February 2017 – Seashell Nell

I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON LENT

I have a friend named Chris. We had been talking about what we were going to do for Lent, how we wanted to do a good job and get mad holy and stuff. There was this program you could join through this organization, but it was kind of pricey plus kind of bossy plus wentContinueContinue reading “I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON LENT”

Small winter poem 14 | Fleeting

I have this one friend, A close friend, One of the people I treasure the absolute, absolute most. This morning, bright and early, I saw that he had texted me. (This is not uncommon, and, Often being in different time zones means we Often miss the other’s texts). The text this time, though, took aContinueContinue reading “Small winter poem 14 | Fleeting”

Small winter poem 13 | On Valentine’s Day

I was in line at an inner-city CVS to buy chocolates for a work event when I heard them. “Come ON,” a voice was saying to his friend, “just take one with one of the roses! You’re taking FOREVER! We’re never going to get out of here.” And I glanced over. Two teenage guys, inContinueContinue reading “Small winter poem 13 | On Valentine’s Day”

Small winter poem 12 | Oh that you would bless me indeed

On Friday, after a long day and a long week, I called my tiny friend to talk to her and I asked her about her life and her day and her week. She told me that it was crazy (“MINE. TOO.” I said), and that she had an experience with another human, an encounter, whereContinueContinue reading “Small winter poem 12 | Oh that you would bless me indeed”

Small winter story 11 | Travelin’ belt

So, I had this one belt, my favorite belt, and favorite because it was exactly my size and leather and kind of on the thick side for a lady-belt, but still small enough to fit around my waist and sneak through the belt loops. I think I bought it secondhand one day, at a churchContinueContinue reading “Small winter story 11 | Travelin’ belt”

Small Winter Poem 10 | Dance parties

“How are your babies?” I asked, to him with the little girls. “Nell,” he sighed and looked at me, “I swear that every night she looks at me and asks, ‘Can we have a dance party?’…So we do…every night’.” I laughed too. Because I don’t ask anymore. I’m too old. I just decide. Dance party.ContinueContinue reading “Small Winter Poem 10 | Dance parties”

Small Winter Poem 9 | Bravery

What color, Do you think, Is the color of courage? Maybe it’s just the bright yellow Of the sun Peeking through a dungeon of grey When all the world is winter. Maybe it is the delicate white Of the tiny flowers Who push through the concrete Insisting on blooming in my crazy city. Little, small…butContinueContinue reading “Small Winter Poem 9 | Bravery”

Small winter poem 8 | Buntings across town

Give me your prayers, friends, And I will take them And fill my pockets with them And then I will make buntings from them, And hang them all over this beautiful, broken city. This square for courage, to do the hard things, This one for love, Dedication, Compassion, Willingness to listen, Willingness to act. I’llContinueContinue reading “Small winter poem 8 | Buntings across town”

Small winter poem 7 | Snail mail

There is a raw magical wonder to Mailboxes Snail mail Postal delivery in general. For instance, one can buy a specialty sticker for the post, Adhere it to a square of paper, And that sticker means that the paper can be delivered ANYWHERE! (Just about). (There needs to be an appropriate address). What wonder. WhatContinueContinue reading “Small winter poem 7 | Snail mail”

Small winter poem 6 | She of the garden-heart

She says her heart is a garden when she talks about it Large, flowing, growing, And I love it when she does. But I know, too, that her garden-heart has had a period of California-large drought Followed by reckless hooligans who ripped and kicked all the plants And some slimy salesmen who sold her weedContinueContinue reading “Small winter poem 6 | She of the garden-heart”