“My cerebral palsy affects my speech and mobility but not my spirit.” In 12 short words, Arlington Heights resident Esther Lee gives voice to her life’s work: disability law attorney, president of Able Community—a nonprofit housing improving independence for people with disabilities, and writer and creator of poetry with a purpose.
“Common themes of my poetry are home, or longing for home, and belonging, or in most cases not belonging,” Lee shared in an email.
“Common themes of my poetry are home, or longing for home, and belonging, or in most cases not belonging,” Lee shared in an email.
It was a love for writing poetry that led her to explore Writer’s Ink, the library’s monthly meeting for local writers. Lee, who graduated from Thomas Middle School, holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California Davis, School of Law, focusing on civil rights and public interest law. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, having graduated with honors and an emphasis on creative writing.
“I was used to workshopping my poetry with classmates as a rhetoric major in college, but I wasn’t sure what to expect from this group at a public library,” Lee shared. “I was apprehensive (at first), especially being one of the youngest writers there and a poet in a room full of fiction writers. Fortunately, everyone has always been welcoming.”
Lee has been participating in Writer’s Ink for about a year. At a Wednesday evening meet-up, she and seven other aspiring writers gathered with writing coach and facilitator Jacob Knabb around a conference room table to share their latest work. Earlier in the day, Lee had emailed Knabb her poem, “There’s An Elephant Living Upstairs,” so that he could read it aloud to the group for critique. She listened attentively and through a computer-activated voice assistance device asked the group if they thought the ending was ‘too easy or too in your face?’
I like the abruptness of it, “Knabb assured her. “It’s lovely broken into verse, quite perfect in that shape.”
“Jacob always strives to give us feedback to improve our writing,” Esther shared following the meeting. “I haven’t worked with many fiction writers, so I am learning more about narrative and memoirs, as there are a lot of memoirists in the group.”
“Jacob always strives to give us feedback to improve our writing,” Esther shared following the meeting. “I haven’t worked with many fiction writers, so I am learning more about narrative and memoirs, as there are a lot of memoirists in the group.”
“Esther makes them feel a comradery, there’s a certain comfort there,” Knabb added while reflecting on the dynamics of the group. “Her poetry is honest and real and explores topics that allow others in the group to open up.”
Find an upcoming Writer's Ink meeting to join on our calendar.