I cannot sleep and the 3 am train is passing invisible through Kingstree while our white cat Lilly rubs against me and begs for food

I hope this weekend to leave the stress of work behind, no matter what I've done right or wrong, to really internalize the saying, "This too… Read full post »

Consumed by worry about work again. I asked my wife if "This too will pass," and she said, of course, "Yes."  "Remember how we felt in that job 'up north.'"  Well, honestly, I don't remember the emotional pain as well as she does, she was going through a harder time with… Read full post »

why am I awake, in the middle of the night

why do I sometimes stay awake for hours

why do I patiently await

the transformation of the universe

the growth of understanding

the pure light of dawn

why do I never quit trying

to make you… Read full post »

It is not easy, breaking the addiction to plastic. this past weekend we went on a semi-vacation to NC and instead of putting it on the credit card, I took it out of our checking account--with Linda's knowledge, of course...so we can see the impact of our discretionary spending, for better… Read full post »

My wife Linda was by my side, but I think that I was focusing too much on meeting her requirements, rather than following my own rhythm. Not to say I blame her, don't get me wrong. I told her about this a few minutes ago, and she understood perfectly.

Each artist… Read full post »

I had to get up for some reason

and here I am. Surounding me

the sound of thunder

suddenly, I feel stillness

and a strange sense

of apprehension.

who or what has led me

to rise up out of bed

and write to you my… Read full post »

what to do when you bomb out

talk to a crowd and after a while

people start walking away?

and you're stumbling over your words

saying stupid and obvious things

and the more you speak

the more nervous you get

and your hands are shaking

and… Read full post »

We had a great mini-vacation in Wilmington, N.C. but my music-book event bombed. No one to blame but myself. Was it lack of sleep, a missed dose of medication, lack of preparation, or the the fact that there was a large crowd, and I felt intimidated by the challenge of presenting… Read full post »

I finally tell someone I love

she is falling down a hole

and I will not bail her out

till she gets serious help

Now I am worried

she will call any time

and scream at me, put me down

in a way that skewers me because

she… Read full post »

Headed for Wilmington, NC for a music event. On the way I am giving a homebound kid his next to last history test. I like him very much, keep telling him that things will work themselves out, pass or fail this course. At least, maybe I taught him some American history. … Read full post »

once more, the work stress comes back

fear, my fear resurfaces, and my guilt

because I have made bad decisions

that may have hurt someone

all I can do, all I can do

is be open and honest now

whatever the consequence

tell it like it is. All… Read full post »

you and me on the bed
in the semi-dark, storm raging
outside, power gone

together in peace, reading
by flashlight, nothing can harm us
now. We have been here before

I reach out my hand,
to what you call the fun side
of the bed

ask if I'm okay, and you… Read full post »

Near to twilight

a good, productive day

still have some worries

dealing with them can wait

till tomorrow

outside, the tree frogs

making their song

trying to go deeper now

having been outside myself

the shadows grow

I listen to a trilling sound

 … Read full post »

Ten questions and (at least tentative answers)...

Q. What do you write about when the well seems to have gone dry?

A. Write about the well going dry.

Q. Why does a little jealousy make me desire my wife more, but a lot drives me crazy?

A. Beats the… Read full post »

back in Asheville, NC

my wife asleep back in the room

I sit in the lobby pounding away at the keys

in dawn light

hot cup of coffee nearby

this is a creative place for me

in this art town, where we want to settle down

even bought a trailer,… Read full post »

up again at dawn

and traveling back to North Carolina

so many places I've lived

looking back, it feels like separate lives

my personality gradually transformed

but it's still me

from the first memories of childhood

to this moment in time

sometimes I think it is a miracle

just surviving to… Read full post »

Up at 5 again, listening to Billy Joel, "In the Middle of the Night," then Enya, "Who can say if your love grows..."  Once again, music and poetry lift my spirit...

We left our hose on for five days and the bill could be...Who know how much. Well, it's done...It's only… Read full post »

tired, I'm tired

but cannot sleep

I stare at a streetlight

off in the distance

now, we'll be traveling

to Georgia tomorrow

to a little town near Atlanta 

where I'll share my songs

Linda is doing better

resting body and mind

 … Read full post »

A South Carolina paper has expressed interest in seeing a couple of my short essays--with a view to publishing my work on a periodic basis. This is a breakthrough for me. I have been seeking a column writing gig for a long time. Finally, someone has shown interest in me, rather… Read full post »

I am going back through my OS blog, to glean enough material for a second book--partly prose-poetry, partly straight prose. I have been blogging here for more than a year, and I think I can honestly say that my writing has improved immeasurably. Why? Knowing my work is being read by other… Read full post »

back to the court

sky clear, clear

light of sun pure light

homeless guy sleeping on the bench

I know he is because I was homeless

the clues are obvious if you have been there

I turn my car radio down so as not to wake him

my body is in… Read full post »

My feeling is we must come together as a people. My feeling is neither liberals not conservatives nor moderates have a lock on the truth. We all have a truth to tell.

If we can avoid the tendency to demonize the opposition, we will all be better… Read full post »

Happy 4th...

Let us never forget it is freedom and justice FOR ALL, not only the rich/powerful.

Let us not forget that neither liberals, nor conservatives, nor moderates have a lock on the truth.

Each group has a truth to tell, whether it be the… Read full post »