At the Poetry Slam – Medicare Division
I went to a poetry slam on Sunday night and I placed second, out of not many. I lost to a young woman who used the F-word in all forms of speech – adjective, adverb, verb, noun – but she … Read More
The Thermostat Game
Every autumn I wait to see how late in the calendar I go before I turn on the furnace. I don’t know why this frugality is a pleasure, because the self-abnegation, the suffering, is only mine to bear. I don’t … Read More
the stale marshmallow
Remember the marshmallow test? It still comes up in casual reference. Forty years ago, a Stanford researcher put a marshmallow in front of a small child, and basically said “Don’t touch it, I have to leave the room.” The ability … Read More
Wisdom, Irrelevance, Custer’s Example
I was labelled “wise” by the new leader of my last workplace. The label was a euphemism for irrelevant. Her vision was transformation through metric-driven, tech-savvy efficiencies. I thought it was the right vision. So I retired. I wasn’t pushed … Read More
Strippers in church
Strippers from Casa Diablo, a vegan strip club (only-in-Portland?) were in church and part of the sermon/dialogue a few weeks ago. The minister preaches – and practices—radical inclusion. His stewardship sermon last Sunday was Please don’t Give Us Money, if … Read More
The missing child
When people ask how many children I have, I hesitate. The answer is two, a bio child and adopted child, but it is easier to say “one.” Like other simple questions in idle chat, the answer is messier than social … Read More
Hitch-hiking
Ken Kesey’s bronze statue cozied up to me On that bench in Eugene. I knew Further, That painted Urge to trip across country, Thumb out, backpack on. I jumped a 6-foot fence in Minnesota, State trooper’s light flashing, Left a … Read More
Looking for the meadowlark
The meadowlark’s song is a signature memory of my childhood, that lilting call on a grassy knoll, melody carried above the grinding of grasshoppers or the rustling of wind through tall grass; a meadowlark perched on a fence post, head … Read More
Protest Song
Where are all the protest songs? Long time passing? Caged children don’t wade in the water. What blows in the wind? We count and it’s one, two, three what are we waiting for? We’re in a silent war. Does outrage … Read More