Author Archives: janishaag

It’s been a minute, I say.Or rather, I think. Or whateverone does in dreams. Or maybe not even a dream,but that funky, can’t-open-the-eyesalpha state when something propels me to the thronewhere the sleepy cat walks inwanting a pat. What minute? … Continue reading →

When people ask me if a poem has to rhyme, I usually tell them, no, of course not. A poem can have what’s called “end rhyme” (when words at the ends of lines rhyme with other lines, often changing rhyme … Continue reading →

There’s so much that is not,nevermore, maybe never was,but there is this: the pale blue house next door to yourstransformed in a single day tomimic a flourishing morning glory, purple-y purple in shade, a colorthat pops the eye and promptsa … Continue reading →

(or How Guys Say They Love You, #5076) Busy Friday. He had to see me.Had something for me.Nope, it couldn’t wait. So he arrived, pulling a near-perfect specimen of peachfrom a paper bag, accompanied, as is his way,by printed documentationabout … Continue reading →

noun: A solitary wanderer I think of you when I learn this wordfor a solitary wanderer, for onewho hikes alone— though your routes often find youon familiar trails, though you sometimeshave company on your sojourns. But you’ve covered so many … Continue reading →

Before I heard the news, on my wayhome from Tuesday morning exercise,I drove by the cemetery and turned in, not really thinking that I’d pay you a visit.But something steered me to the curbjust inside the gate, propelled me out … Continue reading →

became your favorite phrase,especially when you two traveledthe world, strangers showing upto guide you, she, driving, preferring to get lost,to happen upon the happenstance,you, capable co-pilot, navigating. This is how it is with best friends,women who understand each other,particularly the … Continue reading →

Near the end of the moneyshe gives a dollar to the manon the corner with a signasking politely, and, returning to her car,silver on the groundwinks at her. She picks it up,richer.

When did she tuck it away withthe pink jacket and hat? And didGrandma and Grandpa buy itfor their first granddaughter? It seems like the ancestor ofevery frilly dress they boughtfor us two girls with ruffledpetticoats, though all that remains is … Continue reading →

Not only the planet, ravaged as it isby humanity since humans firststalked the joint like they owned it,lording their two-footednessover all others, but also the ubiquitous five-and-dimesvanished in the waning momentsof the last century, birds that used toreliably sing the … Continue reading →