Author Archives: sputterpub

Scourge Surge

I’ve co-existed with the critters here –the garden is their home as much as mine –and wasn’t overbothered till this year,when building on my eastern boundary line,and now the north, has changed the biosphere.Too many skunks no longer seem benign.I’ll … Continue reading

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Five Days of Peace

For five days there was nothing on my list,and I leaned into leisure all I could,aboard my landboat sloop and comfort-kissed,admiring tile, glass, gas flames, and wood.Beginning at a luncheon with a goodold friend, I then embraced full solitude,and hunkered … Continue reading

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Belly Love by Firelight

Pre-natal yoga seemed a likely choicetoday: attending warmly to my girth.I tried to cradle belly and rejoicealthough I’m over 70 on earth,and 40 years beyond the younger’s birth.Today I didn’t hate my globe of fatthat at 16 was toned, completely … Continue reading

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Acceleration

They told me history repeats itself.I heard it from my father and in class.I found the phrase in books upon a shelf,with liberty to browse. It came to passI got it, reading fiction, history:the cruelties Dickens caught, Voltaire and Swift.I … Continue reading

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Analogy Regarding Empathy

Imagine that you’re driving slowly here,when someone darts too fast for you to stop.You can’t avoid collision – though you veerand brake, a bone is snapped and tendons pop.You’re traumatized although you’re not to blame,but sympathy and aid is not … Continue reading

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The Oakland Nod

I’ve lived in these parts all my adult years,enjoying weather and topography,admiring how my neighborhood appears,inhaling bay-washed air. Diversityabounds and has accustomed me to seethe postures in the streets, the manner howthe Oakland nod goes up initially –a greeting that … Continue reading

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Attribution

We visit Mom fortnightly after work,but sometimes cause arises to postpone.I travel, or a banquet throws a quirk,or Covid makes her want to dine alone.Declaring in our daily telephoneexchange, regret my brother chose delay,I then receive a text from him, … Continue reading

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Lucky Number

Deciding that I’d want some mushroom soupfor dinner on a wet December night,I caught a bus to ride a market loop,to buy ingredients to cook it right.Securing broth and fungi, I was quitedelighted to attain by smartphone appthe lucky-numbered bus … Continue reading

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A Palm Upon the Back

A staggered walking shuffle after stroke,a toddler’s drunken stumble to a chair,a tentative attempt when someone spokeon subjects sensitive, with urgent care,all beg for some encouragement, and sharea need for help developing a knack.I can’t imagine any act more fairthan … Continue reading

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Decomposition

Alone is worse, perhaps, but maybe not.This year our conversation’s like a curse.I used to like to talk with you a lot.Alone is worse? We’re neither so infirm we need a nurse,and though there’s nouns I know you have forgot,I … Continue reading

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