appalachia
"We are no different than many places in this country. Appalachia is just another unique area of the country where, unfortunately, poverty is wide spread. We are no different than the inland empire of central California, the reservations of the western states or remote native villages of Alaska. Appalachia is like a brand…we are a strong people and have our weaknesses and strengths and someday with hard work and education Appalachia will become an accepted term instead of a stereotyped region."
"For me, Appalachia is like watching a jar of sun tea turn from clear to rust to gold while bees and butterflies flit around it, my feet resting on a displaced engine block and my hands working two knitting needles, making something warm for someone I love."
"Appalachia is like a third-world country where those who control local government end up with all of the wealth and see to it that those with no power are segregated, marginalized, and ignored. Its social institutions just don't work and democracy doesn't have a chance."
METAMIA is a free database of analogy and metaphor. Anyone can contribute or search. The subject matter can be anything. Science is popular, but poetry is encouraged. The goal is to integrate our fluid muses with the stark literalism of a relational database. Metamia is like a girdle for your muses, a cognitive girdle.