Death is a cat Creeping on silent fur paws Death is a dog Gouging the floor with its claws Death is a calm day Dappled light in the glare Death is a hurricane When cars take to the air Death is a bicycle Gliding silently through Death is a dump truck Speed bump hopping near … Read moreDeath is Death
As a result of Profound nearsightedness And limited household affection My little kid self Thrilled Whenever my ophthalmologist Raised his eye scope And pressed his cheek to mine. The light scent of his aftershave His calm, steady breathing The patient clicking of the viewing wheel As he looked deeper into my eyes Than anyone. When … Read moreCan You See Me Now?
The pressure to speak With nothing to say Low hanging fruit For thought leaders And game changers Hoping to move the needle and Break down the silos of Baked in growth hacks. Nonsense, of course, But is it so wrong To remain vague With blue sky thinking And nebulous stretch goals To retain the upper … Read moreInside The Loop
Liar, criminal, computer hacker Con man, manipulator, bully, truant The scourge of Chicago Flouting the law With a smug smile Dragging along his fellows For a dine and dash A frightening joy ride A reckless parade float crash Thrilled by the risk of capture And near misses Convinced his wit and charm Will rescue him … Read moreOn The Path of Ruin
The end of December brings my birthday and the annual notable deaths wrap-up of expired celebrities, scientists, politicians, and famous ne’er-do-wells. I usually forgot most were still alive. I check the ages, and most are reassuringly far from mine. But some are much too close. Will my life merit a notable death? Do I have … Read moreAnother Annual Review
The Facebook like. The happy birthday text. The ghost of a relationship long passed. Who are you now? No idea, really. When I knew you a million years ago the friendship seemed important and possibly meaningful. School-enforced proximity brought daily sightings, hellos, jokes, sometimes lunches, and always parties. Now? An itch of guilt soothed by … Read moreWeed of Loyalty
I never knew terror until her arrival. People exaggerated, I thought. The fat rolls and giggling, then crawling with gusto. A smile so sweet, never before seen on earth. Then, sitting at the table unafraid of any food, refusing help to leave her chair. Pigtails and running with glee on tiptoes to foil the Tickle … Read moreThe Gooey Center
Call me Ishmael, or Ishy for short. Winter is tough for me. I always feel a little down, which aggravates my acid reflux. I’d like to get away somewhere with a sunny beach, but I’m between gigs and unemployment won’t fund a vacation. I saw ads for work on a fishing boat, which sounds perfect. … Read more[email protected]
My parent’s mountain cabin Hides a secret trail Along a secret stream A delicious escape from the dusty Heat of summer Cool spring water burbles Over granite stones and boulders Sand sparkles in the pools Between fallen trees Ferns grow tall along the path Soothed by the light spray And protected by giant pines Bright … Read moreLike Something You’ve Never Seen
What’s your favorite color? My environmental receptors Perceive energy at all wavelengths Some of which humans have Divided Into seven adorable categories radio microwave infrared optical ultraviolet x-ray and gamma ray. What humans call Color Occurs in the so-called optical range A grossly unscientific name Since many animals perceive far beyond it. Energy is a … Read moreThe (AI) Critic