Author Archives: Dave

The Blackouts She wasn’t a Joe Sixpack drinkerconsuming alcohol with gustoor quietly sipping bourbon or wineor both at all hourslike my dad. One martini and she was off balance.One drink was all it tookto spring the hatch suppressingevery childhood resentmentor … Continue reading →

Betrayal for my daughter’s first husband “I love you and I will always be faithful to you.”No doubt he meant it on the day and the year of the postmark. So little time from moon to rising moon;in his need … Continue reading →

Chapel of the Transfiguration The first thing I saw was the constellation of houseflieson the Chapel of the Transfiguration window blocking the grandeurof the Cathedral Group with Grand Teton in the center.The fly was the filthiest of creatures to my … Continue reading →

The Midwatch Lieutenant Fallon goes over the logas I assume the midnight watch.He heads for his rack in officer’s country.I’ll be here until oh four hundred. The ship is cruising at 15 knotsin calm waters west of Pearlon the same … Continue reading →

Excuses We waste a lot of time making excuses.The Bible is full of them. Some are goodlike Moses saying, correctly, he is not eloquent.The Lord enlists brother Aaron to speakfor him, and that is enough to do the job.But most … Continue reading →

[tanka] lost mojoon the Red Linea sweet faceno opportunityfor me

For the Love of Flight Precision tree swallowsblack silhouettesagainst the dishwater cloud bankrise like a school of fishhigh above the wetlandsturning this wayrising twistingturning that waytwisting fallingheave upward once againand curve for a landingin a giant big leaf maplejust for … Continue reading →

To the Young Ravens The young ravens in the nest are nearly grown.They are dull black with patches of gray and white.They flex their wing muscles intermittently,but they know not yet what the wings are for. Their pink, fish-like mouths … Continue reading →

Cultivating Stillness A shallow mind is never still.A compulsive needfor constant stimulationensures a stateof constant agitation. By understanding and cultivating stillness,a deep mindis heavy enough to master itself.Stillness is the master of agitation. For the shallow mind,the world is heavy;it … Continue reading →

The Logic of Athletics He challenged the ice in canyons silvergreen.He challenged the heat, one hundred plus, to chasethe best of men. He challenged the raving rain,thunderously applauding. The gladness of the racewas always there, but those who saw his … Continue reading →

[tanka] she is the windshe cares for nothing…he is the grass;he cannot movewithout her

Layoffs Coming Next Week Everyone knows.Layoffs are coming and rumor has itnext week is the big reveal.The managers assure usthe best people will keep their jobs,that retention will be based on merit. The old timers have heard this before.Don’t believe … Continue reading →

Shock and Awe Reports that say that something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to … Continue reading →