The Queen Is Dead. So What?
RICHMOND, Va. — The queen is dead. So what? A hurricane slams the Dominican Republic. Japan braces for a typhoon’s wallop. Also, “In a Ukrainian forest, Russian retreat means digging up the dead.” At least the pandemic is officially over, jk.
Another Sloppy Attempt to Cultivate Serenity
RICHMOND, Va. — A fire truck flies down the road on one side of the park, sirens blaring. I have yet to enter the labyrinth. I’m still reading signs placed at the entrance — large wood rectangles with instructions, including WELCOME! ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY!
Spirals Versus Curves
RICHMOND, Va. — Testy docents say backpacks belong in front or beside my body / A NEW INTERPRETATION OF “HAMLET” IS SHAKING UP THE THEATER SCENE / I wish you were here to tousle my hair
She Adds a Little Cinnamon
SHORT PUMP, Va. — It has been threatening to rain all day. I write threatening, as if the sky is a big man with puffed-up chest and wild eyes staring down and shouting, “I’ll fucking do it. I’ll fucking rain on you.” The occasional drizzle is spit flying from Big-Man-Sky’s mouth.
The Child and His Penny
RICHMOND, Va. — I tried moving the kugel ball myself, but it wouldn’t budge, so now I sit on one of the stone benches that ring the plaza. I’m dewy and aromatic with sweat. The world is falling apart. I spent the day roaming Richmond. I’m dehydrated. Do you know what it feels like to be dehydrated on a hot day?
An Invisible Shivering Takes Place During Transformation
RICHMOND, Va. — A kettle filled with water boils in the background. If all the morning-glories in the world bloomed at the same time, they could not erupt with such contained violence.
Who Is Le Doux?
GLEN ALLEN, Va. — A guy double-fisting 20-ounce coffees also holds a bag of breakfast sandwiches pinched between the ring and pinky fingers of one hand. It is a precarious situation, and something is wrong with the order.
On a Bench at the Low Line
RICHMOND, Va. — I think of you in the afternoon, as I wander from our apartment to the Low Line. I sit on the bench closest to the start of the Capital Trail, the bench sponsored by THE KELLEY FAMILY OF VIRGINIA
Reading at Boogaloos Bar & Grill
RICHMOND, Va. — Because most of what I’m writing and reading these days are poems in the form of toasts or anti-toasts, it adds a little something extra when people have a drink in their hand. When I get to the “raise your glass” parts of the toasts, people can actually raise a glass.