Let Responsibility Lie Where It Belongs

August 28, 2024.Reading time 1 minute.

I was raised to be a fixer. Right up there with people pleaser, it’s a hard practice to shake. Recently, I’ve been struggling with my husband’s new habit of staying up late. I worry about whether or not he’s getting enough sleep, and concerned that he’ll hurt his neck if he falls asleep sitting up. […]

Heron Teacher

July 5, 2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Paradoxical

October 3, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Fear and intimidation formed the basis of his power. To this day I tremble, afraid I’ve misstepped – parked the car wrong, forgot to close the door properly, or spoken out of turn. My father was a hand grenade with the pin perpetually pulled. He was also motivational, citing the works of Carnegie, Peale, Gibran, […]

The Coach Learns a Lesson

May 29, 2018.Reading time 7 minutes.

“Whatever you do, we have to beat this team!” Eight eager heads nod, mouth consent. We all hate this coach. Two of my girls are injured but have come along to support their teammates. Our center, a tall blonde, new to basketball waits for the ball drop. She easily catches the ball and dribbles towards […]

End the Fray

This breach –this ever-widening gapfear inducedpits usagainst themas if humanitycan be dividedsalvationa selective process. We need a balmto soothe societalwounds, a tonicto calm the angstuntil clarityquells the uproarand kindnessreplaces this sin. (Poem originally appeared June 2019. Image my own)

Why We Write (tanka)

Memo to Self

Awakened by a crash just past midnight, I quickly realized my husband was not in bed and had fallen again. It’s the second time in two weeks. He couldn’t get back up. Paramedics arrived within minutes. Three strapping men had him on his feet again in no time. He was jostled but okay. I laid […]