Retired for 12 years, after nearly 38 years as a STEM production editor, trainer, and team leader for a local printer/publisher, I now have the time and energy to pursue my love of writing, music, and other arts. My writing is primarily in the form of essays, book and film reviews, and poems. I am also a musician---a vocalist who plays piano, organ, guitar, and flutes. My music can be found on this page, as well as on Facebook and YouTube. Some of my writing has been published in online and print magazines and books. Check out my site for more details.
Confessions of a Lifelong Democrat I became a political junkie in 1960, at the tender age of 7, when I watched the presidential debate between a young, handsome, confident John F. Kennedy and an older, pinched, sweating Richard M. Nixon. I watched the debate from my little TV chair in my grandparents’ dining room. I … More The Choice We Face in The Presidential Election: Part I
July 10, 2016 My mother complains daily about how messy her house is. And, yes, there are pockets of disorder and corners covered in dust. Yet, whenever I walk into her bedroom to poke around in her bureau drawers (usually at her request), I am astonished to see that every item in every drawer is … More My Mother’s Treasure, My Legacy
While our national focus today is on the city of Dallas, which has just endured the vicious, callous massacre of five of their Peace Officers who were engaged in honorable, brave, and committed fashion to uphold the rights of their citizens to engage in lawful, peaceful protest, this has also been a horrific week in … More Reflections from Baltimore on a National Day of Mourning
So much has been going on recently—not just in my own life, but in the world at large—that I have been too overwhelmed to write about it all. I have begun and abandoned several posts in the last couple of weeks. But keeping all this swirl of thoughts, feelings, and opinions inside is not healthy. … More I Am a Stranger in a Strange Land Called America
Author’s Note: As Memorial Day and the month of May draw to a close, I have written this piece to honor my Mom, to kvetch a little about the joys and trials of being a parental caregiver, and to give Thanks that my Mom and I have grown so close in our Golden Years. She … More A Belated Mother’s Day Tribute
I have been working on this poem for several days now. Because of its unusual format, and because I am getting used to a new computer, I am posting it as an attachment. Please click on the link below to see the complete poem. Thanks for checking out this new work. Bowie n Prince v1
AUTHOR’s NOTE: I wrote this post on March 3, 2016, but I did not have a chance to come back to it for editing or rewrites. After looking at it again, just now, I’m letting this one fly, as is…. This election season has been the craziest I have ever seen, in large … More God Save the American Presidency, Please!
the killing of granny and q kid by afram bill (wc) williams he called for help but could not state his case feeling a threat that he knew but could not place rang nine one one twice and then once more they followed a script name and address he gave what he could but got … More Presenting Guest Poet, afram bill (wc) williams
One year ago, I began my first Black History Month Celebration with the goal of bringing to light Black historical figures and triumphs of the past, attempting to cover the spectrum of Black achievements: from the arts and sciences, politics, commerce, inventions, and other contributions to the life of our nation and of our world. … More Black History Month 2016: At the Intersection of the Past, Present, and Future
Dear Mayor: Your pleas for the patience of Baltimore Citizens in the face of this “historic” snowstorm that we are trying to dig out of are falling on deaf ears. Why? Because you are utterly clueless as to the magnitude of this storm for the people you profess to serve. Yes, we got the two … More An Open Letter to Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake In the Matter of Winter Storm Jonas, 2016
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