Author Archives: sputterpub

The Deciding Symptom

Posted on May 10, 2023 by sputterpub

“Reactive airway” were the words I heard.“Disorder” (or “disease”) succeeded those.That’s how he named the wheezing that occurredwhen I sustained a cold. Such breathing woes,a temporary asthma, virus-spurred,a side-effect from all the smoke I chose,and kept inhaling till I got … Continue reading →

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Two-Toned

Posted on May 9, 2023 by sputterpub

Gaslighting me, this Spring the trellis hostswisteria of white, where purple bloomedthree years ago. They dangle like the ghostsof plants I bought from experts who assumedthe petals would be lilac on my postsand lattices. But this is white-costumed.Although the blossoms … Continue reading →

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Disparagement

Posted on May 8, 2023 by sputterpub

Describing the slob, I implied he’s a jerk.I think worse than that may be true.When young he’d a job and I’m sure he did work,but now he’s in charge of a crew.Now he sees clients, quotes what will be due,and … Continue reading →

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Meters (2)

Posted on May 7, 2023 by sputterpub

Professional, with decades on the job,the contractor described himself to me.I overlooked him looking like a sloband took him at his word, initially.But when he turned to gas utility,he didn’t know that mine was piped exempt.I had to after-teach to … Continue reading →

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Living with No Earthquake Valve

Posted on May 6, 2023 by sputterpub

My cottage sits behind a shingled boxthat holds four separate units. They all sharea gas line but my own’s alone. When shocksfrom work around their basement (to repairthe drainage) caused the earthquake valve to trip,I understood why heaters didn’t flame,why … Continue reading →

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Morning Sights While Walking

Posted on May 5, 2023 by sputterpub

The first remarkable: an ailing mouse,mid-sidewalk, all a-twitch, a grounding sight;then doors with labels at the firehouse,read Medic, Truck, and Engine, left to right;and third I saw the shoes, 6 pair, uprightamid the weeds adjacent to the street.Such were the … Continue reading →

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Best Guess

Posted on May 4, 2023 by sputterpub

Does this post-nasal drip portend a cold?(The kids I hug have recently been well.)Or could it be the start of Covid’s hold?(I’m negative but it’s too soon to tell.)I woke at 3 to feeling choked with phlegm,and didn’t screen a … Continue reading →

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A Soft Spot

Posted on May 3, 2023 by sputterpub

A week ago, while reading in my chair,the vernal sunshine beckoned me to startthe ceiling fan, and open to warm airthe door of glass beside me. Looking downI noticed withered bugs or dust motes there.I took a cloth and swept … Continue reading →

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The Decline of BART

Posted on May 2, 2023 by sputterpub

I used to ride BART to the city and backfour work days or more every week,preferring the last car, where crowding was slack,employing an end seat technique,enjoying my privacy, able to viewwhose ride was proceeding near mine.But that was the … Continue reading →

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Heat & Fire

Posted on May 1, 2023 by sputterpub

The photograph’s from April 21st.A morning shot, the blaze remote-controlled.The chill of dawn had thoroughly reversed,and forecasts showed an end to waking cold.A month of Spring had already been tolled,but California’s calendar divertsfrom elsewhere norms – the time has come … Continue reading →

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