Category Archives: Family

Ungracious

Posted on April 5, 2026 by sputterpub

“I’ll graciously bow out,” the message read,“unless you all agree to change the date.”But what the writer meant to say, instead,was “I’m too stressed and I won’t modulatemy petulance. I’ve tried adult of late,and now I need to throw a … Continue reading →

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Not at Home

Posted on April 4, 2026 by sputterpub

I’m here so much I have a nice routinealternative to home, without some stuff,considerately muting my machinebut solving, writing, walking. It’s not tough;I get my exercise, familiar scene,variety but salt and wine enough.And precious time to more than talk: to … Continue reading →

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Next

Posted on March 15, 2026 by sputterpub

Announcing hospice as the next addressto which she’ll move her mother, I was stunned.I hid surprise to not compound her stress,but had no clue the case was moribund.Poor thing: her mother’s age is three years lessthan 80. We all thought … Continue reading →

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No Legacy Words

Posted on March 13, 2026 by sputterpub

Near 20 years ago my father died,and statements Mom then made resound in me.Although since 6 she tended to deridewhat drafts I shared of prose and poetry,she voiced concern about her legacy.She looked askance and warned “Don’t paint me ill.”At … Continue reading →

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The F Word

Posted on February 28, 2026 by sputterpub

The random chat last night was, in a word,a contest, for the longest piece of speech.He offered up the “antidis…” he heardat school (3rd grade) that peers will ever teach.I told him that and tech terms are absurd,and shared with … Continue reading →

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Alleviation

Posted on February 26, 2026 by sputterpub

Succeeding minor stressors, things improved.The stink of rotting rodent was suppressed.Anxiety a loved one marked, that movedhim to feel overwhelmed, no longer messedhis attitude. The rain was not recessedbut transit ran. And though the final blockI walked in drenching storm, … Continue reading →

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Pause

Posted on February 25, 2026 by sputterpub

I wish he had less stress and she less grief,but there’s not much for either I can do –they’re grown and have to manage their relief.I start to fret, and then admit that’s true.If I were dead, they’d find their … Continue reading →

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An Inventory Story

Posted on February 22, 2026 by sputterpub

The funerals in movies I have seenoccur on rainy days, beneath a skyas dark as mourning clothes, and with the sheenof fallen water on umbrellas highabove bowed heads. But ours was winter greenon grass, caressed by sunlight, and each eyelooked … Continue reading →

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Her Ring

Posted on February 21, 2026 by sputterpub

This ring I took, by right. I wasn’t bold.She asked me many times to take a lookand after all, when life had lost its hold,this ring I took. Expected death is leaving no one shook;a century is more than most … Continue reading →

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About Company

Posted on February 19, 2026 by sputterpub

I’ve always liked my solitude, it’s true,but I’ve my room and nothing much forbidsme spending time with others – 2, 2, 2 –my parents once, my brothers, and my kids.I have relationships that do me good,and maybe that’s why I … Continue reading →

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