Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Poetry

  • In the front load washer, I can see whites and darks and grays mixed together. The checked blue shirt, gym shorts with the single cinched drawstring, and the lacy number that may be a halter top. I look at your clothes like an alien species or as a xenophobe looks at their neighbor, considering him…

  • We blame immigrants We blame minorities We blame women We blame sexuality We blame immorality We blame liberals We blame conservatives We blame judges We blame cops We blame communities We blame mothers We blame fathers We blame workers We blame corporations We blame executives We blame bankers We blame lawyers We blame soldiers We…

  • Belief Believing “they have always done it” does not make it right. Thinking “they must’ve deserved it” does not mean they did. Fearing for your life does not justify your taking theirs. Holding a weapon doesn’t make you safe. Choosing the easier route for yourself may make it harder for someone else. Supporting only people…

  • Our Side

    Our side is the side that sits with the maimed and the murdered. Our side is the side that sits with the peaceful and the beaten, the prophet and the martyr. Our side is the side that sits with the people pained by the world and wrestles with the pain itself. Grappling with hate and…

  • There is something annoying about perfection.Like a gift, wrapped closed, pristinethe brown paper folded, taped, encircledby paper ribbon, then tied–here! A wild bow like straw,like the uncouth prophet emerging from the wildswith lips sticky from locusts and honey,camel’s hair clothing and belt—known simplyas The Baptizer.Scraggly, unblemished, and unknown.We resist opening and sheddingthis rugged, ravishing beautythat…

  • If I were to personify the sun, I would find myself waking with a secret companion, hidden in plain sight. So obvious that she could be missed by each of us – especially my spouse, who is no morning person. The sun, my mistress rises before I want to, before I can even bring my…