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Hi, Everyone!
Today's the day! It's finally here! Tactile Rainbows is TONIGHT, from 6-8 PM CST! Still time to grab tickets, so come on down!
I've got a little sneak preview for you all today: the poem I'm using to open the night. I hadn't banked on writing a poem called "Tactile Rainbows," but my little Braille Nerd self couldn't resist the challenge!
As a bonus, and because today's the day to do all the brave things (cue my introvert self running away right now!) I did a cover of one of my ABSOLUTE fave pride songs, Wynn Stark's "Who I am!." This song moved me to tears, and just makes me explode with all the rainbow feels EVER!!!
Because singing is another creative outlet, I thought, why not share? Even though I haven't sang in public (outside of choir) since like, high school. Speaking of, my little choir girl self was a bit too precise with her consonants for a pop song, and me being me, I don't (probs would NEVER) like the take I ended up with, but it got a stamp of approval from the REAL musician in the family. So because there's a heck of a lot else going on today, I'll call it good enough!
OK, enough intro babble. Here's the poem! Enjoy! Come hear me read it live tonight, along with an excerpt from my novel. And even better, come hear all the beautiful humans who made tonight possible!
Lots of rainbows, tactile or otherwise!!
Amelia
TACTILE RAINBOWS
To the touch,
what is a rainbow?
Abstraction—
colors, not perceived
but by a sense
not possessed.
I propose
reframing the rainbow
in words
given life
not by color
but by texture.
There is power,
pride, proclamation,
strength, and solace
to be found
in the Brailled rainbow,
where no two symbols
are ever repeated
yet each carries
equal validity.
The straight-backed r,
stacked three dots high,
made slightly triangular
by the fourth dot
suspended, yet connected
in the letter's center,
and providing an anchor
for the free-floating a.
The a is expressed
by a solitary dot
standing alone
yet strong
in its truth:
for a never means
more than 1 thing.
The diagonal in sign
requires no foundation,
rooted, yet leaning
providing a landing
for its neighbor.
The perfect picture
of innate inclusion.
Its two dots are sparse
yet arranged in a skyward
line of acceptance,
holding space
for more than itself.
The b, thus supported,
flies up from in's tip
two stacked dots,
rocketing upward
into beauty, bliss, belonging.
And finally the semicircle
open, yet never broken,
which in its trifecta of dots
represents o and w.
Ending the rainbow
with this open door,
is an invitation,
that leaves room for more.
Just as the colors
of visual rainbows
are nuanced and varied,
giving voice
to all colors of queer,
so the Brailled rainbow
encountered by questing
queer or questioning
hands of all sizes,
speaks of solidarity,
of radiant renewal
and of radical reclamation.
Yes, Braille is a system
for relaying language.
But beneath its predictable
proportionate patterns
is an untapped potential,
an unnamed art
which uses only words
as its canvas and medium.
Some fear it is dwindling—
its function superceded
by the advancement
of the digital age.
But, just like rainbows,
and, of course, queerness,
Braille will prevail
loudly and proudly
through confident fingers
that give it life.
06/26/24 Wednesday
Made me cry yet again! Everything you touch turns to rainbows. Thank you for lighting up my life with them!