on Read a Book Day

I love swimming, but I have crappy breath control. When I was training regularly, it embarrassed me: I breathe every third arm-motion, which for a swimmer is like panting hard when strolling around your block. With focus and intention, I could get up towards five strokes, but real swimmers breathe once a length. Pay attention […]

Sometimes the fizz is fine

Today is in the process of being a long day. -and- This term, Tuesdays have shaped up to be the present-progressive of long days.   Yesterday, as I was looping through the house all evening—housekeepers came today, plus the ripples from the Big Rock of Vacation Aftermath hadn’t yet subsided—I noticed that my insides were […]

To be glad to do it anyway

“It was difficult; it was hard, and I wanted to quit, but I’m glad I did it anyway.” —Austin Goldberg, on Productive Flourishing’s episode on the Wayfinding Academy) I have done this. I have felt this. But not in a while. Well, there’s hiking the Harding Ice Field trail two weeks ago, but the glad […]

Vespers / Louise Glück

I know what you planned, what you meant to do, teaching me to love the world, making it impossible to turn away completely, to shut it out completely ever again— it is everywhere; when I close my eyes, birdsong, scent of lilac in early spring, scent of summer roses: you mean to take it away, […]

Prayer / James Galvin

O, beginning, daughters of the earth await the sons of heaven, and vice versa. They all practice trigger-happiness and chicken scratch. They practice duration and meltdown. They primp in your glass. You think that’s funny? Never mind. It’s getting really cold in here. Who makes the introductions if not you? Who initiates the bliss, I […]

(no title) / Christina Rossetti

Lord, dost Thou look on me and will not I Launch out my heart to Heaven to look on Thee? Here if one loved me I should turn to see, And often think on him and often sigh, And by a tender friendship make reply To love gratuitous poured forth on me, And nurse a […]

Six Apologies, Lord / Olena Kalytiak Davis

I Have Loved My Horrible Self, Lord. I Rose, Lord And I Rose, Lord, And I, Dropt. Your Requirements, Lord. ‘Spite Your Requirements, Lord, I Have Loved The Low Voltages Of The Moon, Lord, Until There Was No Moon Intensity Left, Lord, No Moon Intensity Left For You, Lord. I Have Loved The Frivolous, The […]