Dreams

We all dream of ourselves…especially when we dream of houses, or places we live. I’ve several places I return to in my dreams repeatedly. One is a wild spring that feeds into a river and every time I dream of it it’s different. Sometimes it’s being overrun by destructive humans. Sometimes it’s wild and free.Continue reading “Dreams”

Only My Eyes

The edge of you Brushed my skin so lightly It bowled me over Hair spinning a torrent a tumbleweed Wild as the gusts that roll it And just as prickly You gave me goosebumps I wasn’t ready for And whirling to catch my breath Dry eyes dusty white I stood in place rooted, Cuts stillContinue reading “Only My Eyes”

Ocean

Just was watching an episode of 1883 and reached a part (no spoilers) of a character dying when they shouldn’t. In grief, their partner sat beside their grave with a gun in their hand, wishing to join them. Then came the captain of the wagon train and he said something I likely will never forget:Continue reading “Ocean”

From Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston

“Last semester, when I asked my class, as I do each quarter, how many of them had ever spent a night sleeping in the wilderness the answer was zero, and I realized for the first time in my teaching life I might be standing in front of a room full of students for whom theContinue reading “From Deep Creek: Finding Hope in the High Country by Pam Houston”

Is it heartless

In the morning I wipe the sleep from my eyes, thanking my brain for not dreaming of her. And it feels good and right that I have habits that are mine and only mine and don’t come from our time together. Even so she’s still there, when I look at my hair growing in fromContinue reading “Is it heartless”

“Almost none of us commit suicide, and almost all of us self-destruct.”

It’s a cold and breezy morning here, wind is blustering in grey clouds and there’s a chill in the air that belongs on green Irish moors, not Texas in (almost) April. This morning I’m introspective and for the first time in weeks I didn’t wake with an overwhelming dread, anxiety closing off the world aroundContinue reading ““Almost none of us commit suicide, and almost all of us self-destruct.””

Fingernails black with soil

Last weekend I spent half a day clearing out old growth and weeds and grass overtaking my little garden beds. It felt right that when the sun was shining and warm, after quite a bit of rain, that I pull and dig and carry countless armfuls of bracken from the beds. That I pull offContinue reading “Fingernails black with soil”

Loss of a family

I miss my parents tonight. Growing up a Jehovah’s Witness they were my entire world. Our little congregation was all I knew. My father, a pilot, a machinist, a pirate, a fascinating big-hearted man. My mother a hippie, nature-loving, passionate, creative artist. All of course within the confines of the expectations of the religion. MyContinue reading “Loss of a family”

Barbed girl

I started this while still living in Idaho with my wifey. Before I left my future and everything else we were building. Leaving behind that anchoring thought, leaving her, I never wanted. Until I realized that I was making a choice between being near my son as he grew into manhood and being with someoneContinue reading “Barbed girl”