Author Archives: janishaag

Bainbridge Island, Halloween 2014 (for Georgann) ••• He sees the path in the wall of greenbefore I do, veers onto it, and atthe other end of the leash, I say:She takes you here, doesn’t she? Or perhaps it’s the other … Continue reading →

You are a part of me I do not yet know.—Valerie Kaur ••• Hope begins with understanding—or, at least, the willingness to listen, understanding that understandingmay come later—or not— but in listening, truly listening,setting aside our uniquely human tendency to … Continue reading →

They’re the same age,my fella and this prez, rocking a similar snowyfringe and kind blue eyes— not to mention the classicpublic-service-is cool aviators. My fella (an old newsdog whophotographed a prez or eight in his long career) says he can’timagine … Continue reading →

It turns out thatwildebeests are gnus, andgnus are wildebeests, great, hairy African antelopesresembling muscular cows withcurved horns, but wearing bushybeards and manes accenting theircharcoal-striped outfits thatcollectively makes a wildebeesta gnu. And vice versa. That improbable combinationof body parts prompted awordsmithing … Continue reading →

(for Deborah Meltvedt—happy birthday!) ••• They keep coming back,the ones we thought vanished— the persistent tiny violas,the Johnny Jump-Ups, the hollyhocks—which,after the flowers wilt to folded umbrellas, muchas they started—we cut within an inch of the earthfrom which they rose. … Continue reading →

Michael Collins kept the bus idlingwhile the two other astronauts gotto walk on the moon, and though Collins said he didn’t mind,as much as the world focused onArmstrong and Aldrin stamping the moon forever with theirEarthling footprints, I, about toturn … Continue reading →

Once a dozen oaks lived on this thirdof an acre. Only four survive, the otherswatered to death in favor of grassfor little girls to play on. My parents had no idea that theywere killing the great valley oaks—quercus lobata—including my … Continue reading →

She steps carefullyinto the pool, dons hermask and snorkel, makes her way to her lane,puts her head down and doesnot lift it for 30 minutes, as I, in the next lane, breaststroke and scull headfirst,then feetfirst, overarm it into a … Continue reading →

Well, 😈🔥!How did we survive beforewe could communicate withteeny illustrations, beforethe word “emoticon” enteredour vocabularies, along with💜😵‍💫💋👩‍🦱🐱🦆✏️🎯🍅☀️? Back in our day, kids,we old folks had to make dowith only the symbols on a typewriter(for which, sadly, there is no emoji)keyboard … Continue reading →

Little soft animal of your bodyresting after the flight from danger,dented and dinged in unseen ways, I pick up your trembling formfrom the hiding place you foundin the neighbor’s sheltering greenery, cuddle you, whisper, You’re safe,I’m here, I’m so sorry … Continue reading →