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The Girl and the English Teacher
The girl said plaintively, “There’s nothing to write about!” And her English teacher said, “Write about that” The teacher wore purple, had white hair, and was stout The girl whipped out her writing pad And wrote about nothing How there is never nothing In 10th grade English class She ate her peanut butter sandwich and…
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Community Beach (in December)
How many times have we been on this beach? After all these years it still has something to teach Like a loyal friend, it’s always been here for me I love it most in winter, in December Just before Christmas No one else is there Just me and my pup The whole place glistens We…
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Me and Martha
Martha and I are best friends Never mind that we’ve missed each other by several thousand years I guess how you think of her depends But her mark in history resonates in my ears To be the hostess of such a great guest I’m sure she did her best Ran around making preparations In all…
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Charlie’s Tree
Sometimes my soul feels like Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree looks It’s like I’ve endured too many axes and hooks There’s one lone red, round ornament dangling from a barren limb My trunk and roots have grown thin There’s a light blue blanket beneath me And in the neighbor’s replica there’s a string on each side…
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Christmas 2026 Vision
It might look like a 4-year-old put up the Christmas lights But I figure – eh, that’s alright It’s already been two years since I’ve had my artificial tree It’s true what the old people used to always tell me That time goes by fast I always kinda thought it would wait for me But…
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Beach Bliss
The beach is magical It’s where I go for sabbatical About three times a week It’s where I go to pray – or to just be Sometimes I don’t even speak I just walk With my Golden retriever When I tell him we’re going, he’s always eager I watched him today as he floated along…
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Thanksgiving 2025
There’s not much to talk about at the table My husband and I host now instead of my aunt We don’t have cable I sent her an invitation but I’m not sure if she could read the font I dream about my mom’s idiosyncrasies All the little things that have a tendency to embarrass me …
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Jesus in the Boat
The whole world is anxious Jittering, sleepless, in a panicked fright We’re all shivering, up all night Everyone’s walking a tight rope We’re lying, cheating, stealing, killing Trying to find a way to cope My own sin is too great I crumble thinking about my own fate There’s a rainstorm of taxes, emails, and faxes …
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My Friend on the Sidelines
I saw you at just a glimpse, as I sped by You were standing there with your wife on the sideline You reminded me of a beaver With two big white teeth against tan skin And you looked thin You would have laughed at that back then But I kept it to myself this time…
writings on life
gremlin fodder 