I’m sunk into a red sports chair in the shade under the backyard maple. The site of the Great Lilac Massacre is behind me and in front is the home of the baby bluebird murders. In my mind, I still see the blood-splashed walls and little pecked heads. The grandgirl no longer plays softball, […]
God, Are You In . . . ?
At the end of chapter 12 (“Hospitality”) in God in the Yard, L.L. Barkat suggests a writing exercise. Begin with a simple jotting of the objects and people around you . . . Choose just one of the images and make a second list, focused particularly on the item’s attributes . . . Next, try […]
One Less Word For Lent 2015 – 29
A Hint of Things I can know you as a hint of things, like a mist that streams across the field, a slow, sacred dance in dawn’s sanctuary. Give me vision to see. Word Count: 29 All the One Word Less for Lent 2015 posts are bundled here. In the stillness, Sandy A first line […]
One Word Less For Lent 2015 – 34
The pencil’s the thing that scratches down my cor, turns me inside out. But this lead wobbles like a loose tooth. That tip is a splintered dry socket. And I can’t find a pen. Word Count: 34 All the One Word Less for Lent 2015 posts are bundled here. In the stillness, Sandy […]
Jack-knife of Many Trades
Jack-Knife of Many Trades He rapped it on the heel of his hand, then ran the blade around the edge to scrape the cake, opened the pouch and inhaled the sweetness of Red Virginia ribbons, “notes of tea and toast.” He filled the bowl by pinches, tamped it, clamped it between his teeth, lit, drew, exhaled memories that swirled in […]
Poetry Prompt: Waves
I Saw Her Standing There Hey Dude I saw her standing there in the shallows shunning your advances as you teased her toes. She twisted and turned and swayed her hips as the wind whipped hair around her face. My heart went boom when I crossed that room and I longed to sweep her into my […]
Compassion: What Makes My Blood Boil?
I stretch out under a crisp white sheet on a soft mattress, head sinking into the pillow. A student will do the procedure today. She applies the electrodes. One… two… three. “Yay, they’re warm,” I say. She cocks her head. “They are? Oh, they were sitting next to the machine.” “You should store […]
Life Through the Lens of Poetry by Elizabeth Marshall
Elizabeth Marshall, fellow Tweetspeak Poetry barista and mischief maker, shares a reflection on poetry to wind up our month of Making Manifest. Someday I’m going to meet this sweet spirit face-to-face, and I’m delighted to welcome her into this space today. Oh, and be sure to read all the way to the end… there’s […]
A Holy Awakening (Making Manifest: Week 4)
A Holy Awakening I’m sitting in the shade of the crabapple tree. The surface of the redwood picnic table is rough and weathered–like the dock. The dock that once gave me a sliver in the arch of my bare foot. The dock with benches for lakeside contemplation. Wild cranberries grew on the right, and the boat (I […]
Look. Light. by Laura Lynn Brown
I first met Laura face-to-face on a writer’s retreat at Laity Lodge where we discovered we’re both deep see divers–as in seeing deep. She makes music with her words and on her tin whistle. Some day maybe I’ll buy another harp–a small, portable one–and team up with her for a duet. Or not. […]
