Aces Low

In the kind of stunning reversal the president is famous for, Trump declared that he will be going back to Germany, where he came from. Pouting, Trump said, “No one appreciates my genius. I made America what it is. The Dems broke it.”

It’s not the first time a Trump fled their country. Trump’s grandfather came from Germany as an economic migrant. His grandson would have kept him out. Friedrich dodged the draft in Germany, so they didn’t want him either. Like his grandson, he was not a patriot.

Trump might decide to stay here. Germany might not have him.

Thinking About Birthdays

Agapanthus always seem too big for the vase at the cemetery. So I bring something smaller, something that doesn’t grow in the yard.

Samuel’s life was brief. Before he died, he held my finger. Breathing through a respirator, breathing through pain, breathing away the last hours of his life; he loosened his grip. The tight fists that fought to stay alive loosened so his cold hand held my finger once before he passed.

I’m glad we had that contact, just like I’m glad to be part of my two son’s lives. Still, I sometimes wonder who Samuel might have become.

Birthday Wishes

“He’s not old enough for live ammunition.” As if settling the issue she said, “He hasn’t even made his first communion.”

“He’s a good shot.” The boy’s father turned up the stairs. He wrapped the box of bullets in teddy bear paper and stuck a yellow bow on top. He never had been good with bows. But he knew she wouldn’t wrap it. Not after that tirade.

Timmy’s kindergarten buddies would come sit around the festive table. His father set the ammo carton near the cake, pride trumping judgement, fear overcoming reason.

She would pray for them both.

Alabama Justice

A pregnant woman approached the battered wooden desk at her hometown police station. “Charge me with endangering my fetus.”

“You’re Buck’s wife.”

She nodded. “He’s the one endangering.”

“What you do to git him riled?”

It was always the same. They wouldn’t take a report.

“I read it in the paper today. He was mean when I married him. I’m ready to pay for my crime.”

“You got any marks?”

“Not yet. Just threats.”

“I’m sure he didn’t mean it, Mrs. Buck. Go on, now.”

A woman officer came in. She made the arrest.

Don’t Upset Your Mother

administration america art banner — Photo by Public Domain Photography on Pexels.com

Mother, apple pie, wrapped in ribbons, red and white and blue.

Mother pie? Did you say you put your mother in the pie? In pieces? Only a madman would do that. Don’t upset your mother. Now try again.

Some things are patriotic. Apple pie, mother, blue and red and white, for example. And Blue Stockings. Because mothers are revolutionary. And so is the white, blue, and red. A proclamation of revolution was the original intent.

What the hell are you saying here? They’re colors. And food. And who wears stockings anymore. You make it too complicated. Light a sparkler. Relax.

Sojourner Truth

sojourner_truth_c1870

WikiCommons from the Smithsonian

A small black woman stands on stage, the sinews of her arms taut against the lectern. Do you hear her?

The call: “Ain’t I a woman?”

The response: “You are a woman.”

God revealed, though even now not everyone has heard, that women are entitled to respect, to equal rights, to the dignity of their person, to freedom. 150 years ago God spoke through this tiny woman who endured hard lessons about society, about the people close to her, most importantly about herself. Do you know the saying, “The truth will set you free?” Be a sojourner. Find the truth.

One Taming, Three Versions

affection board broken broken hearted — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

 Shrew:
 An omelet,
 A suitcase,
 A change of clothes and then a meal.
 Maybe.
 A sonnet,
 An altercation, with the consequence that she leaves.
 Again.
 …
 Cool chick changes, reverts to wasp
 “An omelet, bonny Kate? And sit.”
 “On a moveable? It will not bear me.”
 “I mean to bear thee.”
 “Don’t go all Shakespeare on me,
 I gotta go.”
 …
 But then she said
 She would not come
 Into my bed.
 I said, “Your mum,
 I wish her dead.”
 She whacked my bum
 I grasped her head
 She said, “You dumb
 Ass, don’t you tread
 On me.”

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