As I get older, I am increasingly satisfied with simple gifts for birthdays and holidays, and often, none at all. There’s nothing I really need and I’ve no list of “have-to-haves”. This book of Nikki Giovanni’s poems is my holiday gift and it made me happy. I got it for myself. Somehow, I knew just … [read more]
Empty pockets
a clock ticks juniper branches scratch my house shadows cross oak floors Rohatsu week begins now my pockets are full of self portraits old grudges future fears lists of what I like and loathe I notice these and overlook the ticking clock, the scratching branch, and the dancing light remove one thing at a time … [read more]
Monsoon
the creatures and me eyes wide, noses to the wind dreaming of cool rain July This time of the year is spectacular where I live at 7,120 feet elevation, 40 degrees north latitude, 105 west, on the east facing slopes of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, just below the Continental Divide. Small arroyos and larger … [read more]
Pray for peace
August 2, 2024 Tuesday, we memorialize the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945, and on Friday we remember Nagasaki. Between 129,000 and 226,000 Japanese died, mostly civilians. Imagine not being able to be precise about the deaths of 100,000 people, the population of my town? So much suffering and human loss. What can be said … [read more]
Soothe
Caitriona Balfe, Buddy’s Ma An assassination attempt two days ago. A political convention today where some of the most draconian plans are being seriously considered. A good leader stumbling publicly. Record heat. Wildfires. Though I was born in the final two weeks of the Truman administration, I was a Kennedy kid. That world would last … [read more]
Memory revisited
Image: Alex Dukhanov John died over eight years ago, but listening to REM brought him back to life last week. I leaked like an old faucet hearing his voice. I remember the specific details of Megan’s, Athena’s, and Ian’s birth days vividly, along with foods we ate, midwives’ names and times of day. As well, … [read more]
