'…a major destabilizing influence'
I have a friend who had a big dream recently that was full of apocalyptic symbolism. In her dream there were catamounts prowling the city streets. It was very ominous because nobody could be sure where they were going to appear next. They would manifest on a crosswalk and vanish just as they do …
Continue reading “How living under the pandemic has changed me as a writer”
So the smiling little boy stared up with lots of no cynicism His eyes like newly hatched birdies in first sun His teeth unknowing of guile At the nice Caucasian lady bending over his All-American Japanese-ness A plump go-to-church lady angry enough To believe in Christ Billowy floral dress perfume sweat It’s-all-right arm around his …
Covid-19, you have done a number on me as a poet! For that I am cautiously grateful. I don’t think I can ever get back to My old pre-Covid relationship to poetry Even if I wanted to, Which I’m not sure I do. The pandemic hasn’t made me a better poet, However that might be …
We are revisiting a poem I wrote in 2016 that was inspired by the sparrow showing up at Bernie’s rally in Portland OR titled ‘One Day in the Asylum’ But first I want to say something about poetic truth and reality. As I get older I tend to experience the world as increasingly soulful. But …
Continue reading “Greetings from Vermont on the eve of our Primary”
This teapot That I just bought Is not necessarily safe. This ceramic pot Made in China With a three year warranty Against flaws in manufacture Is not as innocent as it appears. It might leach metals. I was going to return it But that was last night. This morning I Opened the box Removed it …
You ask how I am doing Lousy There is no peace to be gained Until we figure out how to live Without bringing down the world Oh, and I’m tired I was even tired in my dream There were children living in the woods Under a plastic tarp They would come out of the woods …
Human is inhumane Greed is human Humanism is inhumane Exploitation is human Oppression is human Repression is human Torture is human Murder is human War is human Love of humanity is inhuman There are no more cracks in the wall Leonard Cohen is dead Hope is off the wall — Ron Ridenour …
I cried again this morning. Tears just burst out as I was dusting the house. I’d set Leonard Cohen’s album “The Future” on the record player to accompany my house chores. Give me back the Berlin wall Give me Stalin and St. Paul Give me Christ or give me Hiroshima Destroy another fetus now We …
Continue reading “Lament for a future in memory of Leonard Cohen”