I don’t write in a journal everyday, but I have accumulated many entries over the past 50+ years beginning in 1966. Some items evolved into longer works. Among the leftovers little pieces survived. I thought a collection of these with a piece culled from the same date in a past year would make an interesting yearbook. The consistencies and inconsistencies of mind, skipping back and forth across time, provide varied perspectives. It is difficult to remember the context of the past we’ve lived; we also make suppositions about times that predate ourselves.

The few alterations from original drafts were to improve clarity. The worst of my work is not included. There remains enough mediocrity and immaturity to make me feel humble and you feel smart. There are also moments of accidental insight and incidental humor.

Author Stephen Crane referred to his little pieces as pills…apparently they were small and somewhat hard to swallow, but good for you.


Comments Welcome!

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Siena city of stones


January 11, 1999  (I was 54) 

Siena city of stones
laid so close to one another so long ago
that even now labyrinthine lanes
will not allow two walking abreast to pass
another pair without queuing single file
Siena lives a medieval comfort
Divided sectors of families and parishes
preserve ancient rivalry under separate flags
traditional banners and symbolic heraldries
affiliations with colors designs and mascots
renewed daily under murals and over coffee in cafes
The grand horse races of summer
with regalia and abandon through city streets
an honored remembrance in the middle of winter
Daily reminders of liaison and alliance
held within fortress walls against outside intrusion
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