Work is a given for most of us. Each day is dedicated to shaping the world, typically in concert with others to derive our sustenance, the necessary energy to feed, clothe, and shelter our organism. That is my basic definition of work. Yet, this essential dimension of life is not nearly so simple. Within…
A good friend recently said to me, “at least there is a chance that the president will put a stop to the ‘politics as usual’ that is no longer working for us.” That is not the first time I’ve heard a similar statement of hope/faith/superstition. This non sequitur is offered dead pan, or with…
I was neither at the hot gates Nor fought in the warm rain Nor knee deep in the salt marsh, heaving a cutlass, Bitten by flies, fought. —-Gerontion by T. S. Eliot No, I did not fight alongside Leonidas. But I read three poems. I was invited to attend an evening of music and…
I woke to an intensely bright day, strong gusts bend the trees. I understand that the central States further west are in the path of dangerous storms today. Life is such a combination of light, life, and hazard. I read several poems this morning, poems that I have chosen to read tomorrow evening at…
I can think of nothing more beneficent, the image of a possible world than that of two foxes that I recently observed. The two animals represent for me a ideal state of being. A full-on tactile awareness of life, one’s own and that of the surrounding environment. Foxes do not use words. Their manner…
I walked across the parking lot at 7AM, a sunlit morning in May. A silver corvette was parked in the center of two parking spaces. As I walked by a young female approached the passengers side of the vehicle with coffee for two. A young male waited in the drivers side, his baseball cap…
Thursday is without rain, at least not yet. This morning my sister came to mind. I spoke with her by phone yesterday, understanding with difficulty her speech. She has battled schizophrenia and diabetes for her entire adult life. Today she expects to meet with a surgeon. She is in pain due to an infection…
Love should not be written in stone but written in water. –Cattulus Very little is objectively known of the life of Gaius Valerius Catullus. It is believed that he was born in Verona in 84 B.C. to a wealthy and well-connected family. Catullus’ father was a friend of Julius Caesar. He died in Rome…
This poem was delivered yesterday via email. I recommend Poem-A-Day for exposure to a variety of poets, and as a form of therapy to counter the negativity that surrounds us. Deception Story by Solmaz Sharif Friends describe my DISPOSITION as stoic. Like a dead fish, an ex said. DISTANCE is a funny drug and…
I have a tattered paperback copy of Beyond Good and Evil in my briefcase. Its longevity is extended by a strip of silver duck tape long the spine. The frayed edges of the cover are protected by clear vinyl tape. The book was purchased when I was in college, and I am now rereading…
