Monthly Archives: May 2014

Graduation Day

Graduation Day 1. When Deirdre is ten she has a goldfish that dies. Actually she has about 12 goldfish and they all die except this one she calls Goldie. This one fish lives a long time and gets fat. He gets so fat he is too big for his tank. One day while she isContinue reading “Graduation Day”

Hat

 You were wearing this hat that made you look like a kid. Your car keys hung round your neck on a child’s lanyard. It was dark and you stood with one black boot pointed at the door, telling me that you were going and don’t worry and you’d be back, later. It’s raining I said. NoContinue reading “Hat”

Vanilla Ice Cream

Yesterday it occurred to me that if we don’t want our kids to do a certain thing then maybe we just shouldn’t do it. Like for example, if I don’t’ want my kid to eat vanilla ice cream then I just won’t eat the flipping vanila ice cream. I won’t sneak around eating it or goContinue reading “Vanilla Ice Cream”

The Poetry of Harriet the Spy

I write often about grief and loss but today looking through quotes from one of my favorite books, Louise Fitzhugh’s 1964 classic, Harriet the Spy, I noticed some of the most beautiful poetry throughout. Here is something I wanted to share: “WHEN SOMEBODY GOES AWAY THERE’S THINGS YOU WANT TO TELL THEM. WHEN SOMEBODY DIES MAYBEContinue reading “The Poetry of Harriet the Spy”

Reseda

Between the broccoli and the curry comes the flash and disappearance. Then the wondering, what’s next? The screams, like a tsunami’s wail just out of sight. The pain, better, when it comes,  has bright hard dimensions like a gutted swimming pool. All I have to do is climb  this side to that. It’s not like the waiting, which isContinue reading “Reseda”

Fried Eggs

She had this operation but they never told me what she’d look like after. So I tried not to look but I think she knew. Later when I saw her I had to pretend. I had to sort out where to lay my eyes when she was in the room, but hers were flat onContinue reading “Fried Eggs”

green glasses on a tuesday

your vinyl skin your plastic eyes you doll you the pads of my fingers fold softly beneath the puff of your high quality vinyl cheek my beer soaked rough lined lips fold around the curve of your bow mouth and your forgiveness keeps me while your Barbie love surrounds me and i am yours

Coming of Age in the City of Angels

Once I cried but now I don’t. Once I hurt But now I won’t. Time I gave But now I take. Once I loved but now I hate. I told them no They call me bad. I told them yes They call me mad. Built a wall of stars So full of shame To keepContinue reading “Coming of Age in the City of Angels”

Adrian McKinty’s THE SUN IS GOD

Adrian McKinty’s THE SUN IS GOD I am a tremendous fan of Irish literature. To be fair, I am probably unusually obsessed with Irish murder mysteries. But I have to insist that it is not the Irishness of the stories as much as it is the quality of the writing. I have found a number ofContinue reading “Adrian McKinty’s THE SUN IS GOD”

Secrets and Lies

Secrets and Lies The Secret Place: A New Novel by Tana French- Discussion by Declan Burke Tana French is one of my favorite authors. Her stories are delicious and poetic and I’ve been looking forward to the next book for quite a while. For anyone who is interested in the genre and has not readContinue reading “Secrets and Lies”

Scissors

A laugh with the boys Ribs getting a poke A run round the place She can’t take a joke He always said He don’t like short hair Why the hell would she cut it She’s puttin on airs His words she keep saying do nothin’ but cut like a serrated scissors just tear up herContinue reading “Scissors”

Reaching for L

You are talking about science class and                                                                    I am watching the way your hair curves  past your chin without touching it.   You are talking about prom dresses and   I see the way your upper lip curls   seashell like over your teeth as you speak.  You are talking about boys, one boy,  and   I am watching the way your feet dance Continue reading “Reaching for L”

The Curse of Helena

When moonless night the wind does blow  And curls your fist into  its bow. When arrow sharp my name appears To  slice through flesh of both your ears. When Fire’s warmth  on bended knee  Begs couple your heart’s savage freeze, And you deny, but shed a tear In memory of lost love so dear. WhenContinue reading “The Curse of Helena”