Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Poetry

  •   I tell people they won’t get the origin when they ask. That isn’t the story they actually want. That jumbled mess of confusion and diminished dreams pierced by a stunning bit of clarity. That sounds like a grand story of adventure and it is always mundane, normal. The story equivalent of a ham sandwich.…

  • There is something small in the walk, barefoot along the shore; with crunching sand and waves lapping the hem of your jeans. Soaked, drying, sandy, brushed and prepared to return to socks then shoes, then pavement, feet planting and stepping in time to music produced by your phone.

  • I’ve put off the visit for too long they tell me. I don’t have a good reason just money and time and perfection or procrastination. She asks me the usual questions about diet and exercise whether I drink or smoke; this time I find the questions funny: Have you had a drink in the last…

  • Today I’m kicking off a weekly video series called “Eating Scripture” in which I attempt to break apart this week’s gospel in about 4 minutes or fewer to pass out the juiciest and crunchiest bits for each of us to chew on over the weekend. This week, we dive into the text (Mark 7:24-37) which contains a…

  • Love Poem

    What is love but speculation? We carefully construct our appearance and speak reasonably and passionately; a courting ritual so deceitful and ambitious in its attempt to win loyalty and devotion. And yet, it is love that enters in behind lust and desire. It eats away selfish demands, revealing joy and childish giddy inhabiting even stern…