Rain drizzled outside the window. How much? It’s $200. He looked back at her. Do you want it all now? She shook her head. No. Then is okay. And only half. That would be fair. And it’s me. She nodded. The wind had picked up. A storm seemed threatening. And you don’t want it now….

Congratulations to the hometown team, Doreen B., Homelessinhonolulu, Jim Harstad, and Darrel. You are all our winners for March. As usual you have each won ten sacred Bamboo Bucks to spend wisely at our online store. Just mention that you’re a March winner when you check out. Use um before they expire at the end…

Long time ago, girls only good fo marry off. Like one ox. Can work or can sell. If you no can work, you gotta marry. Maybe if his family rich, can get one ox. Father wanted a boy to teach how to read and write. Mother had big ideas. Big feet, gotta work in the…

Did I tell you bout da time ma fadda neva pick me up? I had fo walk home afta library wen close an he blames me! ‘What the heck you gotta go library fo?’ Ma madda had nerve rash from stress! She couldn’t get her hands wet. I did all da babies’ diapas, toilet dips,…

In about 1962 I saw Joan Baez at the Seattle Civic, modestly well-attended by well-laundered overalls and plaid flannel shirts. Her name was the draw and her shirt was flannel. She was sponsoring this gnomish little frizzy-haired guy that nobody’d ever heard of. He did “Don’t Think Twice (It’s All Right)” and “It Ain’t Me,…

His recumbent figure curves large and weary. Unfolding slowly to my prudent pause, He rises on tremulous legs, Leveling intent eyes like a steady beam to my own. He cannot hide the effort of his unsteady steps, Bad hips and arthritis a well-known curse of his breed. I feel a stir of deep sympathy. Precious…

She closed the book, placed it on the table, and finally, decided to walk through the door. How could an estate sale list get any sadder, she thought? Making her way up the dark stairs to the bleak rooftop, she reviewed the list in her mind. “Baby shoes, new. Never worn. $2” “Various romantic movies,…

A long journey Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx To his home in New Brunswick, New Jersey Walking the way A pilgrim’s quest I come Gateway to his mansion Behind and above An enormous red oak Towering God I marvel The one tree I pass the gate Go back Wrap my arms as far as…

“My Life as a Fraction” Fraction: “I tell you, it’s hard being 9/2 (that’s 9 over 2) because everyone is always trying to convert you. I mean, I don’t want to be a Mixed Number, I want to be myself. Some people even go so far as to call me 4 and one half!!! Can…