I fell apart yesterday. Along with the body, this body, my body, pulling herself together, my heart cracked and crumpled. A break-up. My choice. My clarity for life moving forward. Clarity to know who and what I will allow access to me based on love, kindness, compassion. My choice—not rash nor emotional—but a series ofContinue reading “In Gathering Grapes and Grief”
Tag Archives: poetry
With Deep Gratitude for Toast and Stents
Yesterday I pulled my stent out. The surgeon instructed this post-op, though I barely remember her guidance. Blood. Warm bath. Meds. Pain. The day before, I bled-peed all day. This too, expected. Still, when you witness your body pouring blood through an orifice that should not bleed. Yesterday I prepped stent-pulling with a strong doseContinue reading “With Deep Gratitude for Toast and Stents”
Noticings
Noticings, This is my new substack newsletter. While I’ve loved my little Ramblings blog here, I haven’t visited often enough. It has felt, well, neglect-full at best. My website is still running all the things: upcoming events, new projects, and freshly published art and programs. Noticings will hold a theme: the little things I noticeContinue reading “Noticings”
Fast Publication?
Are writers who take years to publish better writers than those who publish frequently? I’m asking for myself because I hear this fairly often. Because I hear this often, I assume the statement is targeted at me. I might be the target because over the last four years, I’ve published four books. (Thank you, MoonContinue reading “Fast Publication?”
Un-Shiva-ing
My brother phoned me on June 13th, 2025. I was driving my oldest son to his weekly PT. I probably wore leggings and a soft tee. Maybe a loose sundress. I should tell you, my brother rarely calls. When I say “rarely,” I mean, like once or twice a year. I should also tell youContinue reading “Un-Shiva-ing”
In Matters of the Heart
On April 14th this year, my oldest son, Zach, underwent his 40th procedure. He’s 24. You might’ve kept up with this event through my social media posts. You might’ve thought me worried. You also might’ve believed me strong. Let’s not be fooled. If you asked me, How are you? those two months leading up toContinue reading “In Matters of the Heart”
The World Needs More Than a Tweaking
I underwent a little spine surgery last Wednesday. Yes. I’m fine. Yes. It was a necessary tweaking, offering hope to alleviate pressure and pain on my occipital nerves. I think of all pain, nerve pain is the worst. No. Heart-pain wins. But this isn’t about pain. This is about hunger. The day after my tweaking,Continue reading “The World Needs More Than a Tweaking”
a little self comfort for the tender poet
I can only begin with advice I read (and re-read) from Rebecca Solnit‘s Facebook post, Nov 6th at 4:25 am, “Things you do not have to do today. –Join the frenzy of what/who to blame. –Take in a bunch more media. –Feel like you’re ready to face the next five years and have to planContinue reading “a little self comfort for the tender poet”
The Price of Energy
I collect money. Collect it in a mason jar. Collect coins and bills and hand-written IOUs on Post-Its. I charge five dollars per bad attitude. I began this transactional system when my sons were younger, say eight and ten and two. The price lower back then. A quarter for an eye-roll, a dime for a,Continue reading “The Price of Energy”
Writing & Wardrobing
She gathered clothes that did not “fit,” hanging them on one side of my closet.
I took to a bottle of wine.
I feel this is where writing and wardrobing clearly intersect.
