Author Archives: janishaag

The tagline on the email grabs me, along withthe first sentence (as a good lead should): First, it races away unstoppably—then it seems to stand still. And I read, my own engine picking up speed,that our heartbeats can cause the … Continue reading →

The oldest of us—the great-grandma onher 92nd birthday— holds the youngest of us—the great-grandson—3 weeks old to the very day, on a perfect July evening undera sheltering oak older than any of us, the great aunt taking a turnin between … Continue reading →

For Mom on her 92nd birthday ••• There are always flowers for those who want to see them.—Henri Matisse So many times after I pull into your driveway,walk through the garage and up the threesteps into the house, you’ll announce, … Continue reading →

Fourth of July, River Park As kids whiz by on their bicycles,streamers floating from handlebarslike birds, like dreams,grown-ups walking slowly behind,heading for the parade that windsthrough the neighborhood,we oldies exercise as we doweekly on Marilyn’s lawn. We’re seeing more humanity,along … Continue reading →

we were twosticks rubbing,creating heatthat 4th ,igniting sparkswhile far-awayflames dancedover serenehills, charringgolden grasses,blackening trunksof venerable oaks a fortnight laterI came to that landswept clean,all of usstarting over—you & me,oaks & grasses,finding our wayinto a fresh worldripened byheat & light&, yes,love

Walk around feeling like a leaf.Know you could tumble any second.Then decide what to do with your time. —Naomi Shihab Nye from “The Art of Disappearing” ••• And they did.She did. He did.Tumbled into gone-ness.Leaving us heart-heavy.Leaving us. Leavingas the … Continue reading →

Sculling faceup in the pool,the increasing moon climbingheavily into the sky, I float under dozens anchoredhigh in the trees, like a flockof white doves stilled by sleep, not a coo from any of them,guardians observing my slowlaps. Or are they … Continue reading →

I awaken with a headache—not unusual as the pressure rises—when the H on the weather mapsmeans high, which we all feel, including the cats, who, despite allthat fur, morph into feline lizards,typically flopping onto too-hot cement,sponging up sun. But today, … Continue reading →

In memory of Ruth Rita Nelson Every year you’d send me a cardaimed to arrive on the 30th of June, rosy with floral sentiment and yourfamiliar signature, Love, Mom II, because you took it upon yourselfto mother the new girl … Continue reading →

for RDS On the same day I’m given a dummy typewriter—tin, hollow inside, perhaps a movie prop—from a long-ago student who has neverforgotten my affection for old-fashionedtyping machines, you and I head for the fancy computer storenamed for a fruit … Continue reading →