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The delicate disposition of the white southern man
After Rusty had killed the man (He shot him in the back) he needed to reshape the evidence. That man–he came at me! This, of course, was hogwash But the shots were justified (All 12 of them to the back) self-defense is such an easy excuse – he came at me! – he would claim…
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Other People’s Clothes
In the front load washer, I can see whites and darks and grays mixed together. The checked blue shirt, gym shorts with the single cinched drawstring, and the lacy number that may be a halter top. I look at your clothes like an alien species or as a xenophobe looks at their neighbor, considering him…
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What is Wrong?
We blame immigrants We blame minorities We blame women We blame sexuality We blame immorality We blame liberals We blame conservatives We blame judges We blame cops We blame communities We blame mothers We blame fathers We blame workers We blame corporations We blame executives We blame bankers We blame lawyers We blame soldiers We…
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Hard Truth For Today’s Problem
Belief Believing “they have always done it” does not make it right. Thinking “they must’ve deserved it” does not mean they did. Fearing for your life does not justify your taking theirs. Holding a weapon doesn’t make you safe. Choosing the easier route for yourself may make it harder for someone else. Supporting only people…
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Our Side
Our side is the side that sits with the maimed and the murdered. Our side is the side that sits with the peaceful and the beaten, the prophet and the martyr. Our side is the side that sits with the people pained by the world and wrestles with the pain itself. Grappling with hate and…
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A Wild Perfection
There is something annoying about perfection.Like a gift, wrapped closed, pristinethe brown paper folded, taped, encircledby paper ribbon, then tied–here! A wild bow like straw,like the uncouth prophet emerging from the wildswith lips sticky from locusts and honey,camel’s hair clothing and belt—known simplyas The Baptizer.Scraggly, unblemished, and unknown.We resist opening and sheddingthis rugged, ravishing beautythat…
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On Rising With the Sun
If I were to personify the sun, I would find myself waking with a secret companion, hidden in plain sight. So obvious that she could be missed by each of us – especially my spouse, who is no morning person. The sun, my mistress rises before I want to, before I can even bring my…
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Origin stories are overrated
I tell people they won’t get the origin when they ask. That isn’t the story they actually want. That jumbled mess of confusion and diminished dreams pierced by a stunning bit of clarity. That sounds like a grand story of adventure and it is always mundane, normal. The story equivalent of a ham sandwich.…