Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius - and a lot of courage - to move in the opposite direction. -- E.F. Schumacher
In normal times, our leaders would be working tirelessly to remind us of our common humanity. Reminding us that the people we see on the streets in this country are not the people making decisions about war and peace in others. In normal times, our fellows would be sensitive enough to our situations that they [ ]
three kids on twomotorized bikespointing arms in my direction yelling Bom! Bom! Bom! BOM! laughter with the unsteady deepness of near-adultsbut the casual cruelty of still-childs -Anonymous Badger, March 2025, Granite Bay, CA, USA
Four years ago the bulb within this lampHad burnt to a flickering nothingAnd I sat within that circle of light-that-wasn tLaunching pieces of myself through the darknessTo one i trusted to hold my soul Alas, those days are doneAnd although the trust remains I do not knowIf that is curse or blessing . No violent demarcation lives [ ]
The urge to connect tempered with the fear of rejection Caught in the oscillation of a harp string Blurring back and forth hesitant question: do you want to talk? Peering into the box Where has the particle settled? -Anonymous Badger, Sacramento, December 2024
Shadows and reflections Dynamic still lifes Reality filtered -Anonymous Badger, Sacramento, December 2024
The defining feature of depression for me is lack of resilience. When I m depressed, minor setbacks become major. Problems overwhelm. It s easy to drown. -Anonymous Badger, Granite Bay, 2024
Tu vens pela ponte. Tu vês carros a passar pela rua à tua direita. Um comboio vem do lado oposto de onde vinhas. Vês pássaros a mergulhar no rio, pescando os seus jantares. Vejo-te a vir na minha direção. Vens lentamente, aproveitando a luz da tarde à tarde. Pássaros, ponte; carros, comboio todas estas coisas [ ]
Ainda noiteOlhar através do rioLuzes das lojas desligem-se uma por umaVentos respiram suaves suspirosBeijos nas minhas bochechasSaudade atinge-meEsperar por algo desconhecidoMeu coração anseia conexão (Mostly written as an exercise in using Portuguese)
I wanted to give you a giftI m not offendedThat you rejected itI justWanted you to know whyI would show up at your doorEven though I still can tSee your friendsWithout freezingAnd wanting to die -Granite Bay, April, 2024
I had a dream That I was in the middle of retrieving shredded wheat and cheerios from my own private stash because the housemate who always ate them had moved out and the new housemate said that she d eat them with me When I realized that you were talking to me from my pocket My [ ]