The Psychic

I woke up this morning – for which I’m always thankful nowadays – to find that everyone who knows him … More

Opening Wounds

One of the deals with the Lutheran Church was that after you slogged your way through Catechism and Confirmation, you … More

Another Challenge

       This happened a long time ago when I was young and stupid.  Maybe eight at the time, I was part of … More

Sticking Point

“So it’s agreed, then, we should sell the house, right?” she said.  “And we’ll then split the money in half.” … More

Rock of Ages

You remember that Carly Simon song, “There’s Always Someone Haunting Someone”? I suppose she could be talking about actual ghosts, … More

Catching Up

I had a pretty lousy childhood, but my adulthood has been pretty good so far if you really want to … More

The Last Time

Neil Young was playing.  The Comes a Time album.  Sipping a beer, he stared into the fireplace and saw her face.         Young did that … More

One of These Days

“You know me,” he said. “I have a smile for everyone.” His smile, this one to illustrate, seemed to be … More

The Cube

I was riding the Pacific Heights bus toward Ward Avenue when I saw the smoke.  As we neared the source, I … More

Here There Is No Light

For us, two hells might await us at the end of our existence. One is to be consumed in fire. … More

Very Zen

“Excuse me, sir, but you can’t stop here. Please keep walking.” She’s pleasant enough, but I sense a sinister undertone, … More

The Last One

The bud, pristine, sat there unopened.       If you talk to plants, they’re supposed to hear you.  That’s what Helen … More

From Flames

Can smell the fireand the watersometimes imagineif water has a smellthat remnant steamy scentof memories Never cared for the way … More

Breathe

When I could bare to stand nakedYour eyes on me for a first timeI prayed for the bestCrossed my fingers … More

A Book of Hours

My legs go numb standing thereGrasping the wooden edges to hold meSo long that the usher behind meClears his throat … More

It’s Inevitable

What’s that oneOn the tip of your tongueOr more your ear It goesDa da da di da di da da … More

Arrivals and Departures

At any momentTurn a cornerOpen your eyesSwitch on a lightHe’s hereYou recognize himComing to you without greetingA pause at the … More

When What’s Not Isn’t Missing

Something you should knowIs sometimes not’s not missing Not isAs in the space between two words on a pageOr the … More

What We Say

I’ve seen many timesLike a dart that hits a stray markHow friends among each otherOpen and honestAbout nearly everythingWill say … More

My Tiny History Here

I wonderIf the moon impartsA four billion year oldHistory lessonDo I miss any instructionAsleep most times belowUnable to knowWhat wisdom … More