Remember daddy, when you made a radio from scratch. A small light yellow box with an open back containing a fascinating array of tubes, wires, and the string with a safety pin dangling down by a thumbtack so we could tap it back to life with a sizzle. I remember the smell of warm tubes … Continue reading Remember Daddy When…
I Am From
I am from a sister sandwich, I’m from the middle, the peanut in peanut butter. From a Navy ship gangway, a mother with two arms and three children and a leash that held me in range. I am from two sisters in silk-lined coffins. I will see you in heaven, Heidi and Debbi. I am … Continue reading I Am From
My Grand Adventure
My fingers gripped the cold metal railing as I peered down at the yawning hole in the most amazing sight I had ever laid eyes on. My stomach tightened and I sucked in my breath. My father stood next to me, his thick wavy black hair rippling, his hands pushed into his pockets. My older … Continue reading My Grand Adventure
Two Cells in One
The Fleshly Cell The cell was as sound-proof as my life had been. I wanted to scream. Maybe someone would hear. But all that came out was the scream of my nightmares. The scream that pulled all of my broiling emotions so tight against my chest that I felt my ribs would crack, but no … Continue reading Two Cells in One
I’m Going Home At Five
I was tagged with a plastic wristband, then wheeled upstairs to a room. After my children left, I was bored and asked if I could walk around with my dangling bag of saline on a pole. They let me walk the halls, but wouldn’t allow me into the waiting room. That night as I listened … Continue reading I’m Going Home At Five
Who Will Take Care of Joey
Who Will Take Care of Joey A few days before the date Dav and I had made to go out for pie, I woke up feeling a little off, so I ate oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast thinking it was just hunger pangs. Then I drove up the hill to Costco for gas, but … Continue reading Who Will Take Care of Joey
Gentlemen May I Serve YOU?
I thrust out my hand to grasp a yellow-stained one I looked deep into eyes filled with blood-red haze Gentlemen, I said, “may I offer you a glass of cold water?” Toothless grins crack wide open face “Why yes mam, yes!" Please sir will you set the table, set it nice, and set it pretty … Continue reading Gentlemen May I Serve YOU?
Pull Off The Street
I glanced in my side-view mirror as a line of police cars and motorcycles tore by me, filling in the left turn lanes as they wove across the wide lanes of Imperial Highway, and a loudspeaker command “Pull off the street, pull off the street now”, filled the cab of my camper truck. My … Continue reading Pull Off The Street
The Birthday Party
My daughter Sarah’s birthday party was going to be a poetry gathering event. On Facebook, all her poetry writer friends and musicians were invited to perform at an open mic. I was the “mom” of these events. I would help her set up and clean up, but most of the food was potluck style. There … Continue reading The Birthday Party
My Haikus
Dandelion Comfortable bed A tiny dandelion Enjoying the thread Dog Unfriendly April A faithful, sticky dog drops Enjoying the tree Smile I don’t like haikus But I will do one for a Smile on someone’s face Heather I think of you in The soft heather of my heart Rest gently tonight Sunlight Into the blue … Continue reading My Haikus