Not the band. As in Motley Crue. I’m talking about the motley crew defined as: a gathered group of people of various backgrounds, appearance, character, etc. I sip Diet Coke with such a group once a month at the Solid Rock Cafe. (I’ve mentioned them before.) We are members of a writers group sponsored by our local Christian College. And we personify motley.

The college janitor sits with his binder of hand-written poems beside the geek with a fantasy trilogy growing on his ipad. The prophet/preacher shares table space with a recent widow. He’s developing a teaching series. She is processing grief through essays.

And amazing things are happening. Like the retired veterinarian who sometimes forgets his hearing aids and just smiles and nods through meetings. Multiple health issues have forced him out of his profession and even out of his garden. He’s been searching for things to occupy his time. But one day he thought, “I wonder what world history would look like from an angel’s perspective?” And a Work-in-Progress was born.

At our last meeting, he told me, “Some mornings now I wake up and story ideas are just racing through my mind.”

In literature and art motley crews often overcome adversity together and save the day by using their varied gifts, talents, styles, and personalities. (Think Robin Hood’s men.) I’m still not sure what this particular crew is going to accomplish. Maybe nothing earth-shaking. But we are having a great time trying. And, I’m pretty sure someone will write poems about it all.