I am a historian, poet, essayist, library worker, mother, and community organizer. I live at the Rill, a collectively-owned community in the Mayacamas Mountains above Santa Rosa, CA, and have lots of neighbors, including deer, quail, jackrabbits, scrub jays, humans, bluebirds, and spiders.
I studied social history, anthropology, and the history of imperialism at Princeton, University College London, and Stanford, a seemingly long long time ago. While completing my PhD at Stanford, I served as Research Director for The Insular Empire: America in the Marianas, a PBS documentary about the indigenous communities of America’s territories in the western Pacific and their tangled colonial relationship with the U.S. government and military. I was an active participant in the Occupy movement in Sonoma County, and started the Occupy Santa Rosa Free School, which offered free teach-ins and civic conversation in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square for almost a full year.
I began studying and writing poetry in about 2014, and it rocked my world. I spent several years building my confidence in my creative voice, publishing both poetry and essay. You can read a lot of it on my Writings page. From that time until now, I have been gently, wisely and fiercely guided and grounded by my teacher Rachel Boughton at Flower Mountain Zen.
Before my community was devastated by wildfire in 2020, I was also a World History content writer for the OER Project, a free online curriculum resource for high school history teachers. Now, after helping my community rebuild, I work for the Sonoma County Library, am a member of Service Employees International Union local 1021, and a member of the Organizing and Communications Committees of the North Bay chapter of the California Working Families Party. To nourish this work, I completed a course in “Leadership, Organizing and Action” with Marshall Ganz (and over 100 inspiring global companions) through the Harvard Kennedy School.
Basically, I have somehow built a big, roomy, creative and meaningful life, and I give thanks every day.
Thank you so much for your companionship in this gorgeous, troubled world. We will win.
So glad you are writing. I was needing more support when it comes to using language fluidly. For instance, the word ‘unanimous’ – we all use this word. I’m interested in improving my conjugation. Like, “in a rare case of unanimity the American House and Senate voted in favor of the motion.” I am interested in increasing my tool box so I can flow more fluidly when writing and telling stories.
Thank you, Kent! I love the way you use language – always have. We can support and learn from each other.
not only do you write from such a deep source, you truly are a poet…
love you, p
Oh, Peg. Thanks so much. Your birthday poetry/dance courage has stayed with me and been such a source of strength and inspiration. Thanks for all you have brought to my life!
Dear Amy, When Thea and I left Monan’s Rill on Saturday, I found myself wishing I had asked you more about your writing. I love your horse poem and your words about how it came to be and look forward to reading more of your blog and seeing you and your beautiful family again. I, too, have felt blocked in sharing my songs, poems, and writing with the world. I am inspired reading about your journey and tasting the fruit that your trust in your process is bearing and sharing with the world.
Your poetry and words are as comfortable as a well worn t-shirt. I discovered you today on Rattle and I look forward to learning more.
Peace&Love!
Bill
Dear Bill –
What wonderful words to wake up to! Thank you so much for reading my poem and words, and it feels good to hear your describe my work that way. I do think I have a rather earnest, direct style that has that tee-shirt quality, but I never thought of it that way. So thanks!
All the best in these challenging times –
Amy
Dear Amy,
I just read your letter to Rebecca Solnit, with your swim in the Loch Ness monster koan. I enjoyed your words and thoughts as they are not desparate, but are rather matter of fact in that way we can look at the world as it is. And with that foundation, you have presented me with few lagoons to explore – I know little of Solnit’s work or Arendt’s – and the pile of books by my bed grows faster than I can handle. But best of all is your example of self-reflection and your willingness to share your thoughts of vulnerability. But yours is not a desparate vulnerability. It’s a confidence and a demonstration of trust in yourself, your community, and the world. That helps me in considering the monster koan and helps me with my life. Thank you.
Dear Tom,
Thank you so much for reaching out. I have thought about your words so many times since I received them. And also about your pile of books – as mine is just the same!
I was especially taken by what became in my mind the phrase “confident vulnerability.” Grounded in community. That felt surprising, but true. So you helped me become aware of the gifts that the Pacific Zen community – and also my life community – has given me. Thank you.
I remember reading something by Chogyam Trungpa, in which he said that humans are all basically embarrassed by being human. He wanted his teaching to help people see that, find the humor in that, overcome that. That idea of “confident vulnerability” seems to speak to that, too.
-Amy
Stunned by the clarity and location of your writing on the Ronell case. Really happy find your work – via the New Yorker. It was a very smart call to cite your work.
Enjoy the well deserved attention.