Author Archives: sputterpub

How to Flush

I’m old enough to laugh in lieu of blush,but I just learned the proper way to flusha toilet I have owned for seven years.I understood the tank, and how no gearsassist in operating the device,but no installer gave me some … Continue reading

Posted in Home, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Brother’s Gift

I didn’t want the picture-frame device.I never would have bought it for myself.I hinted my reluctance, once or twice,but someone sent it to me anyway(who’s spent a lifetime deaf to my advice).Regifting wouldn’t work – he might have feltlike I’d … Continue reading

Posted in Family, Love, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Absence of Trellis

The wood above the fence of brick was old.Some slats were sprung, and ivy compromisedits verticality and too its hold,but still the trellis partially disguisedthe low part of the house I recognizedas rightful building in a neighbor’s yard.With that in … Continue reading

Posted in Home, Neighborhood, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Fortnight

I should have been away but must delaya journey north, while loved ones’ viral loaddiminishes. Those five will be okay,but I’d be risking much in their abode,and company would likely discommodethe ill, as much as they are used to me.For … Continue reading

Posted in Family, Health, Poetry, Transit | Tagged | Leave a comment

Look What’s Leafing

Although we’ve changed the clocks, and daffodilsamid new tulips spice the yards nearby,and morning birds greet sunrise with their trills,and former dormant insects start to fly,the sight that tokens springtime to my eye,impressing and engendering beliefrenewal isn’t dead, is how … Continue reading

Posted in Flora, Home, Poetry, Weather | Tagged | Leave a comment

Deckoration

Between my room and office spans a deck.Above it looms a eucalyptus treethat often drops its leaves and leaves a wreckat times with sap and seeds or twig debris.But not till last week did I ever seea limb so large … Continue reading

Posted in Flora, Home, Poetry, Weather | Tagged | Leave a comment

Survival Strategies

If we review our early history,and recollect survival modes that youand I deployed, we’ll witness strategy.If we review… And when we isolate the chosen clueto navigate young trauma, mysteryis shallow – diagnosis is see-through. We understand what worked for you … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Philosophy, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Better Bureau

I ate a friendly early lunch, downtown,and then explored the campus boundaryto find the set-back entrance and lay downthe facts and circumstances curbing me.And after five-plus months of senselesslypursuing bureaucratic paths of grief,I found intelligence that practicallyprovided forms that seem … Continue reading

Posted in Poetry, Transit | Tagged | Leave a comment

Birth Order

I never imagined how life would have beenif I were the youngest instead.It didn’t occur to me when origincontributes to color the thread.Birth order’s an issue, and now I’ll beginto give the discussion some tread.I watched my dad’s sister. I … Continue reading

Posted in Family, Philosophy, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Complication

I sometimes think you’re fairly stupid. Whenyou parrot your old thoughts or network feed,I stifle yawns and look askance, but thenyou’ll utter insight or describe a needthat triggers admiration once again.I grow to see you faceted indeed.My brash and silly … Continue reading

Posted in Personality, Philosophy, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment