Author Archives: janishaag

For even during your final summers,the engine of your life literally working its little heart out,could not adequately heat your chilled self, did not warm your hands and feet,kept you swaddled in fleece and warm slippers on the most blazing … Continue reading →

There are few still alivewho remember my little girl hair,which I, of course, cannot recall. Except that my earliest memoriestug like the brush throughunruly ringlets that my mothertried to calm, if not tame. All these years later—after boutsof attempted straightening,even … Continue reading →

(for the participants of the recent Together We Heal retreat in Galt, California) Graceful: Softest light pink, gentlelips that whisper the name of one gone Fierce: darkish brown, these lipsmean business, speak their truth Sophisticated: pinkish with purpleundertones, svelte, out-on-the-town,va-va-voom … Continue reading →

I sat, extended an arm behindme to the roll on the wall, whichspun freely but did not releasethe dangling end that makes it easy to grab and pull and tugoff as many squares as necessary.Instantly, deep in my brain,I heard … Continue reading →

Blue sky perfect,whispers of clouds,fall hinting at its arrivalunder a setting quarter moon, no sign of the predicted coming stormallegedly headed our way this afternoon. Some days are like this.Call it deception or miracle. Walking the neighborhood I call minein … Continue reading →

(for the team of Drain Time plumbers) Luis behind the fridge,Leo in the front bathroom,each using a drill that sings a distinct seriesof notes, rising and fallingin mechanical melody. “It’s the speeds changing,”Luis says, but I hear itas the plumbers’ … Continue reading →

(for Ryan Montgomery on his birthday) You will likely not remember,but it was one of your best linesever, especially clever for your seven-year-old self,who, after I cut your hair, atyour mother’s request, and I asked only for a kissin return, … Continue reading →

When, after nine months gestation,the cat you brought home fromyour mother’s house after she dieddecides that you are, for better or worse,his person— though he still runs when you walkthrough the house, but will come to youwhen you sit on … Continue reading →

(for World Inclusion Day, Oct. 10) Remember that pale blue dot,that tiny speck of light in the darkphotographed by Voyager 1beyond Neptune, some 3.7billion miles from the sun? When mission managersdirected the little spacecraftto turn and look over itsaluminum/titanium shouldertoward … Continue reading →

(for Rebecca) You know, it occurs to methat I haven’t said to you,dear niece, how sorry I am for the passageof your dear mama from lifeinto mystery, feeling my own sorrowswirled with gratitude forthe way she embraced me as she … Continue reading →