Connections

Kudos to the Women's Empowerment Coalition for their Women in Art, Academia, and Community event on March 24th at WSU Vancouver. Their full day of great speakers, music, and thought provoking discussions was the best I've attended in a very long while. I was honored to be asked to read from Wind Wing and humbled by the connections I made with several interesting women. Below is a poem read that day by Cherry Muhanji that inspired all of us.

This Is My Beloved
By Walter Benton

Because hate is legislated . . . written into
the primer and testament,
shot into our blood and brain like vaccine or vitamins

Because our day of time, of hours --- and the clock-hand turns,
closes the circle upon us; and black timeless night
sucks us in like quicksand, receives us totally ---
without a raincheck or a parachute, a key to heaven or the last long look

I need love more than ever now . . . I need your love,
I need love more than hope or money, wisdom or a drink

Because slow negative death withers the world and only yes
can turn the tide

Because love has your face and body . . . and your hands are tender
and your mouth is sweet ---- and God has made no other eyes like yours.

Coffee Will Save Me

Free Market Blend
By Toni Partington

Somewhere south
in groves of beans
the flavor is born

everywhere here
in cups of paper
the flavor is tasted

it reaches your nose
travels right to
the brain
roasted beans so rich
they can connect
olfactory to saliva
without touching the lips

this is glory
the mother lode
the sweet spot
the perfect pose
the long kiss
the found penny, head’s up
the best seat in the house

this is your favorite song
the shoes on sale
the winning ticket
the snow day
the smell of lilacs
the dog’s greeting
the unexpected hug

this is the first sip
the half and half
the sugar
the cinnamon

This is morning.

Please Join Me on Thursday, April 15th, 7pm
I'll be reading from my book, Wind Wing
Paper Tiger Coffehouse
703 Grand Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98661

Catching Up

I know it is time to play catch-up --- yet, finding the energy to get things done eludes me these early days of spring. I would much rather curl up under a blanket to watch a movie or read as my list of tasks grows more crowded around me. Can one smother under a list this long?

Still, the sun peeks and I move outside to be warmed. Shock! It is cold and the sun can't seem to penetrate my skin to thaw these bones. I slump back inside and find the blanket waiting, still warm from me and the dog.

Last year was ten years long. I would be content to deal with 12 simple months.

The dog curls up to fall asleep on the blanket which has formed a cocoon around my legs. I'm stuck right here for a while longer.