The weather here in San Francisco has been moody lately. It is dark in my living room at 4:30pm. It’s a fitting environment for slowing down and reflecting on this year that is coming to a close.

In my notes app I have a note labeled “Misc” that continues to expand and is reminding me of a wild, overgrown garden. In this extremely long note I found a draft of a poem I was writing and decided to share it with you, in its present form, along with a recent photo from a shop window I pass often on my walks to the park. I love the expression on her face, and her Schlumbergera hair. The poem and photo speak to how I’m feeling as we wind down 2025.

I’m getting close to finishing my second book. I’ve been enjoying this phase of the writing process and believe I’ll wrap it up in 2026. Send good vibes my way.

I hope you’ve found many moments of joy this year. Wishing you peace and some quiet time for reflection during these last days of December.

OLD SOAP

First it was the news.
Then social media.
I wanted more space. Years
passed. One day I ran out of data.
When I went for a walk I couldn’t
look anything up, I couldn’t even
send a photo. It slowed me down,
in the best way. I was sitting
on the quiet side of the park
when I remembered Linda Pastan
would never write another book.
But I did have new Dorianne Laux
poems with me. I wanted to take
a photo of an especially poignant
one, share it with someone special,
but no. My phone was on hiatus. I’d
have to sit with her words, alone. It’s
probably the way it should have been.
The way it should be moving forward.
The way it once was. It reminded me
of the Paul Harding character who
wanted the old soap, a character I
understand more each year.