Alek Haak-Frost: The Truth Giving Tree
Executive Editor Alek Haak-Frost shares a poem he wrote titled “The Truth Giving Tree,” in honor of Watershed Voice’s 2025 NewsMatch campaign.

Since making my debut at the 2025 Watershed Voice Artist Showcase, I’ve written and performed 10 pieces of poetry at the Three Rivers open mic. It’s served as a creative outlet outside of the work we do here at Watershed Voice, and a space where I can express myself and my feelings, things I put aside when reporting the news.
We’ve published plenty of poetry since 2020 but this will be the first time I’ve shared a piece of my own. I’m doing so because with just over two weeks left in our NewsMatch campaign, we’ve raised $5,585 but are still woefully shy of our $15,000 goal. A one-time donation or monthly donation will never have more impact than it will now, as all one-time donations up to $1,000 will be matched through December 31, and a monthly donation created now will be matched 12 times.
The piece you’re about to read is called “The Truth Giving Tree,” a poem I wrote about Watershed Voice and our constant struggle to garner sustained support from the community we call home. We’re so grateful for those who invest in our work, and we hope more will join you this giving season.
Help us keep delivering independent, fact-based reporting for years to come with a donation today.

The Truth Giving Tree
I’ve laid down roots in a town I never really chose, built a brand and reputation everybody knows.
But if I can’t count on your support when it really matters, how’s this blue surprise cypress supposed to grow?
There’s a need here, a need we’ve met time and time again.
Always providing the who, what, where, why and when.
But you don’t think you need it because Facebook told you some version of the truth,
killing fact-based reporting with your apathy like John Wilkes Booth.
Forget that my pen painted a more accurate picture, my words and observations woven like a tapestry.
15 years in this business, more than the 10,000 hours required for mastery.
A recorder of the present, a keeper of the past.
But when I die, it dies, then what will you say at the mass?
“We didn’t know what we had until it was gone,” “I wish we had done better,”
a publication worth supporting, a service worth saving.
Too bad we didn’t listen when asked, dismissing his pleas as ranting and raving.
But there’s still time, it’s not dead yet.
While sustainability remains elusive, this call to action doesn’t have to pass by unmet.
Be the change you seek, be the reason we succeed.
Save the blue surprise cypress, protect the truth giving tree.
Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor, publisher, and founder of Watershed Voice.
