Massive blows to the environment, like Chernobyl, like Exxon Valdez, like Love Canal, are nothing. Shrinkage is the true disaster, the constant chip, chip, chipping, that turns nature into pavement. We move a rock, we cut down a tree, we
Noah and the Raven
Noah’s ark floated off on torrential rain, until only the water and sky remained. and after waiting 40 days for the floods to slow, no sand, no pebbles, and no boulders showed. As Noah floated aimlessly in an endless sea,
There Is No Breeze
There is no breeze. Plants wilt and droop. The underside of dying leaves signal distress. There is no breeze. Flies collapse and sulk as panting dogs lie in the shade. The birds are silent. There is no breeze. Worms ooze
A Rose by Any Other Name
As the hot star rose in the east, I left my padded platform and layers of warm textiles, and headed for the room of body cleaning equipment. There I rubbed antibacterial suds on my body, put a fluoride-laced concoction on
Man vs Machine
When you need work done do you need man or machine? A machine gives you precision, speed, endurance. A Man can’t match that, but a Man can take pride, adjust, improvise. Depend on a machine until
You Die
You die, but the sun rises. You expire, and salmon run upstream. You give out, as another baby is born, You pass away, while it rains over the desert. You perish, as a wolf barks at the moon. You exit, and
Striving for Mediocre
I never really tried to excel. Too much work, too competitive, too difficult. But neither did I let myself fail. No fun losing, no fun being laughed at, no fun feeling inferior. So mediocre it was. It was safe, it
Death by Gut-busting
Everyone is going to die, the only question is how. At one time, I thought I might: Die of loneliness, but then I met the love of my life. Die of boredom, but then I won a trip to Vegas.
Everything Changes With Time
When you are born, time is nothing but bright and dark, day and night. A constant progression of on, then off. Then comes school and time becomes hour to hour, five days followed by two days, nine months of discipline,
I See Him
I see him. Hoodlum. What’s with the ball cap on backwards, the low slung pants, hiding in that sweatshirt. I see him. Old fart. Shirt buttoned up to the top, belt missing a loop, white socks with sandals. I hate
Piss on You!
My knee is worn, the grease is gone. Just mush. The cartilage now marshmallow fluff. Carpal tunnel. My fingers numb with a terrible tingle. Haven’t opened a jar, a door, a bottle of beer, in weeks. Plantar heal stops me
Sam
Sam has his bad points, and Sam has his good points. Sam sheds, is rambunctious, is a lot to handle, unruly, he farts, doesn’t listen, chews on everything, lives by his own rules. But Sam loves us. So Sam stays.
I Used to Hike
I used to hike on paths of dirt, mud, snow. Striding over rocks and slipping on ice. Now I walk on concrete, or maybe asphalt with cracks and curbs and potholes filled with water. In the forest I watched for
Different Lives
Went to the dealership to pickup my new car, a silver Bentley with leather seats. I’d have preferred a golden bronze with ostrich skin, but you can’t have everything. Went over to my neighbors to look at buying his pickup,
I Only Work 15 Minutes a Year
I get mugged every time I go to work. My brain is temporarily useless when my head snaps back, and I am rendered snotless. I show up and huge thugs run at me full speed, smash me until my eyes