You’ve probably heard the Mary Oliver poem with the line “what is it you plan to do/with your one wild and precious life?” If not, go read it, it’s great. I’ve heard folk say that question feels heavy, like there’s a right answer, or like there’s judgment that they’re not taking seriously how wild and precious their life is. I suppose it is a heavy question, or at least a big one, but I don’t think it’s an accusing one. Oliver answers her own question in the body of the poem, as she describes in detail the grasshopper that is sitting on her hand and paying attention to the grass as she takes a walk.

What should we do with our lives? Pay attention, appreciate beauty.

In a lot of ways, that’s what Pride is about—it did indeed start as a protest, as a riot, but it had to because the LGBTQ people of our past were not being allowed to appreciate beauty, were not legally able to experience their lives as wild and precious. (Of course, they did, even without permission, but you know what I mean.)

To be able to appreciate beauty—whatever that means to you—and to choose how you will do so, this is a gift. There is a lot of beauty in humans opening themselves up to new ideas and experiences, to pushing back on things that keep people from being free. And, of course, there is a lot of beauty in board games (I just bought a copy of Flower Fields simply because it is beautiful) and in the communal aspect of playing them.

Alice C, board game librarian

Play some of our favorites!

We asked some of our LGBTQ staff what their favorite games in the library are and here’s what they said:

Courtisans—a market-manipulation card game disguised as a charming royal banquet. Families who are well-represented at the queen’s table will score players points while families in disrepute will lose points. (Alexis)
Moose Master—a silly card game where players tell stories or speak in rhyme, among other things, but must follow rules like never use the word “no” or refer to anyone by their first name (A)
Scopa—traditional Italian card game played with a special deck, players try to capture the most cards, cards from the trump suit, or capture all the cards on the table. It’s fast and a little mean and good for socializing. (Cole Finley)
Stellar—a thinky 2-player card game where players maximize points with careful placement of their two cards per turn, plus truly gorgeous interplanetary art (Alice)
Love Letter—“a game of risk, deduction, and luck” according to the listing on Board Game Geek. Everyone want’s to woo the princess with a love letter, but who will end each round with the high card or simply survive? (TeeJay)

Try our new cocktail Amanda Sue Glitter Shot

Vodka, blueberry simple syrup, and lemon juice, plus edible glitter. She’s been described by patrons as a Lemon Drop as a shot—with a surprise gummy bear at the bottom! She’s inspired by one of the drag performers Amanda Sue who will be with us for Drag Brunch on June 22.

Play some Courtisans or Scopa and enjoy Amanda Sue’s Glitter Shot, or one of our other Drag-Brunch-inspired cocktails!