Ten Questions About Ukraine
2022 already seemed a grim year. Now we've added the [...]
Summer Rain
Living in a tacky tract house On the mean streets [...]
Bird (7 variations)
1. 2. Down in the valley, A red bird sings [...]
Goin’ Down Slow
"I have had my fun If I don't get well [...]
Coming to Grips With the Insurrection
As we begin 2022, we're not lacking for challenges. There's [...]
Good Riddance
2021, a dreadful year Not to be lamented 365 days [...]
Mean Old World (2021)
As I write this end-of-the-year column, I'm reminded of the [...]
Love Came Calling
In the dark of night Love rapped on my door [...]
Friendship
"Between friends there is no need for justice, but people [...]
Should We Worry About Inflation?
On November 10th it was announced that the consumer price [...]
Two Coyotes
Two coyotes near the house One taking a nap in [...]
Lessons from Virginia
The results of the November 2nd elections were not good [...]
Time (Marches On)
The older I get The more refined My sense of [...]
How to Write a Country & Western Hit
RULES 1. Start with tragedy. If your life is going [...]
View from the Barricades: The Labor Market
If you're confused by the state of the US economy, [...]
You Can’t Run Away from Death
Oh you can't run away from death No time to [...]
Extreme Measures
A recent Washington Post Robert Kagan oped (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/23/robert-kagan-constitutional-crisis/) says what [...]
18 Worries
I'm worried about fires. Fortunately, it just rained. I'm worried [...]
What Did We Learn From the California Recall?
(Red = "no on recall" county.) The September 14, 2021, [...]
The New Civil War
On September 14th, Californians will decide whether to recall Governor [...]
Trust Exercises
I'll hold her. Wow She's beautiful Tiny. You're standing. Go [...]
Afghanistan: 10 Takeaways
On August 30th, The United States military left Afghanistan. This [...]
Foggy, Foggy Dew
In days of old We damned the fogs Made summers [...]
The Tragedy of Afghanistan
National telethons used to be an annual event. (The longest [...]
Biden’s Infrastructure Win
On March 31st, President Joe Biden introduced his infrastructure plan, [...]
The Dumpster Blues
Lost my baby at the dumpster As I stashed my [...]
New Friend
"If I tell you something, will you keep it secret?" [...]
Circe on the Beach
Falling out of sleep into the sea. Flailing. Dragged down [...]
The Ballad of MaryLu
[Sung to the tune "Big John."] In the Occidental morning [...]
Biden’s First Six Months
So far, Joe Biden's presidency has been a success. Most [...]
Erosion
In my youth I regarded death as a Time clock [...]
Global Climate Change
The most recent Gallup Poll indicates that American voters have [...]
Biden’s Infrastructure Strategy
On March 31st, President Joe Biden introduced his infrastructure plan, [...]
Tough Love
It was hard Visiting her in jail. Prison clothes No [...]
A Tale of Two Countries
In 1859 Charles Dickens wrote: “It was the best of [...]
Hieroglyph
6am Rain streaks our bedroom window The outside world is [...]
Après Trump, Le Déluge
DT won't go away! The most recent Quinnipiac Poll ( [...]
I am the Light of the World
Just as long as I’m in this world, I am [...]
Polarization in California
The most recent Quinnipiac Poll (https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3810) illustrates how polarized the [...]
Special Handling
In the ministry of lost souls My assignment is Special [...]
California’s Water Crisis
Global Climate Change affects every part of the United States. [...]
No Depression in Heaven
1. Hard times Sometimes you see 'em coming Sometimes they [...]
When Will America Get Back to Work?
One year ago, as it became clear the United States [...]
Kathy in the Hot Tub
As the morning fog glides over Coleman Valley Kathy initiates [...]
What Happens Next?
Six months have passed since the fateful November 3rd presidential [...]
Love Limericks
A poet named Bob Wrote love poems on the job [...]
It’s the Jobs, Stupid!
Judging from the amount of political email I've been receiving, [...]
Subversive Verse
"Poets, come out of your closets, Open your windows, open [...]
What’s Happening in California?
After a rough year, California is on track to declare [...]
Writing Craft
The craft of writing We learn from pain Prepare as [...]