We gathered to center voices in the region who are committed to advancing access and equity in infrastructure and systems that lead to greater equity in economic development. This poetry was inspired from the attendees and created by poet Cassie Williams.

 

We long to exist in shared spaces
doing the work of connecting
childcare provider to child
students to graduation
veterans to stability
all forced to slow down
even if the buildings that distance us
urgently needs repair

Hope is a resource
muffled behind masks and desktop screens
we wipe tears through phone lines
of falling businesses and the unemployed
extended hands that reach out to help
can only type emailed instructions of
patience with open-ended deadlines

Although void of hand shakes and coffee conversation
a pandemic is not the sole source of division between us
unity continues to echo in the distance
lost in between piles of plans with no plans
or sat on shelves of empty offices right next
to welcoming “the other”
the unknown
the uncomfortable

The possibilities of our future is what drives us
to meet over video calls
endure long waits for answers
and prolonged solution while in makeshift offices
at breakfast tables and front porches
sitting next to children who simply want to go to school

Some of our efforts may seem to go unnoticed
sunken in between cracked concrete
faded ink in defunded small town newspapers
broken signals in areas unreachable
we continue the pursuit to remain connected
uplifted during a time of waiting and a push for self preservation
We continue to try to move forward together.