Dear Hannah, Olivia, Laura, Blaine, Carly and Donna,

I know you all are having a hard time – we all are – and I certainly don't want to erase the reality of the moment, but looking back on my own activism and feminism, I realize that from difficult moments has often come some of my proudest moments.

THE ARC OF JUSTICE
For Chelsea Manning

Dear Child,

(to my son, and any sons and daughters who might be listening)

A few months ago, during the primary elections, you asked your dad, “If Donald Trump hates women, will he send Mommy away?” Your dad reassured you but later, when you were asleep, I reminded him that while Trump may not send your mommy away, he and his team have threatened to send other people's mommies away.

Dear Young Seeker

I am writing my letter to the revolution to you and to you specifically because you are that rare creature, the seeker. You do not really feel comfortable in any group, you do not have an identity made up of 7 adjectives that box you into a group with both the privileges of “Belonging” and the mental suffocation that comes from belonging to a such a “‘group”.

New Years Eve 2016

Dearest,

At the other end of the night
there will be a band playing
songs only you know I like
and there will be cake
-yellow cake with pink icing.

There will be a fallen tree
covered with moss to sit on
or even lay down on
if the mood strikes
and most likely it will.

There will be no reason not to relax except a desire for some other
diversion.

The air will be fresh
and only slightly humid
-just warm enough
to make your skin glow
and rise to my touch.

Oh, dear—

Somehow on that night I found myself alone in the park, looking up at the stars yes the stars were beautiful that night we don’t usually see the stars at this time of year in rainy Seattle and something came running up maybe I screamed?

Dear weary folks,

Mi querida gente,

Dearest Alicia, Caroline, Angel, Luna, and Sascha,

Dear Incredible Solutionaries,