Category Archives: Uncategorized

Scrub

from “Old Stones Understand” – 2021 Shanti Arts LLC. in response to the June 24th Supreme Court Roe v. Wade overturn. At day’s endall over the world,we lather the cloth. Time to removethe makeupthe armorthe magician’s blindfoldthe leatherthe ancient battle-maskthe gunk. Scrub through the fake smilethe nervous twitchthe uncertain glancethe bruisethe poxthe shamethe un-yieldthe unintendedContinue reading “Scrub”

Women’s Day 2022

On Women’s Day –we stand holding up more than half the skyour arms as tired as our fake smilesupon uttering a wish,“Happy international women’s day.”Happy?Too tired for happy. In Americatired of a Senate that won’t pass Women’s Healthcare Actstired of states grabbing for control over women’s bodiestired of arguing why an athlete should be ableContinue reading “Women’s Day 2022”

Matsukaze

Matsukaze                 meaning: pine in the wind (Japanese) I came upon themIn the clearing –An old woman in a puffy coatAnd bright pink hatSurrounded by hemlocks and oaksAnd the swaying stopped my steps. “Matsukaze” she breathed, eyes closed,Arms stretched upAs she stood arms out,Fingers splayed to December airAnd leaned,Just a little,This way then thatLike theContinue reading “Matsukaze”

For Madisyn, Tate, Hana, and Justin

Today, my son, you ate two toasted wafflesas the early light came upoutside our windows.Two waffles and four strawberriessteeped in syrupand as you went off to finishgetting ready for schoolI thought of the four teensshot dead in Michigan,Madisyn, Tate, Hana, Justinand what they had for breakfaston their last morning of school. I thought of theContinue reading “For Madisyn, Tate, Hana, and Justin”

Royal Dragonfly Book Award

This week I learned that “Old Stones Understand” received an honorable mention from the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards in the poetry category! For a first effort, I’m pleased with this recognition for my little collection of poems, and grateful to Shanti Arts Publishing for the nomination. Royal Dragonfly, each year, makes awards across a wideContinue reading “Royal Dragonfly Book Award”

Late November Hope

My shoes celebrate the forest floorweeks ago they crunched the leaves on this pathloud and delectablehomemade potato chips for the feetand today the frozen mud, like clayyielding in its satisfying wayas I move through these trees againasking in each seasonwhether strangers who know your secretsare really strangers at all? The hemlocks know what I wonderasContinue reading “Late November Hope”

Dia De Los Muertos (2009)

In 2009, just after Halloween, I flew to Tucson to be with my dad. His second wife, Lynn, had passed away just a week or so before. The day before my return coincided with the All Souls Procession, a celebration of life that defies description. It really does. It’s a giant, moving party-as-parade that endsContinue reading “Dia De Los Muertos (2009)”

Leaves Let Go

It is not the way of leaves to care about how they fall. It doesn’t matter whether there are heavy, thunder-filled clouds overhead or miles of bright blue and sunshine. A leaf doesn’t cry out in pain if a harsh wind tugs it from its twig nor does it giggle with mischief if it managesContinue reading “Leaves Let Go”