep going, or even just expand on what I shared. That to me is the worst part. There is so much bad news, close to home and far from it, every day.
I've realized that while it's important to be informed, it's too easy to get caught up in the negative and miss all the positives. Even small positives should be celebrated and appreciated, ESPECIALLY these days. The world won't change overnight, so it's vital for us to be aware of what's happening locally, nationally and internationally, and push to make things better for everyone. But it's equally as vital to make an effort to see the good that exists as well, because there is a lot of it too.
One thing that falls into the "good that exists" category for me is poetry. April is National Poetry Month, and I felt it was a great opportunity to focus on three fantastic poets whose words inspire, are thought-provoking, and can make people like me (who are not normally good at interpreting poems) feel all the things.
Without further ado, here are three poetry books that reminded me to look for positives this month:
I haven't read a poem by Jasmin Kaur that doesn't resonate with me in some way. Her first novel, When You Ask Me Where I'm Going, is much more than just a collection of poems. The book uses poetry (and some accompanying illustrations) to tell a story that dives into mental health, abuse, struggles faced by women and immigrants, but also love and empowerment.
Kaur's words will, in just a few lines, leave you experiencing an eruption of internal emotions. Her poems will make you smile, punch you in the gut, and cause you to feel a deep need to raise you voice.
I've realized that while it's important to be informed, it's too easy to get caught up in the negative and miss all the positives. Even small positives should be celebrated and appreciated, ESPECIALLY these days. The world won't change overnight, so it's vital for us to be aware of what's happening locally, nationally and internationally, and push to make things better for everyone. But it's equally as vital to make an effort to see the good that exists as well, because there is a lot of it too.
One thing that falls into the "good that exists" category for me is poetry. April is National Poetry Month, and I felt it was a great opportunity to focus on three fantastic poets whose words inspire, are thought-provoking, and can make people like me (who are not normally good at interpreting poems) feel all the things.
Without further ado, here are three poetry books that reminded me to look for positives this month:
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
Kaur's words will, in just a few lines, leave you experiencing an eruption of internal emotions. Her poems will make you smile, punch you in the gut, and cause you to feel a deep need to raise you voice.
It was difficult for me to pick a favourite piece from the book, but this month I found myself coming back to her poem "when i ran from my own heart" multiple times.
To me, the poem acts as a reminder to remain connected your roots, even if at times you feel like escaping who you are or where you came from. Growing is not always a comfortable process or a painless journey, and it's something you can't prevent. But at the end of the day, you need your roots in order to grow, and it's from watering, caring for and tending to them that you (and those who come after you) will flourish.
Kaur has since released a follow-up to her first novel, called If I Tell You the Truth, which is written in the same way as her debut and gives more background into the story's main characters. I highly recommend both.
You can learn more about Kaur and her work by visiting her website.
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
Coke Machine Glow (which is also the name of Downie's first solo album) came out in 2001. I didn't pick it up until much later, and to be honest, I didn't know what to expect. Could a rock singer really write good poetry? The answer, I found out, is Yes.
Much like his lyrics, Downie's poems tell stories. Some are a bit abstract, while others seem very straightforward and clear. There's romance, there's a glimpse of life on tour, there's longing, there's a sense of loneliness, and so much more.
My favourite in this collection is "Clouds." It tells the story of a person in a plane that's taking off, and highlights the different thoughts that might come to someone who is afraid of flying. Surprisingly, the 15 short lines will take you on a rollercoaster of feelings and thoughts - uneasiness, acceptance of what's to come, deep thoughts, flashbacks to better times, and finally, relief.
Coke Machine Glow is a really great collection of poems. And maybe it's because I associate The Tragically Hip (and in turn, Gord Downie) with comfort, but reading these poems makes me feel at ease. I highly recommend you add it to your personal library.
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| Illustration by Len Kurosaki |
I've actually had the opportunity to (virtually) meet Juju, and she radiates light, wisdom, confidence and a power that's not threatening but also not to be messed with. I feel her poetry is almost a story of how she came into this version of herself (at least, that's my interpretation). The poems seem to come from a place of vulnerability and self-discovery that is so personal yet so relatable. They're all relatively short, but they have a long-lasting impression.
My favourite piece in this collection, "Burning", is only 13 words. But those 13 words have been etched in my brain since I first read them. While studying journalism in university, I was taught that words matter, and to really focus on writing in a way that shared all the important messaging in a clear and concise way. Juju's work is exceptional for many reasons, but I especially appreciate (and am in awe of) her ability to convey a message without needing to say a lot.
Juju isn't just an incredible poet. She offers a number of courses focused on healing through creativity and spiritual work. You can find more information on her Instagram page.
Side dishes
Podcast:Quote:
“Darling, you feel heavy because you’re too full of truth. Open your mouth more. Let your truths exist somewhere other than inside your body.”
— Della Hicks Wilson
Song: