SAL/ON

A Blog of Seattle Arts & Lectures

“Simply Just Existing” by Simran Krishnamurthy

Simply Just Existing Life as an observer, mine not yours. As you get to play the game at its fullest. But I am a human after all, built to play the role I must. I am the quiet eye behind the window, only looking in. But here I am once again, second best. Only another […]

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“The Wizard of Bygone Boulevard” by Jo Chick and “Arizonia Phoenixen” by Michael Anthony Xavier Lewin, Jr.

“The Wizard of Bygone Boulevard” by Jo Chick Bygone boulevard was by no means a lively place, considering its inhabitants consisted of geriatric witches and wizards. For most of Bygone’s residents, existence was exasperating. The new world of technology ferociously and ravenously destroyed the prior meanings and values one would live for, that of magic. […]

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The Many Desires of Kate Baer

This essay is part of a series in which Seattle Arts & Lectures partners with Poetry Northwest to present reflections on visiting writers from the SAL Poetry Series. On Thursday, March 2, Kate Baer will read and discuss her work in conversation with Rebecca Hoogs at Rainier Arts Center, at 7:30 pm (PT). Tickets to […]

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An Illustration From Krista Tippett & Isabel Wilkerson’s Event

If you’ve been following us for a while, you may know Tessa Hulls, the “SAL Official Doodler” and author of the forthcoming graphic novel Feeding Ghosts (MCD Books, 2023). We were so lucky that Tessa attended our event in collaboration with the On Being Project on February 15, 2023, and captured the evening in doodle form! Take a […]

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“A Spark of Hope” by Rae Brumbaugh

Through a deep night shines a spark of hope like a wasp without a stinger like a blinding rip in the needles of the air no one sees this hope or maybe they’re just too tired to care It flickers through the floodwater It could light a flame It could burn down all of the […]

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SAL Staff Recommend: Seattle’s Best Spots for Bibliophiles

In the nine years since AWP (the Association of Writers & Writing Programs) last came to Seattle, we’ve seen a host of new shops and eateries open and many well-loved businesses and restaurants relocate within the city. Whether you live local or want to live like a local, we’ve compiled a list of our staff’s […]

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Welcome, Haines Whitacre, SAL’s New Donor Relations Associate!

We’re delighted to introduce you to Haines Whitacre, SAL’s new Donor Relations Associate! To help you get to know Haines, we asked her all about her work with SAL, reading habits, favorite pastimes, and her sea-swept origins below. Welcome to the SAL team. Tell us about your new role! I am the Donor Relations Associate at […]

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“The Just Compromise” by Adhya Kona

Plato once asserted that justice, in the scheme of morality and goodness, ultimately comes down to compromise. We discussed it in class, so it must be true, but tell me, philosopher, if perhaps I could arrange for a meeting with your dust and bones—   Is it a just compromise, every time the story plays […]

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“The Coolness of the Glass” by Ainslee Workman

From here I see nothing There is nothing here There is not sky, or soft curling clouds There is no place where the sand becomes sea From here I hear nothing There is not gentle conversation There is no snapping of branches What a thing to be To be standing at a window and seeing […]

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“Standstill / Stand Still” by Kiana Gladney

At the peak of my anxiety, consumed by emotion, overwhelmed by intrusive thoughts, I’m at a standstill. I don’t know when my home got bigger or I when I simply shrunk, but my house is far too big for me, and lately I feel so small. At a standstill of uncertainty, I’ve found that lately […]

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