writings on life

December 15, 2022

Death to Life

Is this the age at which calls and texts make me shudder Seems to be the case – increasingly so At least via text my friends can’t stutter My heart fluttered today as one came through Have you heard?, it said I wait for the truth Hoping another’s not dead Turns out life support this…
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December 13, 2022

Flu Shot

Do you want a flu shot? Sure you had a reaction 30 years ago – it made you ill Your mom never had one You say they’re made to kill And with a sore arm you can’t have any fun Anyway, you think it’s a conspiracy It’ll cause cancer You think as you light your…
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December 11, 2022

Solo

Sometimes – no, almost all the time, I’d like to just be alone Solitary, solo It wouldn’t be scary I could blast the heat Get off my feet Open the blinds, or close them Light a candle Leave my clothes on the floor Do whatever I want in my own retreat One day I woke…
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December 9, 2022

The Doctor’s Office

Belinda’s knees ached as she walked toward the office She slid on the ice Thinking it couldn’t get worse than this Her hips waddled as her feet lost their grip She reached out for something but nothing was there So she slipped Of course she landed on her bad knee Aretha walked up and said…
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December 7, 2022

Tempus Fugit

Tick-tock The sound drives me mad In the middle of the night when I can’t sleep I hear it Its blessings and curses I reap Sheeewww Outside among the leaves I see it In old pictures In my husband’s face In our joints The little kid in the yard next door All the argued points…
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December 5, 2022

Race Media

One of my favorite things about racing (running) is race photos. Looking at race photos is me and my husband’s form of Facebook, since we don’t have social media. We like to spend a few minutes looking at pictures of ourselves running. I’d say race pictures are better than selfies. They catch runners in action,…
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December 3, 2022

Marital Bliss

You have me laughing at the worst times In the line-up, during prayer I can’t stay within the lines I watch you wobbling in yoga class Whether you’re a half moon or a warrior A cat or a cow I’m sure: I want you with me everywhere Right now Running our races With short hair…
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December 1, 2022

Daddy

When I grow up I want to be like you You might think I’m grown up now I guess we’re both grown up somehow I can’t figure out where all the time went I can hold it in the pictures Like you once held me Birthday parties in the backyard Algebra homework on the kitchen…
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November 29, 2022

Puppy Love

I love my dog. And I’m not just saying that in the cliché’ sense, like how people say, “I love cheese,” or “I love your shoes.” I love my dog. By that I mean that my heart is so soft toward him, he’s completely won my affection (and attention), I want to hang out with…
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November 25, 2022

Black Friday

I’m exhausted Spent, consumed, zapped In this race of life, I have been lapped The sweet potato casserole turned out okay The gathering was small My dog behaved My parents, my brother, then the in-laws I think most people ended up hurt Would I rather go to work? There’s a race there too After dinner…
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