only crumbs
on the Christmas platter –
in bed, alone
Got the mid-holiday doldrums? If you believe that misery loves company, 
you’ll love the company of America’s favorite ex-country-rocker, mystery-writer
“The period between Christmas and New Year’s can be a rather lonely
time for those of us married to the wind. Old people living alone tend
to leap from their top-floor balconies in greatly incresed numbers,
sometimes taking until Purim to hit the pavement. Young people who
feel alone see the holiday season as a pretty good time to end it all before
it begins. They hang themselves while listening to albums by Whitesnake,
overdose on St. Joseph’s baby aspirin, or just wander away, having always
dreamed of someday seeing themselves on milk cartons.”
by Mike McGovern (1999).
New Year’s kite–
out of green leaves
then back in
New Year’s pine decoration–
alone, listening
to the night rain
no one to give
New Year’s presents to…
little hut
Kobayashi Issa translated by David G. Lanoue
Please give generously to your charitable fund of choice for Tsunami Relief.
only crumbs
on the Christmas platter –
in bed, alone
Got the mid-holiday doldrums? If you believe that misery loves company,
you’ll love the company of America’s favorite ex-country-rocker, mystery-writer
“The period between Christmas and New Year’s can be a rather lonely
time for those of us married to the wind. Old people living alone tend
to leap from their top-floor balconies in greatly incresed numbers,
sometimes taking until Purim to hit the pavement. Young people who
feel alone see the holiday season as a pretty good time to end it all before
it begins. They hang themselves while listening to albums by Whitesnake,
overdose on St. Joseph’s baby aspirin, or just wander away, having always
dreamed of someday seeing themselves on milk cartons.”
by Mike McGovern (1999).
New Year’s kite–
out of green leaves
then back in
New Year’s pine decoration–
alone, listening
to the night rain
no one to give
New Year’s presents to…
little hut
Kobayashi Issa translated by David G. Lanoue
Please give generously to your charitable fund of choice for Tsunami Relief.
. . . a resolution I plan to keep.
first light
a grouse stepping
around snow
first blossoms
my cell phone
set to vibrate
back home with
new Christmas memories –
and mom’s flu
[Dec. 29, 2004]
one-breath pundit
We’re short of breath here today: But, check out my guest post at Crime & Federalism -
Congratulations to the residents of Morrow County, Ohio, who have just hired Ana Colon Aebi 
– mi amiga esplendida — as their newest magistrate. In a remarkably diverse career over the
past quarter century, Ana has proven that a “lady lawyer” can do anything her male colleagues
can do — not just better, but with more style. Best wishes, Anita, in this newest chapter!
. . . a resolution I plan to keep.
first light
a grouse stepping
around snow
first blossoms
my cell phone
set to vibrate
back home with
new Christmas memories –
and mom’s flu
[Dec. 29, 2004]
one-breath pundit
We’re short of breath here today: But, check out my guest post at Crime & Federalism -
Congratulations to the residents of Morrow County, Ohio, who have just hired Ana Colon Aebi
– mi amiga esplendida — as their newest magistrate. In a remarkably diverse career over the
past quarter century, Ana has proven that a “lady lawyer” can do anything her male colleagues
can do — not just better, but with more style. Best wishes, Anita, in this newest chapter!
