Author Archives: janishaag

(In memory of the sprinklerking, our father, Roger, who artin heaven, born this day in 1930.) Did you hear my prayers, Daddy,as Donna knelt in supplication inmy front yard, her capable handsmanipulating the plastic bitsthat pass for sprinklers these days? … Continue reading →

Cut it open, reveal itspure heart, and you seein that dripping watermelon center how aptly it is named.And though its label promises“seedless,” you spot the pale seedlets dotting the interiorlike little buttons. No blackseeds, but, of course, it has to … Continue reading →

(for all of you) If I tell you that this window looked outon a place of extreme beauty,you might understand itssentiment: Forever thankfulAlways gratefulAbundantly blessed But if I tell you that this windowalso looked out on an isolatedpeninsula where people … Continue reading →

I rise as three planetsparade through the summer skyunder the ginormous Buck Moon creeping slowly up the southeasternhorizon, much as a young male deermight peer through the brush, The Anishinaabe call this onethe Berry Moon, while the Abenakithink of it … Continue reading →

You turned over your baby car to meso I could drive you on Thursdays—and me on all other days— a half century after you sat in anotherpassenger seat as I, with my learner’s permit,mangled the clutch on your Toyota. To … Continue reading →

Why not? They look good purple.Maybe magenta, too. Taking away the purple crayonwas just mean. I’m sorry she did that to you.Here’s your purple crayon. And while we’re at it, let’s get outthe periwinkle one, too. Ooo, and the boysenberry, … Continue reading →

They perform this act of sharingevery summer—people bringingbags and baskets of tomatoes, sending them around the sanctuaryin bowls with tongs, encouragingthis one to offer the vessel of fruit to the next one. And I hold the littleround red bit of … Continue reading →

It can’t be anything buta universal day of wonder, as they all are, simply becauseyou’re in it. (Yes, you.)

(with apologies to the great songwriter/poet Paul Simon) In a coupla days they gonna take it awaymy mama’s boo-boo’d Elantra.I’m sad about the loss,but my friend rushes in.We was all on the way to see cars. We were on our … Continue reading →

A short story by Janis Haag, age 8, found in an old box labeled “Janis school papers” in the rafters of her parents’ garage. Thanks to Donna and Eric Just for retrieving it!