Today, I’m sad. I feel a weight in my chest and a general heaviness in my whole body. I just want to lay my head down, stare at the wall, or go to sleep. Of course I know why I’m sad. It’s reasonable to be melancholy when you’ve just lost your only sister, your oldest…
Category: Writing
Poetry Prompt: Good-Bye to My Sister
I see her lying in her hospital bed Dark brown eyes half closed Square jaw tight Can she hear me? I lean close “Hello, Sister.” Her pale lips shift Into a half-smile Her skin is smooth Her body warm Her legs toned From constant walking But I know this body Is hiding the truth That…
Prompt: Edward Weston: Oceana 1939
The sand in the photograph seems to undulate, to move visibly on the paper. Deep furrows of dark curves evenly slicing through the lighter colored sand as if water is flowing, though it is clear from the endless mounds of sand that the photograph is taken in a desert. The title of the photograph is…
Revisited Prompt: Edward Weston Photo: Wrecked Model T
The car looked like a Model T, or what was left of it. It was more rightly, the carcass of a Model T with no wheels or tires, no engine, no seats. Only the body of the old car, rusted, bent, and disheveled, like an old woman with too many miles and too much booze. …
Haiku: My Husband is Back
My husband is back Back to his home and his dog Eating my brownies Half of our marriage From one state to another Coming and going Almost two decades Texas or California Yanking to and fro Country or city Big sky or azure ocean Enticing us both My husband is back Back to his wife…
Haiku: California Daffodils
A field of bright gold Like thousands of caution lights Atop grey green poles Triangular flags Surround fluted golden orbs Shimmer in the breeze Gray skies and storm clouds Winter tree limb silhouettes Swathed in golden cloth
Haiku: Treasures in My Living Room
My grandmother’s lamp Shines bright in our front window Shade of green and red My brother Jim’s lamp Stands between two wingback chairs Pink and green stained glass My brother John’s books Fill a Mission oak stacked case Bound in red and gold A china cabinet From my best friend Patricia Filled with memories A…
Flash Essay: My Lack of Eating Discipline & What I’m Going to Do To Change It
I have a problem with self-discipline, particularly around eating sweets. For example, I made a half batch of English toffee today with honey and butter and by now – 10 o’clock at night – I have eaten every bit of it except for the last piece. That means I have eaten 1/4 cup of butter…
Run, Don’t Walk to This Place if You’re Anywhere Near LA
My daughters gave me gift certificates for several massages for my birthday and today Rachael and Liz took me to the “Oasis Relax Spa Foot Massage” location, where we all three had an hour-long massage for 20 bucks a piece. Yes, that was an HOUR for TWENTY bucks and it wasn’t just a quick slam,…
Flash Prompt: Haiku on Night and Sweet Sleep
Silence surrounds me Night’s chill permeates the air A far-off dog barks My body craves warmth Soft bed and heavy blankets Dreams of summer days Sweet sleep calls to me Restorative night awaits Sunrise pink with hope
20 Minutes a Day 