Author Archives: janishaag

(for Kay Duren) Taking a bag to the can on the streetin deep night, having forgotten earlier, I step into shine so radiant thatI could be working on a tan out here. And, marveling at the density of myshadow on … Continue reading →

The gaping mouthsof emptied binstossed on their sides by the big beaststhat have consumedwhat lay inside always look forlorna little lostas those tossed aside always do.

Not even the susurrus of a breezerustling through leaves—all is still by the river. I am late, the early birds,the day’s first walkershaving moved on. I usually take this pathwith another, but on thiscloudy morning, a spit of rain finallyfalling … Continue reading →

They paint the sky with swoopand fall, with pirouette and jeté, bird ribbons synchronizedin a dusky cloud shortly before sunset, perhaps tokeep warm, to whisper where to find food, all inpreparation for sleep. They have no leader;they follow no plan, … Continue reading →

Drops from oak tree just ahead of meon my walk, bounces twice,rolls over to displayits belly. I step over it, peer closely as it joinsits nutty brethren on the groundin this, the falling time,dropping like rain,wondering how many morewill fall. … Continue reading →

When you start to crack open,well, that’s it. Your old stuffstarts leaking out like lavafrom a fresh fissure, hot and messy, and yes,you want to get away fromthat. As if you could.As if you could gather it all back up … Continue reading →

no matter how many autumnsI am given on the planet, that at this late dateroses still bloom in my fair city, sturdy stems laddering theirway to the sky, a lavender bud high on topstarting to unfurl, and, behind it, leaves … Continue reading →

(for Dick Schmidt) After he makes a day tripwith a friend to the coastso she can walk on the beach to clear her head and heart,he returns with your favoritecrab sandwich from the place next door to the place thatmakes … Continue reading →

In those long-ago days,whenever possible, we laybraided like eager wisteriain spring, your leg around mine,mine around yours, requiringno little untangling should one of us want to turn overor rise. And then the otherwould reach out withcome-back hands, and,often without words, … Continue reading →

(for The Burns Sisters) Shelley and three of her four sisters—Susan, Sally and Sherri—sang togetherand began performing as little girls, and The Burns Sisters were born.(The musical act, that is.) As teens,the “vocal darlings” toured in their cute minidresses, and, … Continue reading →