It was the other day, June 3, 2015 to be precise, when Paul Morris, a fellow MFA Goucher graduate, reminded me of Bobby Gentry’s “Ode to Billy Joe.” Forty-eight years ago, on June 3, 1967, Gentry penned her masterpiece. How could I allow decades to pass before revisiting the rhythmic, haunting lyrics depicting the dayContinue reading “Ode to Billy Joe and the faceless manikins”
Tag Archives: Childhood sexual abuse
Facebook World — Heroin in a Mousetrap
It was another session with Olivia, the therapist who brought me back from the dark side of childhood sexual abuse. Although I am in a relatively good place, a little tuneup is needed now and then. “I noticed a significant decrease in the number of blogs that you have written,” Olivia said. “How do youContinue reading “Facebook World — Heroin in a Mousetrap”
Cowboys & Indians, to Gangsters, to War Games, to Stand your Ground.
Oh my, where have the years gone? I’m 71 years old and have seen lots of stuff: good, bad, and some that I can’t talk about. But with the help of a good therapist, and a load of self exploration, I believe that I have grown both spiritually and intellectually. Too bad I can’t sayContinue reading “Cowboys & Indians, to Gangsters, to War Games, to Stand your Ground.”
There’s no rosin on my bow.
I ran across this brief essay that I had written at the time of the 9-11-2001 tragedy. This came at a time when I was heavy into psychotherapy for childhood sexual abuse. Reliving my experiences caused me to make a comparison between the misery of 9-11-2001 and childhood sexual abuse. I’m sorry if I offendedContinue reading “There’s no rosin on my bow.”
I’m only a gnat in the forest.
I find myself reflecting on the life of Nelson Mandela as I hear one story after another flash across my television screen. Mandela was one of the great leaders of our time; someone we should try to emulate. But as hard as I try, I am only a gnat in the forest. I write compassionateContinue reading “I’m only a gnat in the forest.”
You can’t know what you don’t know. Part II
“You can’t know what you don’t know.” That’s what my therapist said as she sat in her chair, waiting for my response. I scanned my mind looking for clues to explain my past behavior. When I was a boy growing up in the baptist church I was taught that we have free will — weContinue reading “You can’t know what you don’t know. Part II”
You can’t know what you don’t know. Part I
I was a young boy, six-years old as I recall, and about to enter the first grade at the DeLand Elementary school. This was a big day for me, a chance to show my older brother and his friends what I was made of. The older boys had physically and sexually abused me and IContinue reading “You can’t know what you don’t know. Part I”
A special thanks to the Longbranch Coffeehouse & the Daily Egyptian
I want to thank the Longbranch Coffeehouse for inviting me to participate in their author series. The book reading/discussion was held before a lively audience who offered up several interesting questions. My book, “Mnemosyne: A Love Affair with Memory,” has served as a vehicle for discussing one of society’s biggest sins — childhood sexual abuse.Continue reading “A special thanks to the Longbranch Coffeehouse & the Daily Egyptian”