I received an email yesterday from a woman who is in the Peace Corps. She had recently lost a dear colleague: Hanna Huntley from North Carolina who was volunteering in Armenia. I began reading the short obituaries posted of those who have died while serving and was deeply moved and inspired by these amazing lives. … Read More

October 2017 – RIP October ends with treats and tricks With a day of managed fear But Halloween has lost its kick We are scared throughout the year And while much today is abhorrent There’s a beacon in the distance It’s time to look to what’s important: What to buy for Christmas But worry does … Read More

Fats Domino 1928-2017 I was hitch-hiking to New Orleans I was thinking about his song Mississippi was so foreign The road went on and on I sauntered down the highway Time was on my side Everythin’ goin’ my way I’d always get a ride (In Iowa, no one saunters not that I ever saw No … Read More

  Connie Hawkins 1942-2017 John Thompson 1962-2017   How can it be that well-known thieves never pay for a life of crime but walk free while victims grieve the loss of invaluable time Connie Hawkins forever denied the years he would have soared John Thompson locked inside The only exit:  death’s door   Hawkins could … Read More

Tom Petty 1950-2017 If home is hell and so is school It can easily define who you are To build a life you need a tool For Tom Petty it was a guitar (with apologies to Woody Guthrie Slaying tyrants takes a knife And who wants a guitar all bloody When it can resurrect a … Read More

Albert Speer Jr. 1934-2017 Every boy wants to be his father To be his equal and to further his reflection But could blood be less thick than water? A needle of evil, a Fuhrer injection “My whole life I have tried To distance myself from him.” The Reich and his father long ago died Yet … Read More