Category Archives: Uncategorized

You turned over your baby car to meso I could drive you on Thursdays—and me on all other days— a half century after you sat in anotherpassenger seat as I, with my learner’s permit,mangled the clutch on your Toyota. To … Continue reading →

Why not? They look good purple.Maybe magenta, too. Taking away the purple crayonwas just mean. I’m sorry she did that to you.Here’s your purple crayon. And while we’re at it, let’s get outthe periwinkle one, too. Ooo, and the boysenberry, … Continue reading →

They perform this act of sharingevery summer—people bringingbags and baskets of tomatoes, sending them around the sanctuaryin bowls with tongs, encouragingthis one to offer the vessel of fruit to the next one. And I hold the littleround red bit of … Continue reading →

It can’t be anything buta universal day of wonder, as they all are, simply becauseyou’re in it. (Yes, you.)

(with apologies to the great songwriter/poet Paul Simon) In a coupla days they gonna take it awaymy mama’s boo-boo’d Elantra.I’m sad about the loss,but my friend rushes in.We was all on the way to see cars. We were on our … Continue reading →

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 →