When the Republicans lost in 1939 or Pinochet seized Chile in '73, entire families were scattered into exile. Their side was defeated; they fled. But what of those of us who escape exile, for better or worse? Luckily, we can still find community in a lost vision of a shared future, and a shared vision of a lost future: national, local, and/or personal.

I found Prose.

I entered a number of challenges and managed to win a few.

To be exact, mine was the only entry in most. But a win is still a win.

I tried to get some of my entries published in serious literary magazines.

I have in excess of 500 “politely worded” rejections for my efforts.

I have exactly 3 successes for my efforts.

I have not stopped trying.

I have asked 22 of my students to establish Prose accounts to better their writing.

By my last count, 17 still have active accounts on Prose.

I have personally met 3 Prose members while traveling.

Funny, because I used to work for 2 of them and I didn’t know they used Prose.

For all I have read in 2017 about Prose, for good and bad,

I know I am better for being part of the Prose community.

Thanks - Andy Betz.

Exhaustion conviction

Separation from addiction

Tumultuous decision

Compulsively poor

Financial planning

May lead to eviction

Honest examination

Serenity precision

Solitude my vision

Loneliness my objection

Inner peace my aim's direction

Soul searching my obsession

Vocation in question

Life of gusto my predilection

Writing, no correction

Currently late for my counseling session!