Some of us suffer insult after death. Like stammering Uncle Bob, who died of cancer after my wild-eyed sister welcomed him to stay. His chance for a friend, she rebelled against their mad clan of mean drunks, disloyal liars, and butcher-knife siblings shunning him for serving time twice for theft. He painted her portrait with... Continue Reading →

This wound That holds your heart Ransom with pain Resonates out to each of us Who care so deeply For your wellbeing. Promises of light Etch like scratches on A frozen window pane Indistinguishable, inconsolable Inconceivable. Yet we know and we wait For more moments Of filtering light That lingers hope for more than Mere... Continue Reading →

That shifting pile of grains, my lifetime of decisions, leads me here: Too late for “now.” Only “then” and “when” in the toolbox. What to build with that? What to fix? How well have I learned to use these tools? How many scars, misshapen nails along the way? Sitting back is more uncomfortable than I’d... Continue Reading →

Waiting to be released from the ward, I play ping pong with Wesley. We are laughing, I keep missing the ball. I’m surprised at his patience with me. A social worker calls him away, when he returns he’s pale. I see him slide down against the wall, arms wrap around drawn-up knees. His head down,... Continue Reading →

You have the innocence – no doubt about it – and your beauty’s long been welcomed into the orbit of my eyes. And then there’s the simplicity –             the deceptive kind,             like with your docility             (somewhat misleading)... Continue Reading →

Watching together as relatives, friends pass-on        a few whisper, Ger’s      kinder man now than used to be as invincible fellow teenager…               Yesterday I eyed a weary woman housecleaner glancing tearily at tarnished bronze  figurine         which when we bought small cabin looked beyond woodsy expanse from front porch -- before my wife demanded        ... Continue Reading →