Hello beautiful humans,

I’m Sammie Downing, a writer and reader interested in the stories we tell ourselves about the world and our place in it.

I post infrequently and erratically. You can find me in your inbox on the rare occasion I believe I have something worthy of your invaluable time and attention.

In the words of Mary Oliver:

It has frequently been remarked, about my own writings, that I emphasize the notion of attention. This began simply enough: to see that the way the flicker flies is greatly different from the way the swallow plays in the golden air of summer. It was my pleasure to notice such things, it was a good first step. But later, watching M. when she was taking photographs, and watching her in the darkroom, and no less watching the intensity and openness with which she dealt with friends, and strangers too, taught me what real attention is about. Attention without feeling, I began to learn, is only a report. An openness — an empathy — was necessary if the attention was to matter.

My commitment to you, and to the world, is to never report and try, always, to remain open.

Love,
Sammie