Category Archives: Poetry

Number

Posted on March 1, 2026 by sputterpub

When I was 12 or so, I liked the pool,adored the beach, and flourished at the lake.In southern California, after school,on weekends, and each summer we would taketo water, moving till our limbs were loose,our bodies empty, and we felt … Continue reading →

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

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 →

Posted in Family, Language, Lessons, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Chilly Morning

Posted on February 27, 2026 by sputterpub

At half past 5 I rose to start the heat.That’s something that I’ve never done before.But age has made me shiver, and the feetof February walk with even morechill temperature than usual. We’re poorwithstanding cold; our windows are not storm.I … Continue reading →

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

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 →

Posted in Family, Home, Poetry, Transit, Weather | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

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

Angling

Posted on February 24, 2026 by sputterpub

I’m casting back to 43 years old,the age my youngest is, and as I lookaround for recollections lines might hold,I feel I need some substance for the hook.I may not find good memories to bookunless my research yields what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Cognition, Poetry, Writing | Tagged | Leave a comment

After 45 Years

Posted on February 23, 2026 by sputterpub

While bagging life detritus with a friend,we reminisced about our younger daysin San Francisco – hours we would spendin bars, at toothsome lunches, our foraysfor pleasure after work, when we’d intendavoiding what home held. It was a phasewe savor, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Family, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

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 →

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

On a School Strike That Settled Just After this Draft

Posted on February 20, 2026 by sputterpub

I hope the strike has ended when next weekI post this little stanza of eight lines.Here’s wishing teachers get most things they seek,and there’s a pause to hearing parent whines.The issues aren’t puzzling or unique;the kids are only missing Valentines.The … Continue reading →

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