writing

Gorl, You Better Fill that Canvas!

I’ve been thinking about white space. Not in the abstract, craft-book way, but in the very practical, slightly stubborn way that shows up when I’m reading. If a page looks too crowded, thick with description, heavy with detail, I can feel my attention flipping pages. It’s not that I don’t appreciate beautiful, lyrical sentences. IContinue reading “Gorl, You Better Fill that Canvas! “

Vincent in His Brother’s Arms

Now Playing: Moo by King Tuff, newly out First up, I’m delighted to share my poem “Vincent in His Brother’s Arms,” published in the inaugural issue of Two Children. I’m truly grateful to be included in this beautiful new publication alongside such thoughtful, talented writers. If you’re so inclined, I hope you’ll take a momentContinue reading “Vincent in His Brother’s Arms “

The K-Cup “Ducking”

My youngest, Zack, came bearing gifts last weekend when he stopped over to take us out for lunch. Out of his very thoughtful gifts (he will not mind if I tease him), one nearly defied storage. Have you heard of the trend of “ducking” someone? People hide dozens of tiny plastic ducks around your house,Continue reading “The K-Cup “Ducking””

Code Pink

Now Playing: Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meatloaf (The raccoon insists. Sigh.) Word Raccoon was impolite today at the thrift shop. She was in the men’s wear aisle, stroking a jacket sleeve, when a woman went by and though WR moved her cart, the woman bumped her anyway. WR must have given the womanContinue reading “Code Pink “

Muses, Musettes, and Wily Word Raccoons

Some mornings, the Muse wakes you up before you’re ready. Sometimes it’s not the capital-M Muse, the one who brings poems and revelations, but a smaller muse. An impulse. A nudge. Or a spark. I call those sparks musettes. They’re little sensory moments that might lead to writing, or might just make the day shimmer.Continue reading “Muses, Musettes, and Wily Word Raccoons”

Streaks on the Window, Poems on the Floor

Now Playing: The Game, Queen. The whole thing.(Not playing games. Just the album.) Tonight I was going to rest.I already had a blog post lined up for tomorrow: neat, tidy, ready.You’ll see that one tomorrow, because it’s already scheduled. But something happened tonight. I sat at my computer, feeling aimless, and next thing I knew,Continue reading “Streaks on the Window, Poems on the Floor”

Word Raccoon Brings Lisianthus to the Poetry Deadline. Also…

Now Playing: And So It Goes by Billy Joel. The album. Today I have flowers from a teen in a bonnet on the table, a poetry collection deadline breathing down my neck, and spoiler alert, I just ran up the stairs like it is 2017. This is the album that goes with the doc, sweeties,Continue reading “Word Raccoon Brings Lisianthus to the Poetry Deadline. Also…”

Notes from the Gravel Pit

Now Playing: “Born to Run” I am listening to Bruce Springsteen. I never listen to Bruce Springsteen. Nothing against his music, I just never have other than hearing him on the radio. But when your heart is full of gravel and grief, when you hear someone whose voice is full of it, you think, YouContinue reading “Notes from the Gravel Pit”

The Week I Get My Sh*t Together (Maybe. Definitely Not. Who knows?)

UPDATE: (WHICH HAPPENED EVEN BEFORE I POSTED THIS, BUT I LIKED THAT PART OF THE POST SO I LEFT IT: WHEN DH HEARD I WANTED RID OF THE BOXES OF MADNESS, HE GOT OUT HIS HANDTRUCK AND PUT IT ALL IN HIS VAN TO DONATE TO THE GOODWILL TOMORROW ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK!Continue reading “The Week I Get My Sh*t Together (Maybe. Definitely Not. Who knows?)”

Word Raccoon Shops for a Car, Would Rather Eat a Flip Flop

Before I get into WR’s breakfast preferences, I’m trying something new. Apparently audio poetry is what the kids are doing these days, and I wanted to give it a go. Anyway, I hope you enjoy my reading of a poem I previously posted here, “All In.” I was battling the heat, birds, a determined bee,Continue reading “Word Raccoon Shops for a Car, Would Rather Eat a Flip Flop”