November 2006 Archives

For as long as I can remember, my grandmother was afflicted with Parkinson's disease.  As her mind got worse, it was eventually necessary for her to live in a foster care home.  This was back when I was in middle school.  My grandfather at this time lived in a retirement home, because though he suffered from bone cancer and was wheelchair bound, he was largely self sufficient.  My grandfather's retirement home was directly across the street from the middle school I attended.  Often, after school I would go and visit my grandfather.  On occasion we would take the city bus across town to go and visit my grandmother.  It was during these trips that I first understood what it meant to truly love someone.  

her mind riddled
even love is obscured
but eyes remember

more breaths of legacy at one deep breath 

the prose section of this haibun is inspired by a story i am working on for a site a good friend of mine is a part of.  the site is called common ties and publishes (and pays for) personal stories in the mold of something you might hear on this american life or the storycorps project.  i encourage you all to check out the site.

Overheard at a forum at Powell's with Philip Gourevitch, Editor of the Paris Review:

"Every thing you've ever read is a gross reduction of reality" 

     -Philip Gourevitch
 

pale fingers of aspen
pin-pricked bubble of blood
after October leaves

chills seep into thoughts leaving
bare skin craving winter's embrace

The "Pineapple Express" relentlessly attacks with warm rain.  Rivers swell and overflow, taking with them trees, rocks and houses.  The collective mood of the city becomes one of depressed slumber.  All the while we are inundated with negative political ads.  We wonder if we will ever regain hope.  If things can really change.  If our vote really matters. 

rain falls with darkness
unapologetic to
the daylight it hides

Change does happen.  Sometimes it sneaks up on us.  Sometimes it is sudden and violent.  Always afterwards we have a choice in how we respond.  This election has brought us change.  I hope and pray that this time we respond to that change in a better way. 

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more haibun from the poets at one deep breath 

*haibun is a combination of brief prose and haiku.

Today I hope is a new beginning for the United States.  Voters have made a loud and clear statement of unhappiness with the direction of our country.  The balance of power has clearly shifted in the House of Representatives and currently looks to swing in the Senate as well.  However, we will not know the results of the final Senate race for probably a month.

The results of the elections were good news in its own right.  However even better news came this morning.  Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down as the Secretary of Defense.  Perhaps now, the military leaders can actually implement strategies that will help end the conflict in Iraq instead of inciting conflict.