Sometimes, All We Need is a Word.

By Alicia Napierkowski

I’ve been writing since I could hold a pen in my hand and put letters together to form words. I don’t even think I was capable of comprehending the sanctity I had built with letters and syllables. I escaped and meandered through every piece of my being by transforming feelings and ideas into language.

Shit happened, and I’d run and hide from writing because I thought my voice was small and ordinary.

I was afraid of myself, my words, my impact. My Dad would always say to me, “Why don’t you ever…