Death
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AFTER
What happens the moments before we die? Do we have one last burst of human thought before entering the afterlife? Do we experience hallucinations? Clarifications? Darkness? Light? These are the questions explored in, “After,” Andrew Schneider’s technical theater performance which… Continue reading
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The Cruelest Month — Part Three
As many of you know, I walk daily, always with dog biscuits in my pocket. Over the years, I’ve come to know dozens of dogs. I even love several of them. One of them was dear Eva. Last Thursday, Eva… Continue reading
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The Cruelest Month — Part Two
Stanley Plumly, a poet who served as the poet laureate of Maryland for nine years, died on April 11 from complications of multiple myeloma. He was 79 years old. According to his obituary in the Washington Post, Plumly’s poetry, “drew… Continue reading
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A Hush Now, Linda Gregg
Within four days of each other two of my favorite poets have died: W.S. Merwin on March 15, and Linda Gregg two days ago. Gregg was first introduced to me by my late poet friend, Kathy Mitchell, and yesterday, I… Continue reading
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Thanks, W.S. Merwin
W.S. Merwin, whose poems about the fragility of the natural world and the horrors of the Vietnam War earned him two Pulitzer Prizes and made him one of the preeminent English-language poets of the past five decades, died March 15… Continue reading
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Ignite 2/1/19
“Life is a great surprise,” said Vladimir Nabokov, “I do not see why death should not be an even greater one.” Continue reading
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Winter Sleep
Yesterday, much-loved poet Mary Oliver died of lymphoma. She was 83. As NPR posted in its obituary, “Oliver won many awards for her poems, which often explore the link between nature and the spiritual world; she also won a legion… Continue reading
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The Light Within You
This Spark and Spitfire post introduces a new regular feature and category — Sparks — thoughts, excerpts, rants, etc. — inspired by my current reading. What purpose does religion serve in our lives? Why does religion still exist in the 21st century?… Continue reading
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None of It Mattered
Two days ago, I witnessed a heartbreaking tragedy unfold on Facebook. I still can’t shake it. A month ago yesterday, I posted about the 10th anniversary of the death of my beloved feline, Isaac. The veterinarian, R (I want to… Continue reading
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Grief Lessens
Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, a Christian holiday celebrating the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ. It is also the first anniversary of my mother’s death. There’s not much difference between a… Continue reading









