A Distrubing Discovery
"Santa is going to give me everything, I justknow it."
"Yeah, of course Santa's real ... whatever.Santa is your mommy, I bet."
I opened my eyes in thedarkness, trying to make out the silhouette of my cousin.
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Carefree Summer Days?
As school comes to an end, I should be lookingforward to carefree summer days, but I am not. Instead, I realize thatmy summer will be spent working.
Two years ago, my parentsdecided it was time I got a job.
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Fall
i was such a fidgetychild.
as soon as i finished my Thanksgiving meal
i would crawlunder the table
and secretly tap everyone's feet,
playingxylophone on tasseled loafers and high heels,
a fork in my left and aspoon in my right.
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Focus: Grandparents: My Grandpa
Ever since I was only two and learning how to ride ahorse I've looked to my grandpa for guidance. In my eyes he will alwaysbe wonderful. My grandpa was a strong-willed man with an unselfishheart. He was charitable to a fault.
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Focus: Grandparents: Storm
The air
turns purple withtwilight
as my grandma and I
sit in rockers
on the screenedporch of her trailer.
I am sitting,
hands clenched,
countingthe number of miles away the storm is.
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Focus: Grandparents: The Pink Hat
Ona beautiful summer day six years ago, my grandmother and I were walkingon a Cape Cod beach. We collected shells, chased seagulls and scamperedacross the dunes. It seemed like a perfect day.
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Higher Ground
I do not claim to understand the forces that draw meto the lofty summits of mountains. Perhaps the blood of my fathercourses through my veins and entices me to seek the high, lonesomeplaces.
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Hook, Line and Sinker
Hook, line and sinker are words I have grown up with.For as long as I can remember, I have been Daddy's little fisherman.Every summer our family of five packed our lives into our maroon Volvostation wagon.
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May 16
I lean back on the stiffbench
watching shoppers as they pass under the mall'sskylight.
Trees trapped in planters grow
ignorant of theirsimulated surroundings.
I wonder about the people as they bustlepast
looking with darting eyes at me sitting alone.
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My Son
When Iwas 15 I got pregnant. I was so scared and felt so alone.
Thefirst person I told was my 17-year-old boyfriend. We didn't know how totell our parents; we knew they would be very disappointed.
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One Less Hero
"Grandpa, remember the candy in thecupboard?" I asked.
"Of course, I remember. You wouldalways hint about getting some as if you were being sneaky," hereplied.
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Rain Dance
We hurriedoutside
Clad only in our bathing suits.
With the first drops ofrain,
We gasped in anticipated shock.
Harder and harder thewater splattered
Faster and faster we twirled.
As we whippedaround in crazy circles,
The ground and sky melted into a grayblur.
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Raul
I canstill remember him wailing his own name. He would sit outside my bedroomdoor and wail until I let him in. Raauul, Raauul; that's exactly what itsounded like.
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Starry, Starry Night
I pull into the driveway, turn off the engine, get outand lock the doors. I glance at my watch and realize I'm a few minutesearly for my curfew. It's a clear night and I have time left for myself.I take a deep breath and stare upward.
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Streets
Streets are such an amazing kaleidoscopeof energies. Every day we walk down the street watching and waiting forour lives to interact.
The incredible differences that exist inso small a space come bursting in your face the moment you step out ofthe house.
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