Category Archives: Family

Equipping

Posted on April 7, 2024 by sputterpub

On Easter eve we made a team of 3,equipping baskets for the family(although no one’s religious, very young,or needing sugar raiment for the tongue).The oldest would have rather done without,but watched my daughter’s face suffuse with doubtpotentially resentful, or at … Continue reading →

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

Aged Appetite/Mulish Mind

Posted on March 31, 2024 by sputterpub

She wants a burger every time we trya restaurant we haven’t been to yet.The menu has some options that could fly,but she’s uncomfortable – her mind gets seton ordinary fare, and she’ll forgetthat sandwich is too loaded to be fun.She’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Family, Food, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Brother’s Gift

Posted on March 27, 2024 by sputterpub

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

Fortnight

Posted on March 25, 2024 by sputterpub

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

Birth Order

Posted on March 20, 2024 by sputterpub

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

New Words

Posted on March 16, 2024 by sputterpub

Of course the kids are lovable and bright,but one, who here is nameless, rings my bell.They each caught how to build a sentence rightbut this one utters language awesome well.If they have an idea but don’t know quitethe term to … Continue reading →

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

After Three and a Half Days

Posted on March 12, 2024 by sputterpub

Self-conscious after surgery, and moreinclined to stay inside than normally(although he’s always liked his bedroom floorand often opts to play internally),I spent some hours in his company,in talk as usual and loving play.I don’t claim that the cure was purely … Continue reading →

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

Minor Surgery

Posted on March 9, 2024 by sputterpub

The surgery was recommended now.A minor operation on a kid –enlargement and a skin graft to allowreception of more sound. The parents didconsent – I had no power to forbidand wouldn’t have. But what a stressful day.The hours dragged. I … Continue reading →

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

Judgment from a Childless Friend

Posted on March 1, 2024 by sputterpub

Although we didn’t plan the pregnancy,we welcomed it with pride and gratitude.And 8 months later, we learned how to beengaged in work more vital than we dreamed –an unremitting labor: infancyto kid to teen, unglamourous and tough.Of course there were … Continue reading →

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

The Ice Vignette

Posted on February 16, 2024 by sputterpub

Sam wanted water from the fridge, and notthe tap with ice cubes that I offered him.The bottle was too buried to be got,and I declined to cater to his whim.“Just get some cubes,” I said. Then Lila triedto open up … Continue reading →

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