So Close and Yet So Far
This essay discusses the Semiquincentennial celebration and compares it with Fourths of Years gone by.
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Drawing
A poem on redistricting, the drawing of new districts to serve the ruling party's political purposes, with the blessing of the Supreme Court and with enthusiasm unchecked by either the people's will nor the State's Constitutional provisions.
Attempt
A poem describing the swirling emotions on and offline provoked by the attempted assassination of President Trump at the dinner for the press. Caveat: I do not doubt the attempt on his life was real. P.S. The photo is an attempt at beauty.
Approaching May 1st, 2026, Anniversary of The Great Fire, Jacksonville, FL
A poem about a very dry spring in Florida which calls to mind the terrible fire which consumed Jacksonville early in the 20th century.
Smiles
This poem analyzes the loss of reputation of the US in the eyes of its closest allies, and the attitude it projects, about that loss.
Bread and Butter
This poem is a response to the claim by politicians, that "bread and butter" issues are the most important ones to the most people. It questions whether that is true, and whether fixing other issues might cause people to focus less on mere survival.
Doubt & Definitions, 3 am, Ancient City
A poem about doubt and definitions at 3 am in the Ancient City of St Augustine while mulling over a glorious day of PoetFest 2026. Written with the utmost affection for those, for whom poetry and writing in general, is not their first love, but who listen to us writers anyway.
Hostages
A poem describing two incidents where presidents were called upon to rescue "hostages" with very different outcomes.
Raven
A poem nearly as dire as Poe's own Raven, pointing out the attraction of such birds to shiny objects. By Andrea LeDew.
Democracy is Slow
A poem in which Technology is likened to mice and Democracy is likened to a slow, hibernating bear.
Some Will Die
A poem describing some of the more callous words and acts such as some will die, which have punctuated the US entry into war.
State of War
Poem on the commencement of the War in Iran and the contradictory and fragmented word associations that come to mind.
Happy Bubble
A poem about one way of dealing with overwhelming reality: by staying in your happy bubble.
Erasure
A poem about the white supremacist theory of replacement or erasure, told in the voice of a person in today's US, who, unbeknownst to themselves, is the very model of a modern white supremacist.
Domestic
A poem describing different uses of the word "domestic," as in "domestic terrorist," written in response to alarming Florida proposed legislation and a federal national security memo.
Politely Decline
A poem in reaction to the arrest of independent broadcaster Don Lemon, saluting the judges, prosecutors and other public servants who politely decline to do the wrong thing.
Safe Haven
A poem commemorating the shooting death in Minneapolis of Renee Good, a poet, mother and wife, at the hands of ICE. Per news reports, she had referred to Minneapolis as her Safe Haven. My condolences to the family.
Attention
A poem that pokes fun at a familiar Twitter closing salute, Thank you for your attention to this matter!
A Past Unreal
A poem wishing for a better past so as to make a better present, rather than this unreal one.
A Florida Christmas Prayer
A poem celebrating Luminaria in the Riverside Neighborhood of Jacksonville, 2025 and all previous years, and reflecting on the lessons we can learn from The Christmas Story.
Blessings
A string of couplets listing our many blessings, as we begin to think about what our resolutions might be for 2026.
Peachy
This sensual poem discusses the attractions of leaders who cultivate followers in order to use them for their own purposes. The image is the closest I had to a peach, being a fruit of the orchard, or grove, as we say here in Florida.
Third
A poem in response to the policy by tweet, declaring the papers of all who stem from "Third World Countries", suspect. This policy was in turn inspired by the shooting of two National Guards in Washington DC by an Afghan national, seeking asylum,
The End of the World
An optimistic poem about how, with some resolve, we can avoid the end of the world.