Current Affairs
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Empty
"This morning,"she said,hands wrapped for warmtharound her coffee cup,"I woke up empty." "Empty?" he asked,spoonful of All-Branhalfway to his mouth."Empty as in…how?"For him,empty could be good, like Zen: open, clear, ready.Or empty could be sad, like death: … Continue reading
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Four Lines
I offer four lines,one to save myselfand three to save the world: "I'd rather be kind than right." "I was wrong." "I'm sorry." "Hold me." In vulnerability waits salvation. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved.… Continue reading
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Where Emptiness Leads
early morning darknesshouse chill from winter's nighthe sits on the couchalone, sadtentatively tasting an emptinesshe can't yet labelhe waits for the padded arms of the couchto wrap and hold himassure him the emptinesswhatever it iswill passor fillor perhaps take himsomewhereanywhereinto… Continue reading
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The Raid
"Drop the pen.Step away from the notebook.That's it…nice and slow…easy now…keep your hands where we can see them." I comply.They frisk meand find two blue Uniballshidden in my left sock,but that's it. After a search of the house,they leavewith a… Continue reading
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Aging
Growing old?I can handle such.Growing up?Well, not so much. Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Christmas, Day 12
And so the festive season ends. We bid farewell to these our friends:the carols, lights and Christmas greens,the pause recalling what it means to live with gratitude and hope,the attitudes that help us cope with one more year… Continue reading
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Christmas, Day 11 (The Demented Cyclists)
Get out of the way,and the way becomes clear. We are our own roadblocks. Your anger approaches—get out of its wayand let it pass! Your anxiety encroaches—get out of its wayand let it pass! Your unkindess reproaches—get out of its… Continue reading
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Christmas, Day 10
I am a string of Christmas lightswith many burned-out bulbs. It must be someone's jobto keep me merry and bright. Someone?Anyone? Text and image © 2013 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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Christmas, Day 9
Hold my hand,for I am frightened:what if, just this once,Christmas doesn't come? We draw toward midnight;our candles burn low.How do we continueif Christmas doesn't come? The clock strikes the hour,the earth sighs beneath us–a sigh of sweet relief.Christmas has come.… Continue reading
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Christmas, Day 8
Small-town downtown,Christmas Eve:stores close at 5:00 PM– less competitive spirit, more desire for all all to be home, to have this evening with family and friends, perhaps to bask in the warmth of a candlelit service, … Continue reading