brilliant imperfection ___unmolded Davidian banzai natural sculpted unscathed nothing confined refined Carvers, clippers, shapers. Language. Night and day. ___i don’t want to give in withering windless leaves ___stemmed to branches gravity resisted ___that friction unresolved tension unbanked rivers flow ____________________to everywhere deformed conformity ___losing herself her brilliance so natural so undefined... Continue Reading →
If you read one thing today… George Saunders’ Commencement Speech at Syracuse University for the Class of 2013
George Saunders touches on regret and the importance of kindness in an address to graduates a few years ago, but sometimes I think this speech is more appropriate at the beginning of the school year or just about anytime really. There's a link at the end to read the whole speech, but here's a little... Continue Reading →
The End of Summer
I recently took a trip to Portland to see some old friends. I guess that’s the gist of my trips these days. I’m not really looking for new adventures, I’m just looking to keep those old relationships. Maybe I’m doing it wrong but I can live with that for the time being. I didn’t do... Continue Reading →
Fall
the thinning air scares me ___away to the valley withering wandering __________towards the valley in mid-October’s rain flooding dry decaying leaves cold wind’s discomfort brushing my face _______________reminding me I’ve forgot ___cold winds carrying emotions, leaves me wondering ___________why everything is starting __________________________to go away in Autumn’s departure- ___what is this I see... Continue Reading →
Girl’s Room
______For George Oppen A stranger peeked in Plath’s and Dickinson’s windows late at night, and thought, “Man, these are lassie rooms,” and laughed alone. Yes, a woman’s room is a girly room, and I hope men know that the intelligent prostitute will excite a man, a whore not a girl reaching for... Continue Reading →
Simple Clarity
_____For Jean Donnelly Oh, Jean, it’s okay If you do it beautifully, My name’s rhyme Nothing else should Clarify so simple The pen’s condensation A long draught The ink’s condescension A first draft The end product ___begins logic Who creates I know ______I shall meet— The scholars—and The daffodils— At night the... Continue Reading →
An Excerpt from A Son’s Loyalties – The Park (Chapter Four)
This is an excerpt from a novel I'm working on. I would appreciate any feedback. Thanks and have a great weekend. Heads turn when they see Kao’s dark blue car. He parks near two makeshift volleyball courts, where a mixture of Southeast Asians are playing. Most of them are Mien and Hmong and a few... Continue Reading →
If you read one thing today… Time and Again by Breece D’J Pancake
"...I think I am getting too old to do this anymore. I wish I could rest and watch my hogs get old and die. When the last one is close to dying, I will feed him his best meal and leave the gate open. But that will most likely not happen, because I know this... Continue Reading →
Migrant Burden
Migraine headache ___a migrant backache ______from father to son. An American daughter-in-law _____our burden together. Donna wears her emotions on a flushed pale face washed with ivory cream ___what she brings to the table white rice _________mother taught her to wash and steam. Her father and brother wonder why I never finished business... Continue Reading →
If you read one thing today… The Soul of Barbecue is Being Reimagined in Charleston by Danny Chau
"Barbecue is a process of coaxing out secrets; barbecue is a romance. It requires patience and commitment, which over time reveal patterns and rhythms. A brisket will dance for you when it feels like it — and only when it feels like it. Its undulations are a sign that conditions are exactly right. That it’s done. In... Continue Reading →
