Featured Writer

Marion S. Davis

Writing Workshop Participant at Cascade AIDS Project

Marion Davis is a 56 year old African American writer living with AIDS. She has participated in two Write Around Portland workshops. In some of her powerful writings, she addresses the challenge she currently faces of going blind. Marion is also the grandmother of 8 grandchildren. Read Marion's writing and an interview with her below.

Confused

Marion S. Davis

I don't even know where to begin. So I'll start with my trip to the library. I thought that I would gain back some of my identity. I went through the doors at the Central Library in downtown Portland with all the confidence in the world. After soaking in the smells of stale old books, my escort and myself walked up to one of the counters and asked the clerk where the large print section was. We were directed to a corner of the library that had many shelves of large printed books. I was asked if I had a favorite author to which I replied, Stephen King. When I could read with normal vision, I must have read every book written by Stephen King. Those days have long been gone. Anyway, there was one book by Mr. King on the shelf that was calling out to me, Come on give me a try. I glanced at the book with my glasses on and it looked like I might be able to read it. So I decided to check it out.

It was the first time that I had been in a library for at least 15 years so I had to get a library card. I'm really feeling like I'm beginning to start a new challenge in my life and it felt really good. It felt so good that I even checked out some CD's. Little did I know that this feel good bubble would burst and splash all over me in tears.

I got the book back to Our House (my place of residency) an opened it up to begin reading it. Needless to say, it has been very difficult for me to read. Strike one.

I received a lump sum pension check from one of my former employers and I proceeded to open up a checking and savings account. My new checks came along with a debit Visa. I took one look at the checks and I couldn't see anything. There was a number to call to activate the debit card and I couldn't see that either. Again it ended in tears. Strike two.

Now my plans of moving out have really been dampened. I know that I can receive all the help that this world has to offer such as books on tapes and raised checks so that I can feel the way to write them out. I can't ask myself why I need these helpers because I'm blind and it's obvious that I do. I don't want them! But now I'm wondering if I'm really ready to move out and try to live on my own. My vision is slowly but surely trying to come to an end. Before I reach strike three, I wish that I could climb back into my mother's womb and start all over again.

Interview

Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland Workshop.

I felt like it was a safe place for me, and I could write about my true feelings, and it wouldn't bother anybody to hear me read those. The people [in the workshops] themselves made it feel safe. We shared something in common and we could write about anything.

What did you get out of the workshop?

It's given me back some of my independence. I feel more confident now. I don't mind the readings, anymore. I'm not afraid to read my writing anymore. I feel like I'm making a statement every time I do one of my readings.

Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop?

I've always written. I've got journals that I wrote as I was growing up. Writing was always a way for me to express myself whereas I couldn't do it verbally, but I could put it on paper. Being in the workshop, I could relate to somebody other than myself. I learned an awful lot from the other writers. People have vivid imaginations.

How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people's stories?

I felt really good to share and to release something I wanted to say anyway. And it just helped me be able to do that. Listening to how other people wrote, it gave me this whole new perspective on the many ways people do think.

Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others?

Yes, I would. Because it does give you a chance to release inner feelings, you could grow from it.

What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer?

Yes, I've always thought negatively and I'm working on that now. I could start a sentence good but end with negative line. After the workshop, it's bettered me in the sense that, before I speak, I think it, and I don't say the negative thing.

Is there anything you would like to tell your readers about your writing?

Just tell them what I wrote comes straight form the heart, and if you are able to be moved, then my writings will move you. I guess today's lingo would be that they are "deep."


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TAKE A Writing Workshop SIGN UP for Write Around Portland News WRITING RESOURCES	Publications & Writers Featured Writer Marion S. Davis Writing Workshop Participant at Cascade AIDS Project Marion Davis is a 56 year old African American writer living with AIDS. She has participated in two Write Around Portland workshops. In some of her powerful writings, she addresses the challenge she currently faces of going blind. Marion is also the grandmother of 8 grandchildren. Read Marion's writing and an interview with her below. Confused Marion S. Davis I don't even know where to begin. So I'll start with my trip to the library. I thought that I would gain back some of my identity. I went through the doors at the Central Library in downtown Portland with all the confidence in the world. After soaking in the smells of stale old books, my escort and myself walked up to one of the counters and asked the clerk where the large print section was. We were directed to a corner of the library that had many shelves of large printed books. I was asked if I had a favorite author to which I replied, Stephen King. When I could read with normal vision, I must have read every book written by Stephen King. Those days have long been gone. Anyway, there was one book by Mr. King on the shelf that was calling out to me, Come on give me a try. I glanced at the book with my glasses on and it looked like I might be able to read it. So I decided to check it out. It was the first time that I had been in a library for at least 15 years so I had to get a library card. I'm really feeling like I'm beginning to start a new challenge in my life and it felt really good. It felt so good that I even checked out some CD's. Little did I know that this feel good bubble would burst and splash all over me in tears. I got the book back to Our House (my place of residency) an opened it up to begin reading it. Needless to say, it has been very difficult for me to read. Strike one. I received a lump sum pension check from one of my former employers and I proceeded to open up a checking and savings account. My new checks came along with a debit Visa. I took one look at the checks and I couldn't see anything. There was a number to call to activate the debit card and I couldn't see that either. Again it ended in tears. Strike two. Now my plans of moving out have really been dampened. I know that I can receive all the help that this world has to offer such as books on tapes and raised checks so that I can feel the way to write them out. I can't ask myself why I need these helpers because I'm blind and it's obvious that I do. I don't want them! But now I'm wondering if I'm really ready to move out and try to live on my own. My vision is slowly but surely trying to come to an end. Before I reach strike three, I wish that I could climb back into my mother's womb and start all over again. Interview Tell us about your experience in a Write Around Portland Workshop. I felt like it was a safe place for me, and I could write about my true feelings, and it wouldn't bother anybody to hear me read those. The people [in the workshops] themselves made it feel safe. We shared something in common and we could write about anything. What did you get out of the workshop? It's given me back some of my independence. I feel more confident now. I don't mind the readings, anymore. I'm not afraid to read my writing anymore. I feel like I'm making a statement every time I do one of my readings. Had you written much before you joined the Write Around Portland workshop? I've always written. I've got journals that I wrote as I was growing up. Writing was always a way for me to express myself whereas I couldn't do it verbally, but I could put it on paper. Being in the workshop, I could relate to somebody other than myself. I learned an awful lot from the other writers. People have vivid imaginations. How was your experience writing in a group? Sharing with others? Hearing other people's stories? I felt really good to share and to release something I wanted to say anyway. And it just helped me be able to do that. Listening to how other people wrote, it gave me this whole new perspective on the many ways people do think. Would you recommend Write Around Portland workshops to others? Yes, I would. Because it does give you a chance to release inner feelings, you could grow from it. What did the workshop help you learn about yourself as a writer? Yes, I've always thought negatively and I'm working on that now. I could start a sentence good but end with negative line. After the workshop, it's bettered me in the sense that, before I speak, I think it, and I don't say the negative thing. Is there anything you would like to tell your readers about your writing? Just tell them what I wrote comes straight form the heart, and if you are able to be moved, then my writings will move you. I guess today's lingo would be that they are "deep."	"I just believe in myself more." Write Around Portland Participant Provide a writer with a journal, pen, bus tickets, and Anthology. Featured Writer Marion S. Davis
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