Writers are often encouraged to produce evergreen content. Evergreen content is universally and continually relevant; it is not limited to a particular event or date. This has been my preference, most of the time. However, I know I am not the only writer who feels concerned that to not write about current events, especially the atrocities going on the world, may seem like we aren’t interested or just don’t care. The truth is, many us care deeply but words are often inadequate.

Words are also coming at us from all over newsfeeds and radio and all sorts of media outlets. Sometimes adding our own thoughts, opinions, or fear feels too obvious, or redundant. At other times, it feels good to express these thoughts, but good for who? Not always good for the reader, the one receiving the onslaught of emotion in black and white. Sometimes we share these words anyway.

But when we don’t, they are often just beneath the surface, crouching behind the words on the page. The compassion, sorrow, disbelief and anger – expression that is hesitant, waiting its turn, if its turn should ever arrive.