Author Archives: sputterpub

Close One

Posted on December 8, 2011 by sputterpub

I witnessed a near-accident on the way to work. A woman driver nearly backed into an oblivious pedestrian. The only thing that prevented collision was the driver’s extremely slow speed. That’s what made me notice her in the first place … Continue reading →

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Ten of Four

Posted on December 7, 2011 by sputterpub

When I was 22ish I spent some time on a kibbutz. The other volunteers (studentim) were from the US or Canada or the Netherlands, and the Dutch kids were pretty fluent in English. So I was surprised one afternoon, while … Continue reading →

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The Traveler

Posted on December 6, 2011 by sputterpub

He says he loves to travel for the new impressions, foreign cultures, ethnic arts. His mind is stimulated by each view he photographs. He’s speaking as he darts from site to site arranging flights and stays at charming B&Bs, selecting … Continue reading →

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Letters

Posted on December 5, 2011 by sputterpub

“What’s your least favorite letter?” Danny asked us at lunch. We goggled. “Come on,” he said. “It’s the opposite of when you were little, and everyone asked what’s your favorite this or that. I want your least favorite.” “Letter?” “Yeah. … Continue reading →

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On Reading of the Future

Posted on December 2, 2011 by sputterpub

… In a Comic Book 20 Years Old I read a Richie Rich the other night: A story run in 1973 that had an uncle travel to the bright occasion of the coming century which seemed approaching slowly surely then … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | 2 Comments

Voyeur

Posted on December 1, 2011 by sputterpub

The creature most interesting to a dog is another dog. The being most interesting to a child is another child. The people most interesting to people are other people. Our favorite disability is blindness, because we think we can stare … Continue reading →

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Norange

Posted on November 30, 2011 by sputterpub

Andy asked me which came first: orange as the name of the fruit or the color? And then he asked a few more times, so I gathered that he meant it. The fruit. It goes back to at least 2500 … Continue reading →

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Monkey Bars

Posted on November 29, 2011 by sputterpub

I watched the children in the corner park amuse themselves on monkey bars. I saw each swinging body ride a measured arc, depending arm to arm on natural law. (You cannot rush a pendulum. Its swing is its identity, its … Continue reading →

Posted in Lessons, Poetry | 2 Comments

Conservation

Posted on November 28, 2011 by sputterpub

Of course I’m naturally conservative. Most people are. That doesn’t mean we’re Republicans. It means we resist change, at least a bit, at least at first. People are almost as ready as dogs to make a tradition. Do something once … Continue reading →

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Treasures

Posted on November 25, 2011 by sputterpub

Of all the gifts my life bestows on me ideas I value most. Computer treasures electricity but software is a ghost that current-craves as we require blood, as sunshine is essential for the bud, and we, elaborate, are built to … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Writing | 2 Comments