Marilyn Chambron hasn’t always considered herself a writer. But she recently discovered that “writers write, and I write.”
One day, the loss, grief, pain, and suffering were too overwhelming, and she found a release in writing.
Marilyn believes we have discovered things about ourselves during the pandemic and looks forward to growth. “I’m hopeful that we will use these discoveries not only to change who we are but our communities and maybe even the world.”
Originally from East St. Louis, Illinois, Marilyn attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana before moving to Denver - the furthest she had ever been from home. Marilyn worked in financial services for most of her career as a plan manager and has done missionary work in Russia, Laos, Thailand and Mexico.
With the pandemic came a new opportunity to connect with others.
"Writing was something I always wanted to do but never took time to," Marilyn said. "This pandemic made certain that I had the time to just be."
"I feel that most of the poetry I have written during this time is quite dark. There has been so much loss, grief, pain and suffering that it is almost overwhelming. I’m pleased to be able to share my work with others in the hopes my words help give voice to what they may also be feeling."
RMPBS: Writing the Pandemic
Innocence
Marilyn Chambron
Innocence
Misty light filters through dark rooms
Filled to capacity with gloom
Gloom that reflects reality
Hope swallowed by finality
Finality that covered the land
Which echoed where justice did stand
Standing as a beacon of light
Guides travelers weary from flight
Flight to find quiet solitude
Innocence born of fortitude
Fortitude to press through the miles
Find a place among all the piles
Piles of broken bodies and fractured dreams
Not rooms, but cells, to shatter self-esteem
Community stories from across Colorado and updates on your favorite PBS programs, in your inbox every Tuesday.
