Monthly Archives: March 2013

Trip Chaperon

Posted on March 18, 2013 by sputterpub

He went away five days and then returned to me, my irritant and nightly bore, and six days passed before my husband learned how much the trip fatigued him to the core. “I’m getting old,” he said. “I didn’t know … Continue reading →

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Complaint (A Sestina)

Posted on March 15, 2013 by sputterpub

It seems like I’m a cuckoo in a home somebody else’s parents built. I mean my words; I always use my legs; I try to eke some pleasure out of every day; I know I’m half-aware when I’m asleep; I … Continue reading →

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Earth First (Part 3 of 3)

Posted on March 14, 2013 by sputterpub

As the campfire alters its state, from curlicues of red-glowing coals to licks of blue and gold, Daphne alters hers from outgoing to in-turning. She becomes very quiet, and she begins to sense the pathways of her nerves, the connections … Continue reading →

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Earth First (Part 2 of 3)

Posted on March 13, 2013 by sputterpub

“Teresa!” Daphne sang out. Of course they hadn’t heard her, but now she made noise. “Don’t call me Teresa. Please. Not Tracy or Terry, either. I implore.” She limped into the clearing and began to dress. “What’s the story? And … Continue reading →

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Earth First (Part 1 of 3)

Posted on March 12, 2013 by sputterpub

Gail says. “This fire’s wonderful. I’m glad we’re here.” “I’m real glad we came away from the first campsite. Now that we know. For which we thank you,” Daphne bows toward Reese as she finishes. Gail seconds the gesture. Reese … Continue reading →

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Lunch with a Co-Worker

Posted on March 11, 2013 by sputterpub

Your little face across from me is creased with pent emotion leaking, almost-tears of grudging tantrum, as you blurt the least exact elusive words (so it appears to me, who misses signs of hurt and tries dissecting syllables). I look … Continue reading →

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Intelligence Work

Posted on March 8, 2013 by sputterpub

I wonder how society would look if every individual were smart, if all derived their knowledge from the book of life, devoting time to love and art, and each unique as marketing implies. Imagine hordes of heroes, brilliant kids, sagacious … Continue reading →

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Vacuum (3 of 3)

Posted on March 7, 2013 by sputterpub

Now Ray’s in school again. It seems to Sharon that he may be slipping back into something like his Tet Offensive or R.O.T.C. weirdness with talk like today’s. It’s happening more and more. She wonders if she should call her … Continue reading →

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Vacuum (2 of 3)

Posted on March 6, 2013 by sputterpub

“The revolution never stopped,” Ray speaks across her thoughts. “The media is us, the politicians are us; there isn’t a them out there to villainize any more.” Ray rises from the table, steps across the minute kitchen to his two-burner … Continue reading →

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Vacuum (1 of 3)

Posted on March 5, 2013 by sputterpub

The catalyst for Ray’s epiphany is on page 70. “As a case in point,” wrote Peter Coyote in his autobiography, “consider Robert McNamara, sacrificing a generation of youth in Vietnam after concluding that the war was pointless, because he did … Continue reading →

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