Tag Archives: Poetry

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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 →

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

On the Street

Posted on March 14, 2026 by sputterpub

He wasn’t pleased I didn’t deign to pauseand let him canvass me to give or sign.His “don’t you care about black women” clauseexasperated me. I can refineobjection – I don’t quarrel with the cause –but I object to wasted words. … Continue reading →

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

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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Lilies

Posted on March 12, 2026 by sputterpub

A former neighbor carved our yard, contouredthe square of weedy dirt between our doors,and planted chosen foliage: assuredto us a garden here. She moved away,but her design and many shrubs endured,and I esteem her work, and volunteersthat found the ground … Continue reading →

Posted in Flora, Home, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Recess

Posted on March 11, 2026 by sputterpub

I thought I’d dedicate today to rest –no exercise or writing, no commute.I’d be a sedentary girl – at best,I might acquire birthday gifts or fruit.But I have time – the shelf’s not destitute,and anniversaries are days away.I liked the … Continue reading →

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Catarrh?

Posted on March 10, 2026 by sputterpub

I used to know exactly how a coldproceeds in me, from throat to nose to chest.But unpredictable is growing old –less often ill but more allergic, messedin joint and hand strength, prone to bruise, cajoledby recollection. Am I sick? I … Continue reading →

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In Early March

Posted on March 9, 2026 by sputterpub

The rain surprise at 5 a.m. was nice –a patter on the skylight as I drowsed –and then again at 7:30 – twice,an unpredicted more-than-drizzle rousedme to variety. I gave adviceto self alone, and bided dryly houseduntil the laden coastal … Continue reading →

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Discordance

Posted on March 8, 2026 by sputterpub

A conversation Thursday night revealedour different comprehensions of a term.The morning afterward enlarged the field –a friend insisted, vehemently firm,we both were wrong. That evening I appealedto yet a fourth. He guessed, until a germof dictionary definition grew.Apparently none understood. … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognition, Language, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment

Historiculture

Posted on March 7, 2026 by sputterpub

As pages mount, the fruit of daily draft,they water shoots of memory, from seedsimplanted in soft banks that guide a raftdown streams that swell with melt no dam impedes.The passages reveal as work proceeds;now differences in characters appear.I plan to … Continue reading →

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Sold

Posted on March 6, 2026 by sputterpub

At last the sign went up. It’s been 4 yearsthe owner tried to sell the rooms he boughtto house a law school daughter. It appearsthe price he pitched was high. It never broughtan offer. And the summer atmospheresfor sales were … Continue reading →

Posted in Neighborhood, Poetry | Tagged | Leave a comment