by Jacob Richards
I feel low;
low down.
The little street paper
that i wrote for is shutting down
Woe is me.
It wasn’t much
A story a month.
It didn’t pay enough,
to even justify the rewrites
but stubbornly,
and at a loss to me and my family,
I carved out time and brainpower;
I called and emailed;
developed sources
attended meetings!
The gig; the last link
to a dream
of being a paid writer.
No matter how little it paid.
I think I will miss calling city hall
with questions
and having them fear me,
most of all.
Without a paper,
Who am I even writing for?
Why did I go to college?
Then I saw on 9 News...
The unhouse vendors of The Voice.
A man with a beard:
“When they told me
they were shutting down,
I stayed in bed for three days”
An older woman, with red hair
And thick glasses:
“This is the longest job I’ve ever held in my life--
to be honest.”
A black man in front of a mural:
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep this paper going.”
Perspective is everything.
Author’s Note: Please consider joining the growing effort to save The Denver Voice! Colorado's only street paper. Donate — The Denver VOICE
Jacob Richards is a writer, editor, activist, and wilderness guide in Western Colorado.