Who Killed Jerry McCormick? Dark Humor in Robert Frost
“The fate of human and the fate of animal is the same: as the one dies, so the other dies; both have the selfsame breath. Human is in no way better off than animal –since all is futile.” –Quoheleth, son of David[i]. “[The Human] is but a basket of festering offal provided for the support … Read more
A Fly Angler’s Genesis
Memories of fishing lakes and streams pulse like the last light of a dying star. Neither brilliant nor faded, they contribute to the entire sky-scape of adolescence. So, it was a sad moment when, last summer, I threw out jars of moldy salmon eggs, knotted leaders, rusted hooks and lures that had occupied my tackle … Read more
Review of REI Arete ASL 2 Tent
Originally submitted at REI The REI Arete ASL (All Season Light) 2 tent fills the gap between the limited seasonality of ultralight tents and the robustness of 4-season tents. Since I hike and camp all year round, I needed a tent that was light and yet hefty enough to withstand heavy snows, wind and rain. … Read more
Economy of a Landlady
She walks with her head, like a fish swims, keeping rhythm and tempo with her inner craziness. Always on a phone, always doin’ business, she’s too quick a talker to listen to nonsense. Intense flavors in her eyes season her talk; a quick flip of a two-pronged tongue, an indifferent comment about the lawn with … Read more
A Sweede Explained It Best
No more wine in the glasses but staining the enamel of our thoughts a deep hue of red- “That is the essence of who we are” said the Sweede. “My spirit lives in the Yes of future, my flesh endures the No of gravity.” It grew dark in a hurry and he left before the … Read more
Parody of Noumenon
There is a notable difference between the walk and dress of a Northerner and that of a Southerner. The former’s each step is a quick and cold premise to a logical deduction on the soul of man and his khaki, pleated pants are his orthodoxy. The Southerner, whose eyes are still closed from a long … Read more
La Lata
Castilian or The Critical Theory of Aesthetics: it is difficult to say which I had a firmer grasp on at the time. Though never faltering to convey my ideas, my personality and sense of humor was still latent beneath the silver halide of language. I was often taken by surprise when I caused an eruption … Read more
The Phallic Electric
This was written after a few lectures on Walt Whitman where the subject was tirelessly centered around his phallic obsession and copulative devices. There is no doubt a place and even need to read his work that way. I struggle with the way the lecture and consequent discussion never left the matter. So, frustrated I … Read more
The Old Barlow
On the way to see the old Barlow We passed through apple orchards Outside Hood River. We stopped by a tree, blood-red and ripe, And you leaned out to draw the air, Clammy with an early winter. The Barlow took many lives. Dreams stuck in the ruts, mud caked on faces. The winter snows froze … Read more
