Category Archives: Home

Replacing Plates

They list as “saucer” what’s a mini-plate,without a rim in which a cup can sit.I owned a stack of them, and found them greatfor whisking vinaigrettes, appropriateconveyers for my snacks. But stoneware fateis fall-and-break, or cracks that make them quit.In … Continue reading

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Fernality

A month ago, the ferns beneath the treewere old and rusty-looking, so he choppedthem down, and left brown clumps for me to see.I moved toward him as if I would have stoppedhis shears, but then he pointed to the weeand … Continue reading

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Prunus

I woke to petals scattered on the deck,and raised my gaze to note the floweringthat seemed to open overnight – each specka sign that still surprises every spring,a harbinger of fruit the weeks will bringthat only birds and squirrels want … Continue reading

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Remnants

I heard some clunks against my eastern wall.I woke but turned and soon returned to sleep.Nocturnal yardmates sometimes race or sprawl,and often use those drainpipes as they creepfrom roof to fence to deck to hunt, by crawlor pounce, and fight … Continue reading

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Like a Traffic Cone

The crate appeared last week and blocked the path.My neighbor’s name was on it, but insideit was a puzzle. Though I took a bathbefore I left, the box did not subside,and it still towered unidentifieduntil the morning light revealed, unpacked,an … Continue reading

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Detritus

The storms last week were not as scary hereas forecasters announced they’d likely be.I’m sure they’re right about the atmosphere,the power outages, accounts of treecollapse, but individuals appearless devastated than reports. It’s clearI’d better trust what I can hear and … Continue reading

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