Line Work
We always talk about the rollercoaster but never the line. The feet-hurting, yawn-inducing yawn to get to the crescendo that will make life worth doing. This year was the line. I don't remember much of anything of this year except that I had a mental breakdown and that I had to go to a mental hospital. The result has been a hellish three months of trying to get back to some form of normalcy. Even sitting and writing this feels like standing in an 85 minute wait line on a balmy summer day at an amusement park. This year ended with a bang and I am hoping the finish will be better than where I am right now.
Compost Heap
debris
of dead leaves
grass cuttings
hair, fruit rinds,
vegetable peels
tea bags, coffee grounds
organic gold
garbage to most
with underlying heat
the mound creates
spontaneous combustion
of peaceful adjacent
gardens
Cared for properly
and turned to process
healthy mediums
arise,
transformation occurs
Otherwise
the covered stench
permeates
all
2022
Overflowing
porto-potty
the last day
of the state fair
the hottest August
ever
with buzzing nipping
horse flies
and no toilet paper
except the blue and urinate soaked debris
stuck to the floor.
It was like sodomizing hornets net. It was like suicide condemned to be repeated because of improper execution.
A Year of War
ii The Heart
I chose myself
not mostly,
not just close to,
100%
I came home
i The Homefront
I knew what we were in for
as soon as Gramma collapsed
at the Scrabble board
iii The Heroes
If you take to the front lines,
do it online
Don't hurt anybody.
Like your forebearers, commit global freedom
Canada didn't try out for the team this year.
We gave handouts instead.We slapped wrists?
We were preoccupied with the royals. What? No.
No, not Andrew
iv The Horror
Can we call it what it is Now? Or
are we still Cuttingwomendownnothingnew
Drown out the top 40's newsreels
for a bit. Have a moment of silence
For Afghan, Arab and Persian Humans
Who are not fighting for freedom, they're dying.
Individuals on the ground because we can't SAY
with a resounding STOP! Not another person
goes missing. Not another girl cut. No, you may not
call your God.
To Israel and the rest of the Free World,
you Know who you are. I see your bravery
The whole of middle Earth
is ready for Your light, for
reality. Eyes to see
unclouded by monarchy
unshrouded by theocracy
unbound, what message must we
send the Saudis?
No Law but Freedom
Nothing God-given
No Modesty. Just Pride
in commitment to self-actualization
Absolutely. No. Sacrifice.
China, I...
still imagine Tibet's hills sometimes
I would climb those mountains in reverence
not to governance and order, but to goodness and grace. I know. I know I remember
the Michaels. No. I can't see you right now. Thanks
v. The Horcrux
Putin,
it wasn't the crack down on dissidence
the obstruction of justice, it wasn't the freezing of assets,
The saddest part about your whole war
was when children's Tylenol
ran out. What? Oh, wait. that was for Justin.
The year 2022 has been like if eating food didn't make you gain weight, but made you lose weight instead. It's been a magical journey of exploration and growth both for me physically and mentally. I've grown as a writer and as a person, while not really straining myself too much. The "food" that I'm eating to "lose weight" hasn't been detrimental to me so much as it's been helpful for me. 2022 has been one of the best years I've lived in a while. I'm ready to eat more food and lose weight in 2023...