Author Archives: janishaag

I looked it up: 33% to 42% of peoplegive nicknames to their cars, with40% of younger drivers doing so. We Boomers not so much. Exceptthat I have three close female friendsin my age group who’ve named their rides—all quite cleverly. … Continue reading →

We are all ancestors in training.—Francis Weller Whaddya mean, you didn’t know there was a class?The whole freepin’ thing’s a class, for heaven’s sake. And we do mean “for heaven’s sake.” That’s why you’re here.On Earth. In a body. You’re … Continue reading →

I knew I’d been losing them for years,dropping them like fall leaves hereand there, there and here. But I never imagined they’d appearin the little square cigar box that long agosat in my closet with other childhood belongings, consigned by … Continue reading →

Ripe and ready, one of her offspringwears a scar, which is not surprising. Even the young among us acquireboo-boos, which, if we are lucky, heal nicely as our growing selveslengthen and thicken. The early scars are joined by later ones,just … Continue reading →

To be reminded who we’re meantto be, stand here still. Look up. —Kim Stafford, from “Bright Dark Sky” ••• We are meant to be vast, like the sky,why birds draw our eyes upward, why trees’ long limbs and great heightdo, … Continue reading →

(In memory of Georgann TurnerMarch 1, 1951–August 17, 2021) Decades ago, when I first heard yousay this, it had not yet morphed intocliché, inscribed on rocks and plaquesand pendants, something grownupssay to children or lovers to each other: “Love you … Continue reading →

Which sounds related to crows,as in “corvid,” which they are in a way,carved stone supports projecting from walls to support weight, oftencolossal weight of great structures—likecathedrals’ massive arches and beams. A corb in old French was a raven, andcorbels resembled … Continue reading →

Never doubt that they remain with us,the elders keeping watch, time-traveling sentinels standingguard, offering silent protection, their heartstones testament totheir mission: keeping us safe. That they occasionally makeappearances, shimmering into physical form pleases uswhen we behold them, these temporal voyagerswho … Continue reading →

It is time to remember the unfolding,To remember the river comes to me.—Meg Kaczyk, from “Still, Life” ••• I am one of the folded—like an accordion,both instrument and file, the bright yellow origami boxfolded by a retired engineering professorthat sat … Continue reading →

(in memory of Margery Thompson) And now, on the brink of the first birthdayyou are not with us, rather than think about that, or your finalbirthday barely two weeks before you lifted off, surely, into the heavenyou imagined, I stumble … Continue reading →