Do not live half a life and do not die a half death If you choose silence, then be silent When you speak, do so until you are finished If you accept, then express it bluntly Do not mask it If you refuse then be clear about it for an ambiguous refusal is but a weak acceptance Do not accept half a solution Do not believe half truths Do not dream half a dream Do not fantasize about half hopes Half the way will get you no where You are a whole that exists to live a life not half a life.
This is an image of Kiko from November 2007, a year before his death in December 2008. He was a sickly cat in his last year after being with us for 16+ years.
During Kiko’s time with us, I never felt like I owned him. Rather, I felt privileged that he allowed us to share his space. Recently, on Instagram, I learned of the word Kahu, or a Kahu. The word can be traced to Hawaiian origins, meaning “honored guardian.” I’m currently not a Kahu. No animals live with us, but maybe that will change.
A Framed Copy of an Article in the Community Section of the Houston Chronicle, October 2006
What began as the “Reading Series” at Montgomery College in 1993 evolved to become the “Writers In Performance” series conducted by the Montgomery County Literary Arts Council (MCLAC). Over the years, many local poets, as well as national poets, have read their poetry at Montgomery College. Since moving to Tucson 12 years ago, I haven’t had too many opportunities to attend the series, which continues under the leadership of Cliff Hudder and Dave Parsons.
Facepainting (The Woodlands Art Festival, April 2008) — Image by kenne
All women are wounded Who gather berries, dibble in mottled light, Turn white roots from humus, crack nuts on stone High upland with squinted eye or rest in cedar shade.
