Category: Family
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December 25th
The world spins round to day a day ancient Romans chose for Christmas the third day of Hanukkah the day before Kwanzaa begins a day of traditions both old and new a day off with pay a day the world slows down in the west a day of reflection a day of sadness for those…
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Dreaming the night before the night before Christmas
I dreamed I was trying to wake from a dream within a dream and every dream I dreamed led into another dream and I could not wake up I dreamed I met an old friend who I did not know but he knew me I dreamed that I was in a custom coffee store tasting…
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Conversation with a dying cypress
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by
On the day before the longest night before the earth tilts back towards sun you walked high ground of cypress swamp among trunks stripped bare of green of fern, of leaf and vine You stood and asked questions of a dying cypress its root mound raised up on one side as if years ago it…
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Happy Holidays
During this holiday season (Yes, I said holiday season) I wish you fond memories I wish you family and friends I wish you recovery from loss I wish you joy, happiness and good cheer I wish you whatever you wish for this time of year I wish you eight bright Hanukkah candles I wish you…
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The dust behind my refrigerator
Trying to find my way back into a dream I slept in this morning Mom was trying to contact me from her grave Laying on the guilt Something about deep cleaning the kitchen for the holidays But my father kept calling out “Alice, that boy never listens leave him alone and come to bed” 12-18-19
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Christmas at the neighborhood salad bar
At dusk, two deer run in heavy traffic between cars to beat the rush and feast on shrubs And gaze at neighborhood displays of famous reindeer cousins pulling Santa’s sleigh If they would hang with Rudolph, traffic would’ve stopped and they could cross at the light 12-16-19
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The Leaping Stone
It’s not winning you crave, but losing you fear It’s not the destination, but the journey A satiated stone cannot move on its own It must wait to be broken Gathered up in green and consumed To run forests, swim rivers or fly In the stochasticity of brokenness Resides your seeking soul Leap from your…
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for Steve
Not every bough in paradise is laden with ripened fruit hanging eye-level for you to pick Listen – there is a hush in sacrifice when fruit falls overripe sweet upon the ground Waiting for the gathering up the crush of the cider press numinosity dripping in a jug Rendered sacred for cool evenings to sip…
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2708 So. 18th St.
Every morning, he rose from his bed sat at the kitchen table by the window drank coffee with cream and listened to local news on the radio He shoveled snow in winter mowed the lawn in summer and walked the dog three times a day He warmed up the car, took her to the beauty…
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Oyster dressing
A daughter and a son sisters and brothers Nieces and nephews and assorted in-laws Will gather at noon with dishes of old family recipes At my baby sister’s house and I will not be there Never again will I pray over turkey with oyster dressing and pumpkin pie Never again will I watch mom taste…
