DON'T DENY THE DAY

BY LE'VAR HOWARD

Small denials of the day. Too often people refuse to acknowledge the world around them and the fact that this space in air and time is theirs. Ours to claim, to own, and to hold responsibly. This space is a shared space and depending on how we care to do our part for one another, determines how sturdy a bridge we build for the future — how we lead for the next life to come. What we leave behind matters. What we do and have to show for our many years will aid or hinder the progress of our existence as humans, as animals, plant life and all the insects and critters who live to do their part furthering the preservation of life. My message: Don’t deny the small things.

Don’t deny the day. | LH

LE’VAR HOWARD IS A PORTLAND, OREGON NATIVE. MOST OF HIS FAMILY COMES FROM GULF PORT, MISSISSIPPI, ATLANTA, TEXAS, AND OKLAHOMA. LE’VAR IS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE GROUND BENEATH US WRITING GROUP. HE TRACES INFLUENCES ON HIS WRITING TO HIS AFRICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE.