On today’s episode of VS, Ajanae and Brittany interview W.J. Lofton. Join them as they discuss how they handle failure within their process, grief as a form of generosity, queer intimacy, spiritual expansion, and the process of unlearning harmful beliefs.

Until Next Time: 

Here is some media to accompany your experience of the episode and a writing prompt to tide you over until we meet again!

• Danez Smith- 5 things I wish I'd known before I started writing {with Danez Smith}
• Kiese Laymon- Rice’s Kiese Laymon awarded ‘genius grant’ MacArthur Fellowship
• Toni Morrison- From 2004: Toni Morrison on a writer's life
• Imani Perry- Imani Perry: Letter from Home — THE BITTER SOUTHERNER

Writing Prompt:

Considering the relationship between the elegy and ode, write a poem that explores what grief has gifted you.