Stories about how we live present themselves constantly — on the streets of Harlem, New York City and our larger world, from listening to what bothers people, as a result of the nearly invisible role as life observer and musician. Those stories, in turn, raise questions about why and how these situations came into being.

Writing is a way to start conversations, to organize thought and to ask yet more questions. There is something cyclical about the process.

You may like some of these essays or not, but the hope is that they makes you want to write your own.

Copies of my book, Our Journey: A Second Chance, are available at Lulu.com publishing.

Terry Schwadron