Read

My flash Golden Years is up at Salome this week.

Give

The Yarn Harlot is at it again, this time spurring us all to dig into our pockets and give whatever we can to Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian group that works tirelessly to bring medical aid to those in need all over the world.

As I get older, I realize how ephemeral 'stuff' is - books, movies, gadgets, toys. True, lasting satisfaction comes from touching the lives of others in positive ways. I like to get 'stuff' as much as the next person. I like to give even more.

Knit

I am

mother

of two daughters

two sparklers popping bright and loud

two semi-colons connecting past and future
two examples of X + Y = all the stars of the universe
and a ponytail bouncing like laughter uncoiled

poet

with words flailing mustard and carbonic acid
rhythm-seeking missiles squirming in my pockets
all the flavors of chocolate on my tongue
as I stand at the bookstore checkout with 2 volumes of haiku
and a magazine of free verse, declaring myself to the cashier
like a traveler coming through Customs

wife, sister, daughter, friend

I am what you choose to call me, what I choose to call myself
though sometimes I imagine I an outside these arms, these legs,
these mysterious stretches of skin marked with the scars of 40 years.
I am one small container for a soul, one huge heart echoing yours
and yours

human

weak sometimes
sometimes strong
fond of folly and small orange kittens
quiet except when I'm loud
exploring the continuum of boredom
expanding the meanings of busy
striving
striving
striving

I am the smile in the dark.
What are you?