Author Archives: sputterpub

Fruitful

Posted on March 22, 2018 by sputterpub

Be Fruitful, bids the Biblical command, and Multiply. There’s little to discuss. Though Aramaic’s hard, we understand the order is for propagating us. But that was written in a time and land that needed places to be populous. We’re crowded. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognition, Poetry | Leave a comment

Baby Gear

Posted on March 20, 2018 by sputterpub

His parents are mid-30s, well-to-do, besotted with him, and of course they vow to raise him perfectly, with this year’s new devices, paying experts to learn how. They purchase toys and gadgets to enrich the eating, drinking, bathing episodes. Dishwasher-safe, … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Cough

Posted on March 19, 2018 by sputterpub

I cough too much. When I was 21, I had bronchitis in a rugged place. The meds were harsh – before the course had run, they diagnosed pneumonia in my case. And ever since, each cold becomes complex. The coughing … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Poetry | Leave a comment

Ennui

Posted on March 15, 2018 by sputterpub

“What’s there to do? I’m bored,” I would complain to Mom when I was young enough to ask. “Go hit your head,” was her bizarre refrain, “against the wall.” I’d find myself a task. For I avoided boredom like a … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognition, Poetry | Leave a comment

Bus Stop

Posted on March 13, 2018 by sputterpub

Arriving at the bus stop yesterday, my app displayed the disappointing news: a dozen minutes late! (That’s half the way I’d planned to ride.) And so I got to choose a standing wait with phone and book, or stroll with … Continue reading →

Posted in Neighborhood, Poetry | Leave a comment

Notions

Posted on March 12, 2018 by sputterpub

I know I was a handful: scared my mom and stunned my dad with willfulness and heat. Wicked-bright and booming like a bomb, I overfilled our den. I wasn’t sweet and patient. I defied the girl-police. I had too many … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Poetry | Leave a comment

Anti-Perspirant

Posted on March 8, 2018 by sputterpub

Arriving home last night, I was annoyed to find the shared recycle bin too crammed. As if my time should weekly be employed collapsing neighbors’ refuse! I’ll be damned, I muttered, but converted that within to smiling at the mindlessness … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior Modification, Poetry | Leave a comment

Generation Skipping

Posted on March 6, 2018 by sputterpub

“You do too much,” my mother says of late, who used to carp at me for laziness. I haven’t shirked real work. I’m 68, and though I harbor barks of craziness, I’ve never dropped an oar. I pull my weight, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Poetry | Leave a comment

Meant Empty Words

Posted on March 5, 2018 by sputterpub

It does no good to say I told you so. That irritates the hearer to a snit. The speaker was correct, and needn’t throw a boast about. It’s inappropriate and doesn’t work. Like when you’re judging me, you say you’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Lessons, Poetry | Leave a comment

Pathetic Fallacy

Posted on March 1, 2018 by sputterpub

The weather seemed in sympathy that day with his despair: abysmal dismal guy. But that was mere coincidence – the way he staggered out, tear-blinded as the sky shellacked his pain with rainfall. Inside out ran water, but that wasn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Weather | Leave a comment