Journalism


Read my enRoute cover story here.

Poetry

Read my three poems in Danse Macabre here.

Dear Round-Headed Kid

Although your services as
Dinner Provider and Chocolate Chip Cookie Supplier
have been adequate,
I must protest the lack of amenities
in my outdoor shelter.

I hereby propose a solution
which I hope you will deem satisfactory.

If you will allow me to reside
within your indoor shelter
I promise to go along with
your delusion that I am only a dog.

When others are present,
I will bark and wag my tail.
However, I draw the line at
doing demeaning things such as dog tricks.

In exchange, I expect the following concessions:
1. A laptop computer on which I can write my novel.
2. Use of your bed. You may share it with me.
3. Only the finest quality, home-baked cookies.

My solicitor will notify you when the contract is ready.

Yours truly,
Snoopy Beagle

(in memory of Charles Schulz)

Free Zone Quarterly, Spring 2002

Embroidery

Pile your words
ceiling-high, if you dare.
Your excuses are embroidered cliches.
Humiliating.
Useless.

Some day you may wish to take back
your insults
your lies
your ghosted heart.

But you can't reupholster
a marriage hard as
a sleazy motel mattress

even if you
needlepoint "I'm sorry"
a hundred times
in rainbow colours
on a pillow
you can throw at the wall
when you receive
the Decree Absolute.

Free Zone Quarterly, Summer 2001, winner of Virtual Photo Gallery contest

Plane Crashes, No Survivors

grief

for ourselves
alone, so alone
a father, a brother,
an uncle, a friend

raw pain scorches
no tears left
a gaping hole
where there once was a heart

*****

regret

half-empty album for
daughters on tricycles
bridal bouquets
and grandchildren's hugs

novels unfinished
cases untried
missing puzzle pieces
will never be found

*****

memory

remembering Jim
a laugh sent by email
my Internet friend
who wrote gorgeous prose

quest for adventure
beyond the next cloud
exuberant pilot
will soar forever

In memory of Jim Osborn (1948-1997)

Plastered

invented new sport
figure skating on carpet --
cast as her trophy



Helicopter

rotors slice the sky
spinning silver, top and back--
roaring, it ascends



Hawaii Uh-Oh

pineapple dreaming
coconut falls on my head --
mournful pueo



Revenge

evil black squirrel
voracious tulip muncher --
dinner for my owl