Author Archives: janishaag

(In memory of Sonya Hunter,July 30, 1941 –Feb. 17, 2026) On my way down H Street to exerciseon a rainy winter morning, my mindconjures summer mornings in my backyard,the heat to come lingering in the still sky,yoga mats spread beneath … Continue reading →

Because, really, when you think about it,you can’t love small if you’re really loving. When you throw your whole heart into it,headfirst off the high dive, it’s big. But then comes the challenge, after the easyfall into warmth, into embracing … Continue reading →

Apologies have been made,plenty of mea culpas, some on our knees, though asking for forgiveness, it’s said,is selfish—it’s up to the one who has been wronged to decide, not the wrong-doer.Time to stop the self-flagellation, go outside, take a walk, … Continue reading →

At their advanced age, my teeth haveachieved ideal occlusion, the uppersslightly overlapping the lowers, as well as interdigitation—the cuspsof the upper molars fitting preciselyinto the grooves of the lower molars, thanks to a series of teeth-shapedaligners that have hugged myoverbite … Continue reading →

Your body will remember how to softenwhen it needs to. When the time comes that there is no time,when you become boneless, your spine melting into gel before slippinginto the ether. This kind of love might feel familiar,if you have … Continue reading →

(for Dick Schmidt on his 83rd birthday) In February the setting sunat just the right angle with enoughsnowmelt can sizzle Horsetail Falls into a fiery swath of pseudo lavacascading down El Capitan. Thoughwe’ve often stood in that meadow looking up … Continue reading →

The invitation comes:Close your eyes to breathe,to arrive, as Buddhist monks, step by step, walk into thenation’s capital 110 days aftersetting out on their 2,300-mile journey for peace. Some daysI wish that I had not arrivedat this too-tender spot, my … Continue reading →

Though they appear spontaneousto onlookers, pop-up music happeningsrequire a fair amount of planningand set-up. Music stands and sound equipment, tympani,euphoniums and baritone saxesmust be transported across campusto the library—a lot of work for a mini concert by a jazz bandand … Continue reading →

I am like every boy kid whoraces outside when he hearsa siren, hoping to catch a glimpseof the huge red truck zooming by. Though in my case, I am a bonafideoldster who leapt up from the computerlike a much younger … Continue reading →

(In memory of Margery Thompson) On the last day, before your daughterturned your house over to people whowould go through every drawer, as we had, pull out everything saleablefrom closets and cupboards, assignvalue to each item, then donate or throw … Continue reading →