CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Making Community

July 16, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

From the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary, Sixth Edition: “Community- 7; social intercourse; communion; fellowship, sense of common identity.’ I am a tenor voice in Harmony Collected, a choral group organized by the Irvington Arts Collective. Dr. Webb Parker, the founding artistic and executive director of the group, will often have … Read More

Good Vibes

July 9, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

My friend told me that she had responded to a notification about a house concert that was going to feature one of the musicians that we follow. Paula Nicewanger, co-owner of this publication, said that she included me in the invitation. On Monday, June 29th, we went to a Clear … Read More

Big Game Hunter

July 2, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

I was startled into an impromptu Capoeira dance, whirling and slapping at my face and arms, as if trying to put out little brush fires. A moth had attacked me. It did not live to tell its friends of my demonstration of fear. I stood over the crushed body and … Read More

Songs Flung Out

June 25, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

Early in the evening of June 15th, 2026, I was walking West on 9th St. between N. Hawthorne and Emerson Ave.; I saw a woman on the ground at the side of her yard, doing something gardening-wise. As I got closer to the house a young face popped into view … Read More

Impossible Dreams (Two)

June 18, 2026 | by CJ Woods III

In May 1969, the R & B group “The Temptations” appeared on the Ed Sullivan show and sang a song that became a theme for me and the woman I would marry in July of that same year. “The Impossible Dream” was composed by Mitch Leah, with lyrics written by … Read More