Studied Shamans in anthropology in college interested in learning and participating in a local drum circle saw a flier for an evening  in a semi-private location decided to come a little early to sit in and observe followed my nose, the incense burning Ponderosa Pine…

I can’t imagine what we looked like to the tourists in their cars as they pass by. To the other locals who knew the labor of picking coffee, they thought to themselves: better you than me. We were dirty and tired, Tired, because we woke…

Christmas cookies fresh out of a pan Couldn’t be done without help from the clan Topped with peppermint or strawberry jam Makes me already think of Christmas Ham The aunts and the cousins all around the table Everyone helps who is able They bring extra…

They came in, one by one, well dressed, in colors and glitter with music and hugs. Dirges and laments flowed, eulogies were said. It was a merry goodbye.

There was no sun nor hint of sun, though there was not a cloud in the sky. It was a clear day, and yet there seemed an intangible pall over the face of things, he couldn’t  help to smile a subtle gloom that made the…

A Congregation   We gather together to worship the Lord We are His body bought with His sacrifice We worship Him with hymns and praise music We worship Him with prayer.   We are brothers and sisters in Christ We are people from all walks…

A swallowed smile. A tickle in my throat. A hiccup in my chest. A trampoline in my belly. All the ways you make me feel silly and young and alive.

I, Phylippa, have been sold. I have been bought, bride-price levied, and dressed for my husband. I have been poked and prodded from the herd, and chosen worthy of the laird. I, Phylippa, have been used. My mother’s voice, veiled head bowed, whispering, “Don’t be…

Once I said: I have become ridiculously crowd adverse since the pandemic She said: It is weird out there. Later She said: Misogyny, apathy, and fear about sexuality in general runs very, very, very deep. All the more reason I’ve been finding myself retreating from…

Whisky over rocks wind chimes sway with the moon dance Hearts hum and tremble