Mars Base One (a rolling blackout)
She drives with the skillof an old alcoholic as sheconfidently pulls rightup to the guard railShe’d been listening toa radio show about thelong-time secret...
One-Night Stand
The story begins one night in the Anchor, a New Haven bar on College Street, half a block south of the campus, after 10PM when graduate students take the...
Being J.S. Bach
For too few marvelled moments,my left hand winged the Swell,and Bach’s angel host—his Engel Schar—infusedthe dark organ loftwith light. Don’t be afraid.My...
Mother of the World
She stands at the top of a celestial zenith,A terrestrial dais from which to survey.On top of her head seats a magnificent wreath,A chaplet concealing her...
A Tale of Two States
Arkansas. The state where I was born. The place of my ancestors, family reunions, family weddings and celebrations and a place where those who have left come...
The Farmer’s Daughter
A farmer's girlPure as a pearlLives in your houseSoft as a mouseShe feeds the lambsSweet apple jamAnd smiles and laughsWith small giraffesAnd every nightThe...
One Moon
Today America shot the moon,ruler of our seas and nights.It was so target-like to gun slingers like us.It was only a little probe the scientistssaid, the...
Useful in the Jungle
I couldn’t remember last year because I was in it.You didn’t call it war.You called it me being a bitchbut you knew too much about a rangeof lesser cruelties...
Nice People
This morning my little friend Jagger (a.k.a. my 6-year-old grandson) visited me. I had many items on my to-do list and thought we could knock some of them...
No Exit from the Quantum Physics Class
Love is everywhereIt’s not just in onecertain person orone certain placeLove is everywhereand it’s nowhere
Attack of the Spider Woman
One summer evening, I sat on my patio with friends from out of state. Our conversation was soon distracted as we watched a very industrious and creative...
Encounters with Crows
The caw-caw from low in the acacia treegrated like sandpaperToo close and aggressive to be conversationalMore like the threat of thunderOr an adrenaline...
Aperitif
“Mary, where are the olives? You can’t possibly expect to serve this relish tray without olives.” He pushes the white, ceramic platter across the table....
NASA Scientist
Each night he sleepwalks,dreams of arranging stars,craves a conversation with the universe.His red dwarf alphabetblinks a primordial desire to discovera...
Honeysuckle
Time Out at the swimming pool,when parents swam their empty lapsand we met at the parking lot fence,where honeysuckle twinedand made us almost sickwith its...
Corral-Your-Craving Buckwheat Granola
1 cup buckwheat groats2 cups rolled oats1 cup sliced almonds1/2 cup dry powdered buttermilk1/2 cup coconut flakes1/4 cup sunflower seeds1/4 cup pumpkin...
The Known Universe
He pointed to the page and said put a sun in here, a starsomething to remind your reader of the infinite. Put the infinite here, he said.I didn’t think...
The Rescue
“Ouch!” he said, louder than intended. A small drop of blood appeared on Eli Vakhtman’s right thumb. He stood up quickly to get a piece of paper towel in the...
RECKLESS
It was a total and complete accidentthat I saw you and that I saw youwalking with him and down that streetAnd the question came to mejust who in the world is...
Invention
Mostly we’re a happy country.It’s in the constitution. We have the right. Your mother told you thatwhen you wanted to cry. She said,“I’ll give you something...