Salty like hot dogs (and tears). Sweet like marmalade (and life).
My partner for the ropes course was a cautious woman. She never fell. I, on the other hand, plunged — literally falling three times — quickly through each element. She cautiously walked across the wobbly steps. I just — boom-boom-boom — hastily crossed the… Continue Reading “Step on the Knots”
The other day five men came into the sports center together, one of them spinning a shiny new Spalding basketball between his hands. “Is anyone playing basketball right now?” he asked. “The gym is available,” I said. “I don’t know if anyone is playing… Continue Reading “The Bachelor Party”
There’s more beauty in the truth, even if it’s a dreadful beauty. John Steinbeck, East of Eden I talked to my counselor about East of Eden, telling her how I am being so disciplined about not reading ahead. Seriously, I’m not even flipping a… Continue Reading “Dreadful Beauty”
The time is comewhen the publication of poems is to be like that of pale and very light airborne seeds flowing in the current of forest air through the blue shadows, and falling on the grass where God decrees. I am convinced that we… Continue Reading “A Time of Small Letters”
The first duty of love is to listen. Paul Tillich (Warning: a late-ish post after a long day. My sole New Year’s resolution was to write every day, and, doggone it, I’m not giving up in the first ten days of January!) My son… Continue Reading “Priorities”
“…I want to ask you something. I can’t remember behind the last ugly thing. Was she very beautiful, Samuel?” “To you she was because you built her. I don’t think you ever saw her — only your own creation.” John Steinbeck, East of Eden… Continue Reading “Mid-way Through East of Eden”
Thanksgiving is not a result of perception; thanksgiving is the access to perception. Virginia Stem Owens By taking the time to be grateful, I can melt the icy fingers of fear that squeeze my heart today. Today I am thankful for my neighbors down… Continue Reading “Melting Icy Fingers”
And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry years. It was always that way. John Steinbeck, East of Eden My one New Year’s resolution… Continue Reading “Dry Years”
There are no ugly questions except those clothed in condescension. John Steinbeck, East of Eden “I’m showing you this because I think you want to know. You always ask questions,” my co-worker Michelle said to me the other day. I started a new very… Continue Reading “Questions”
