Into the Willies

What a wonderful vacation it's been so far, Gentle Reader, and I haven't even left my home state! But I will soon be off to see what this continent has to offer and, as a warm-up, I spent two lovely nights in lake country with these charming people:

I've also managed to aquire a fine piece of work by my favorite living artist, Jim Toner. 

I do not yet know the extent of the adventures I will have, Gentle Reader, as I navigate the urban domains and wild back countries of North America. But you can be certain that I will update this forum with news of my escapades as frequently as the cyber gods allow.

From here I take a bus to Boston on Wednesday, then fly to the wonderful land known as (T)oron(t)o on Thursday. I've got some tricky connections to make, but feel that with a bit of luck, and an airport cocktail or two, I shall safely reach my Canadian destination. One thing we can both be certain of is that the historical conquests documented above will become the stuff of legend, and the folklore of tomorrow. 

Farewell for now Gentle Reader. I will see you in the cyber salons of the future.

-Z

Be Crumbled

Be crumbled.
So wild flowers will come up where you are.
You have been stony for too many years.
Try something different.
Surrender.


          -Rumi

This is the Nonsense of Love

I.

Our kiss is a secret handshake, a password.

We love like spies, like bruised prize fighters,


like children building tree houses.

Our love is serious business.


One look from you and my spine


reincarnates as kite string.

When I hesitate to hold your hand,


it is because to know is to be responsible for knowing.

II.


There is no clean way to enter

the heavy machinery of the heart.

Just jagged cutthroat questions.


Just the glitter and blood production.

III.


The truth is this:


My love for you is the only empire

I will ever build.

When it falls,

as all empires do,


my career in empire building will be over.

I will retreat to an island.


I will dabble in the vacation-hut industry.


I will skulk about the private libraries and public parks.

I will fold the clean clothes.

I will wash the dishes.

I will never again dream of having the whole world.

- Mindy Nettifee