Halloween used to be my favorite holiday after I became a mom. But not the scary stuff…the cute stuff like homemade capes and Little Red Riding Hood costumes made from red velvet window drapes — a la Carol Burnett doing Scarlett Ohara in Gone With the Wind — for my…

How art and trauma recovery led me to Social Change activism

I never knew language had died
while I lay in my solitary room.
This waking to the world in April
beckons me back from my tomb.

“Why do you write?” she asked. “What do you get out of it?”…

On Cinco de Mayo

Rest in power, my little diva girl Bunni. You found me 11 years ago, guided and supported my healing and recovery. You taught me how to live my life fearlessly and with a ‘tude. You taught me how to self-care, with your disdain for kids and…

From the archives: 1991

Only once

The daemonic headache took me
in the middle of the parking lot
of the suburban Chicago eatery.

Who was screaming in the van with me?

I heard the screams but did not know
they were flying from my mouth. …

This reminds me of Samurai Kitteh, a long ago written short story of mine. xox

Thank you for reaching out. I have written several pieces about Bunni. Would you like me to send one to Rainbow Bridge?

Transforming, Integrating, Regulating

All the Meats!!!

I know an old lady who was scared of the ocean
she was scared of the water, she was scared of the motion
she wanted to swim, but she didn’t know why
she flipped and she flopped, she thought she would die.
I know an old lady who didn’t die, she…

Another Beginning

Many caring people ask someone who has been ill, “Are you better?” “How are you doing?” Perhaps ask instead “Can I help?” “How can I support you?”

Everything is relative. After months of isolation and weeks of feeling tired and unable to breathe, I ended up in the…