personal/social/political philosophy & opinion–sometimes in poetry
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Garden of the Gods is a spectactular geologic park, a portion of the red and white rock formations that run north and south along the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. I live about 3 miles away, so have collected many views in different lights and seasons. https://flic.kr/s/aHsjpeCjcb https://flic.kr/s/aHsjNhR3Kw T …
Continue reading “Travelblogue: American West Colorado: Garden of the Gods”
I have always loved the western United States, for the scent of wild sage and especially for the dramatic geology. Interstate 70, begins in Utah at a point south of Salt Lake City and continues eastward to Baltimore, Maryland. I’ve driven the particular section between its junction with I 15 in Utah to Denver, Colorado …
Continue reading “Travelblogue: Red Rock Country, the American West”
Trans-ness, gay-ness, bi-ness–none of these things are new to the human experience. They have been recognized in many non-Western cultures as normal and authentic for literal ages. They have always been here, though in the shadows at the edges of this dominant Western culture and disparaged as ‘un-natural’ by this and other patriarchal societies. Not …
The impassioned moment’s passed,The fight’s gone out of me;tolerance and hope set inwith a sighand by-and-bythis latest violence,outrage, assaultagainst the heart and soulwill pass–and leave me livingstilland still possessedof most of what I had; Life goes onsublime,absurd,expects the future stillmakes plansinvestsand wandersdown the middle courseagain somewhere betweenthe hopeless and the glad. Disappointmentgnaws away at faith. …
The shootings here in the Springs, and then yesterday again, in a Virginia Walmart…So many families and communities torn open, devastated because of insanity with a gun in hand. The guns are a problem, but insanity is the bigger one. Sane people can manage their guns with safety and good sense. The biggest problem here …
So many pathwaysdrear and close,or bright and magicalthrough woods and hillsand neighborhoods,I now will never walk… Trails to wonders,mysteries,unmet friends and scenes,destinationsand discoveriesthat once may have been… Pictures still and movingare now my wayto wander,to rememberthe feel of forest airsacross my face. CL Redding November 2022
I am not a tootsie rollwrapped up to keep off lint and dirt.I am a human being.I have personhood and dreamsambitions, likes, desires,yearnings and creative fires… I have a life to livethat is my own. I have just angers, I have boundaries, mine,not yours. How ignoranthow arroganthow mean of youto think me nothingbut your lollipop. …
Ladies of a Certain Agegirls no moreexcept in the heart:What Life has givenyou have takendespite the dreams you had,despite intentions and resistance;Age acquiring resiliencefor survival’s sakewhen life is hardor dull beyond endurance. Power in the circlearound the cafe tableevery morning, every dayexcept Sundays, maybe:Ladies, old and agingsocializing despite,because of Life;finding, making, sharing power’round this table…and resilience,endurance,and amusement–even some days, …
Sitting warm enough at my window, watchingthrough the weeks,the leaves all turning,dying, flying–Autumn draining of its color,of its spicy scents and allits memories of Summer… Winter churns and blowsnot so distantly it blustersup among the peaks,breathes out across the plains, all flurrying and hurryingto reclaim the air,the land, the bleakit seeks to hide beneath the …
Helen, oh Helen!You silly git!You pretty face,You great lack-wit! Paris, perspectivewas never your strengthJust please yourselfat any length! Menelaus,big as a bullyour heart pumps bloodand that is all. Agamemnon,greed for powerscours your life linehour by hour. Achilles,as honest as killers come–kill and be killedis your personal sum. Hector, oh Hector,where else could you endbut dragged …
LOOSELY SPEAKING...