Category Archives: Uncategorized
Persistent
A tiny frogin the back yardpipes up daysafter rain has lefta puddle in the grass, hoarse, croaky,perhaps strugglingwith a… you know…in its wee throat, imitating, it seems to me,a persistent squeak of shoeor complaining floorboard— not unlike a human-sizedinflatable frog … Continue reading
Give me a word
That remembers something old—Earth A word from what you are harvesting now—Gratitude One that a bird might say—Joy Give me a word that wants to be repeated—Kindness One that feels like an embrace—Hug Give me a word that feels likekindling … Continue reading
You do not have to endure another winter
For even during your final summers,the engine of your life literally working its little heart out,could not adequately heat your chilled self, did not warm your hands and feet,kept you swaddled in fleece and warm slippers on the most blazing … Continue reading
Ringlets
There are few still alivewho remember my little girl hair,which I, of course, cannot recall. Except that my earliest memoriestug like the brush throughunruly ringlets that my mothertried to calm, if not tame. All these years later—after boutsof attempted straightening,even … Continue reading
Stages of grief in lipstick colors
(for the participants of the recent Together We Heal retreat in Galt, California) Graceful: Softest light pink, gentlelips that whisper the name of one gone Fierce: darkish brown, these lipsmean business, speak their truth Sophisticated: pinkish with purpleundertones, svelte, out-on-the-town,va-va-voom … Continue reading
Upside down
I sat, extended an arm behindme to the roll on the wall, whichspun freely but did not releasethe dangling end that makes it easy to grab and pull and tugoff as many squares as necessary.Instantly, deep in my brain,I heard … Continue reading
Then again, some days are like this
Blue sky perfect,whispers of clouds,fall hinting at its arrivalunder a setting quarter moon, no sign of the predicted coming stormallegedly headed our way this afternoon. Some days are like this.Call it deception or miracle. Walking the neighborhood I call minein … Continue reading
Harmonious drills
(for the team of Drain Time plumbers) Luis behind the fridge,Leo in the front bathroom,each using a drill that sings a distinct seriesof notes, rising and fallingin mechanical melody. “It’s the speeds changing,”Luis says, but I hear itas the plumbers’ … Continue reading
Penny or a kiss
(for Ryan Montgomery on his birthday) You will likely not remember,but it was one of your best linesever, especially clever for your seven-year-old self,who, after I cut your hair, atyour mother’s request, and I asked only for a kissin return, … Continue reading
Chosen
When, after nine months gestation,the cat you brought home fromyour mother’s house after she dieddecides that you are, for better or worse,his person— though he still runs when you walkthrough the house, but will come to youwhen you sit on … Continue reading
