Author Archives: sputterpub

Child

Our roles reversed when I was 5 years old(she didn’t notice and she won’t agree).Determining that I’d be self-controlledwas my reply to the barbarityof mother, nurses, powers over me,that overruled what should have been a hug.She’s nearly 98 but seems … Continue reading

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Parents

My parents are the ocean and the earth,though neither carries gendering or sex,or any measured motive in my birth,and don’t directly breathe. I am complexbut not confused, about what each expects –I take my lesson from the ebb and flowand … Continue reading

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Caldera Lake

I try to spot Mt Shasta when I flyfrom SFO to PDX – half-wayit makes my milestone. I couldn’t spyits loftiness in yesterday’s display.The sky was clear, but so much snowfall laybelow our path, the mountain didn’t stakeits usual command … Continue reading

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Childhoods

I knew him well, or so I thought back then.We married and we talked incessantly.The sex was good and we were best of friends.The subsequent divorce, it seemed to me,avoided bitterness, was short on rue,and never severed memories with tears.We … Continue reading

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Bomb Cyclone

Astounding weather, but it’s not as badas news reports present, for most of us.The fact is even too much rain’s a gladevent. We’ve been sore-dry for years, and thuswe’ll weather weather. Ants can’t drive me mad;while reservoirs recover I won’t … Continue reading

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Better Butter Pear

My lunch in quarantine evolved to bea salad so delicious, even nowI eat it any day I’m home. The threeingredients most crucial in that choware avocado, cheese, and pumpkin seeds.To lesser butter pears I’ve had to bowof late, with too … Continue reading

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A Soggy Year

When I was young, I knew when rain would fall.It started late November every year,in earnest, and the next two months were allconsistently precipitating. Clearwas rare – I wore no suede and had to smearwith waterproofing liquids all my boots.This … Continue reading

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Leakage

The evidence could wreak hysteria.We shouldn’t tell the public what we found –their panic would pervade each area where people congregate and rumors mound.And anyway, the bioscience needssupport from governors – the funds redound to buy campaigns and research that … Continue reading

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Down Time

It took some time but now we think I caughtthe virus that infected both my kids,their mates and children. Less than they, not fraughtwith symptoms, my assessment just forbidsexertion, chill or company. The thoughtof leaving home repels. I’ll rest eyelidsand … Continue reading

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Grace

I’ve modified behavior now and then –eschewing sugar, cannabis, the pills.And I’ve received congratulations whenI mention or describe foregoing ills.Self-deprecation blooms in my reply –It wasn’t all that hard – I’d had enough,was how I felt, I mentioned with a … Continue reading

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