• Rakhi celebration in Hamilton
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    The visit to Ottawa ended. Nothing had been resolved. It was clear Sudhir needed to continue under supervised care, and he was sick of it. As he put it, I am wasting here. Returning to the airport, I stopped to say goodbye. I walked upstairs to check out his room. We uttered words of getting ...
  • Sudhir on his Rajdoot mobike i965
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    In the hushed, soft-lit room, Sudhir lies in a pine coffin draped with a white cloth. Munna, my younger sister, and I arrange white gladiolas on either end with peace lilies along the length. Deep red roses lie in the middle. Mummy enters with Juji (my youngest sister). The priest prepares the thali for the ...
  • The Lodwig Gravestone
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    Previously, I had stated, “And thus ended the year 1991 Anno Domini.” Not entirely, though! The year 1991 is also the year Millie leaves us. Millie and John have a minor argument, and invariably, it gets blown out of proportion. Things are tense for a few days, and Millie needs a break. Two of her ...
  • Brian & Monica -1991
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    Brian is a student at Macomb, juggling school, relationships, and business ventures. His only real friend and constant companion is Stinger, the orange tabby with thumbs. The extra toes on each paw are his crowning glory, despite being at the paw end. When Brian visits home, Stinger is with him. The cats, Toot and Stinger, ...
  • Early 1900's picture of my Dad's father-my grandfather
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    Once again, the eight-year-old me is standing under the mantle staring up at that serious, soft-eyed person in the picture. Sometimes, when passing through this room, I glance up and smile. Other times, I fear he is watching me as if he is judging. When no one is around, I return his gaze and try ...
  • Tree in front of a golden moon
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    First Date Two shy and lonely people met amidst the magic of the starry night. Love is enchanting, so it meandered through the lovers’ hearts. The attraction fluttered in every cell of their bodies. She knew he was the one; he would ask her to marry him. He couldn’t be without her. The first date brought delightful giddiness where ...
  • Monarch Butterfly Draws Nectar
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    We were young, still in our cocoons when we first met. Flora morphed into a beautiful butterfly, sooner than me. Her wings—the colors of fire, lit the sky. Her flutter stirred many, to reach and pocket her. But free minded, she held her own, unwilling to be caught.   With a grand vision to travel ...
  • Red Lilies
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    Do the selfish greedy fewWatch the innocent dieAnd bleed upon the morning dewDo they inhale the red dustAbove the crumbling homes of trust Has their warring blackboardBeen desecrated by the blood-spattered hordeSacrifice by their beheading swords The white doves of peace are cryingWhile the red lilies of loveLay under broken ground dying
  • newspaper with the word cancer magnified
    440
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    I’ve been telling my husband the only thing I hate about dying is I won’t be able to write about it. As a writer, I gravitate towards death. I’m not sure why. I remember a story I wrote in high school about my death from a car accident. My spirit floated above my body, watching ...
  • a girl sleeping on a bed covered in stars
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    The following poem is from Lo Potter’s upcoming collection “Celestial Navigation” set for release in September 2021 it’s funny how only a great time laterwe take real personal meaning from dreams.when I dreamt that my bed was safe,because you would make it so.and those stars we pointed to,making constellations in our minds,slowly learning direction,teaching me ...