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Introspection
Have you ever had to distance yourself from people in your life? I have. It’s not pleasant but sometimes it’s necessary if you want to progress toward a well-defined goal such as being a better spouse or better employee or obtaining your degree or even just having more peace in your life. I’ve been thinking
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The In-Laws’ House
It’s stuffy in there How would I know anything better if I’d never been outside Inside that house darkness smothers out the light I hate even the sheer white curtains in front of the windows The carpet underneath me is artificial It doesn’t feel good to my toes There’s a hint of cigarette smoke, unsuccessfully
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Doctor Plant
Doctor Plant enjoyed working in his yard He liked gardening Things at the office had been hard Revenue was suffering, sales were down He began to believe his office would drown He sat in his yard and watched squirrels scurry He watched the wild rabbits, always in a hurry Weeds were making their way Gumballs,
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Graduation
I jog my usual route I see the large-lettered purple sign out front: “Congrats, Grads – Class of 2023” I remember 18 years ago when that sign was for me There’s loud music coming from down the road An expensive Jeep convertible Two kids in it laughing The lyrics in their song horrible The Jeep
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Pick Up from Daycare
I hear the bark “Awoo-wooo” One door slams There’s a jingle The clunk of another door opening Collar tags and keys mingle The whole time he’s knowing “Huuhhh-huuuhh” – he pants As the door gives way here he comes Lips flapping, teeth borne, a goofy smile worn A golden giant, furry, all fours Scuttles across
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Wedding Albums
There’s something about wedding albums Mine’s already 10 years old Coral flowers, his black tux, my sheer white veil Just like my parents’ from 1981 I’m so glad after all these years they didn’t bail I flip through both A lot of warm faces Gathered round to watch lovers take oath Stained glass, sunlight, bright
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Hydrangea
It sat there unphased Solemn, almost It grabbed my attention in a different sort of way Clouds and wind, a cool breeze on the coast While walking in late spring it felt like October I stopped to look I inched closer It was like blueberries in vanilla ice cream Surrounded by leaves of green Perfect
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Milkshakes
My husband told me today our lives are like milkshakes half gone Maybe just the milk at the bottom It’s startling Like leaves coming off the trees in autumn Is winter on the horizon Our lives could be half over Maybe even less, we don’t know I’m not oblivious But to work, to the beach,
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Beat Yourself
He wanted to beat me It’s why he ran Cordial competition It’s how we began “How long have we been running,” Richard asked 18 minutes, 46 seconds, said the stranger to his left I watched from behind as the two trotted on one leg at a time Nearly two and a half miles in and
writings on life
gremlin fodder 