Grab Hold and Come On In

A fairy tale convict, restrained in her tower cell, scratching those long, thin lines, doleful exercise, the shaky ones that … More

Three, Two, One

He jumps in his car and drives,from the Oakland docks, remember?and drives fastO, Death, Ralph Stanley,running round on a loop, … More

Get Quiet

I watch as the party rages on across the way. It’s now officially after midnight, and no one’s phoned the … More

The Authors’ Voices

Like dog whistles we can’t be heard. If you could hear all of us, together, you’d never let us into … More

Missing Pages

I’m stapling together revised 5-year projections,our support staff still working remotely.I love this stapler, well worth the money,handling more than … More

Hunting for a Subject

I was sitting at the Tahitian Lānai piano barwith the actual Surgeon General of the United States,on vacation here in … More

Vinyl’s Final

Vinyl was as good as dead, but it’s making a comeback.Like Lazarus, LPs have risen from the grave.The last time … More

The Stuff of Dreams

The first time I traveled there, a lengthy journeyall the way from Hawai‘i, I was alreadyan old man, had long … More

The Taking of Medicine

Dave’s here from Wisconsin, and we’re swimming at Ala Moana Beach,despite the posted bright orange jellyfish warning signs.I’ve assured him … More

Old Enough to Deal

I liked to gamble back then,had to have the perfect dealer,searched hard for someone special. With her I had a … More

This six-foot wide divide

So we sit “beside” each other. We’re noteven supposed to be touching now I know.Oh, how that’s so not beside … More

Kū‘auhau (Genealogy)

Once upon a time there was a little girl from Chicago, City of the Big Shoulders, And there was a … More

The Lurch (Part Three)

The day— it was night the last time he knew – had gone well.  The same routine since he’d retired.  … More

The Lurch (Part Two)

He’d heard that phrase all his life, but never thought much about what it might mean.  Maybe he might’ve been … More

The Lurch

When he came to, he was in the dark.  Calling out and receiving no response, he figured he was there … More

Breakfast After a Bad One

Old lovers are ghosts, pass the pancakes,pass the syrup, blueberry, not maple, please,the way they shift themselves into our consciousness,when … More

Kauaʻi, Boys, Is nō ka ʻoi

EXTERIOR. ON THE BEACH AT KEKAHA, KAUAʻI, HAWAIʻI EVENING Four friends, BEANPOLE, BROWNIE, GOODIE, and PEANUT sit on the sand … More

Beyond Sorry

“You don’t recognize me, do you?” She’s smiling at me, a good smile, the kind of smile that lights up … More

The Second Shot

Sickest I’ve ever been.  I don’t think anyone got annual flu shots back then.  At least I never heard of … More

Hearing Loss

What’s that you’re saying under your breath,a curse or a blessing for me, you’ve done both well.I’ve grown to known … More