Author Archives: janishaag

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!

(for Mother) In all the boxes of papersI brought home from your office,the files, the transcripts, the articles, folders upon folders of courseworkover decades of continuing education,you have left subtle messages a year and a half past your expirationdate. I … Continue reading →

(Story and illustrations by Janis Haag, age 7) ••• This treasure was stored in a box in the rafters of my parents’ garage—along with many other writings by a budding author—recently found by my sister and brother-in-law clearing that area. … Continue reading →

Light will movethrough broken placessoften the edgesof empty spaces —Julie Flanders ••• Ma, I’m glad you’re not here to seeyour baby car partially unclothed,its innards exposed in a fenced parking lot on a city alley.It was, I thought, a small … Continue reading →

Listen, there’s no reason at all. Ask anyone.No one reads poetry. Who can understand it? And rich. Ha! Likely won’t earn you a dime.You’re writing for an audience of one: You. Which turns out is exactly what’s meant to be.The … Continue reading →

Sundae, July 19, 2026 Another reason to love July,though I don’t need one, giventhat it’s my favorite month, the one I looked forward to all year—summer vacation, no school,pool time, water skiing on the lake in the state park next … Continue reading →

Really, I just wanted flowers, but as Icruised the nursery—my antenna pickingup not-so-subtle messages from mylong-gone, veggie-growing husband—I felt compelled to adopt one small tomatoplant and a leafy, wanna-be cucumber,neither showing signs of food to come. “What do I need … Continue reading →

After lunch with a friend,walking home solo on what promisesto be a 100-degree day, you pause undera Chinese pistache shading the sidewalkand look up. Under the sign restricting parkingtowers a bit of all-caps encouragement:BEGIN It does not matter what needs … Continue reading →

Yeah, you two!I don’t care if he’s your brother—you can’t shove him into the pool.No, you can’t shove anyone into the pool.No, you can’t dunk him andhold him under either.I don’t care that he ate yourcookie. No, you can’t blow … Continue reading →

Dick Schmidt (guest poet) It’s always the right temperaturewhen you want to take a nap.