HANDWRITING THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE, PORTLAND, OREGON
18 FEBRUARY 2018 WITH BIJA GUTOFF
"Our group came together the other day
to write the Constitution.
It was Presidents' Day.
It was snowing.
The room was cold;
I kept my coat on.
Outside was hushed,
the day paused as we worked.
I can't remember the last time
I was in a room with other people
writing something deeply meaningful
by hand.
No screens or keyboards in sight.
We had colorful pens and various papers.
This atmosphere we created —
gathered in a borrowed community room,
with copies of our essential founding documents
and writing instruments,
our hands and minds engaged,
talking and quietly writing — felt heartening.
In the work of our hands,
I experienced our seriousness of purpose."
Bija Gutoff