I was reading a story from Rolling Stone about an old favorite of mine, Kris Kristofferson. While I don’t listen to him often, I’m drawn by his lyrics like a bee to honey. I sat at my computer and let his music help me write my imaginary song. I ain’t no better than a dirtyContinue reading “I ain’t no better than a dirty dime.”
Tag Archives: Depression
That’s why I write.
I was moved to write this blog when a fellow graduate of a MFA Creative Nonfiction program wrote the following: “How much rejection can one take? or rather should take? I’ve been getting rejected from every single query, pitch, essay publication, poetry, translation, fellowship, residency and employment I’ve applied to since October.” Why would someoneContinue reading “That’s why I write.”
Book Blurb for Supermax Prison: Controlling the most dangerous criminals
I feel fortunate to have received a book blurb for “Supermax Prison: Controlling the most dangerous criminals,” written by Terry Turchie, author of “Unabomber: How the FBI Broke Its Own Rules to Capture the Terrorist Ted Kaczynski. Special Agent Turchie is now retired, pursuing a writing career. Rarely does a book come along that trulyContinue reading “Book Blurb for Supermax Prison: Controlling the most dangerous criminals”
Wallow in the writer’s high
The title of my book has been changed to “Supermax Prison: controlling the most dangerous criminals,” which is due to be released in mid-June. I decided to share some of my thoughts before writing this book. *** Writing is a journey of twists and turns laced with uncertainty. Gone are the predictable warm summer nightsContinue reading “Wallow in the writer’s high”
A get your attention book
Mnemosyne: A Love Affair with Memory is a beautifully written, powerful book about two men from different centuries who are struggling with memory. One is struggling with his own memories; the other is working to define and codify what memory is. These two stories, however, are more about the soul journey of each man. Larry’sContinue reading “A get your attention book”
Ode to Billy Joe and the faceless manikins
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”
Hey funny man, show me your pain.
Robin Williams, John Beluski, Chris Farley, Freddie Prinze: all funny men who chose to die. Robin was my favorite. His improvisational skills had no boundaries, as he hurled funny lines fast and furious, seemingly from a place where few have ventured. These comedians, ambassadors of humor, sang lyrics meant to tickle your soul, while sufferingContinue reading “Hey funny man, show me your pain.”
Come dance with me.
It’s always there to some degree, mocking my every move. A jig, a waltz, maybe Chubby Checker’s famous twist, or a seductive embrace as we move across the floor — my dancing partner, my pain. Maybe it’s sharp, a get your attention pain; a boxer’s jab; possibly an unrelenting tooth acne; or a sustained, never-ending pain.Continue reading “Come dance with me.”
On Thursday I met with my surgeon — yada, yada, yada
You might recall that I’ve written about my back problems before: two herniated disks in my lower back, successful surgery, months later I have pain in another location of my back, yada, yada, yada. (In case you don’t know, yada is code for “more bullshit”) After having an MRI on my back, I met withContinue reading “On Thursday I met with my surgeon — yada, yada, yada”
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”