Your Mother’s Keeper

Aug 3, 2012 | Last Line First

From the Alzheimer’s Diary Because it wasn’t ever really what you cared to do, you do it badly. You see to all the paperwork, prescriptions, petty cash for laundry and the odds and ends that keep things running. Her aides see to her body’s needs, but no one’s in...

Old Dyke’s Tale

Jul 31, 2012 | A Filament of Hope

I’m sitting with a pad and pen in Starbucks, Staring into space from where poetic inspiration Often comes as if by magic, when a gorgeous Butch Latina dyke strolls in to get a latte. In my Dreams our eyes meet and we smile in recognition, Nothing more, not cruising,...

Weekend Plans

Jul 27, 2012 | A Filament of Hope

Your mother’s body, still robust from Many years of treadmill walking, Careful eating and tai chi, Is forgetting how to hold a fork and Make her favorite chair recline. You’ve mostly gotten used to her Not knowing who you are and how She asks you every 30 minutes...

Culture Wars

Jul 25, 2012 | A Filament of Hope

You try to shoulder your way in, The grown-ups’ conversation, how They’re saying things that seem to matter, No one looking down to where you’re standing, With your hands on hips and hoping that Your furrowed brow will let you get a word in edgewise. All you want to...

Urban Adventuring, 1958

Jul 25, 2012 | A Filament of Hope

I used to scamper up the rocks as though my feet had eyes, The New York City outcrops in the parks providing Moonscapes, alpine ridges, pyramids, and pueblos. No classrooms, homework, Angry parents, bossy older brothers — Only me, a chubby tomboy, doing somersaults—...

Do-Over

Jul 24, 2012 | Last Line First

You never even knew you’d made the grade. The handbook you were given at your birth Made clear that times you get it wrong Would cancel out the times you get it right. You make your way through childhood’s bootcamp, Oftentimes confused when what they tell you Doesn’t...