Last Summer

 

The wind is blowing fall at us,

pushing summer south,

but autumn is chameleon, like spring:

They imitate their neighbors

where they end and they begin.

 

August 26 2020 

 

Development

 

Different crows we have, now,

stalking the lawns,

sitting the fences, 

arguing--

over what, makes no difference, 

it's all the competition, isn't it?

Elbow room,

or wing, if you like, 

and God knows there's not much left of either,

with the trash woods coming down

and the carriage houses going up,

and the new folk set to park their cars

--not knowing, and no shame to them--

where the deer our dogs do scent at night

once bedded.

August 22 2020

Walk Last Winter

He’s riotous.

We haven’t been here in days: 

Damn the snowflakes; 

I’ll howl them all away 

and drag you into the woods besides. 

I don’t mind a leash 

if you’re prepared 

to stumble where I fly. 

Winter 2019

Juice

We didn't know 

cherries on little glasses 

could someday mean home 

to children we didn't know then.

August 8 2020

Damage

I don't know peace.

My nights are filled with broken cars.

That isn't true,

but I don't tell my dreams to just anyone:

They say too much.

Capture my imaginings,

you might own my soul

surer than a camera can catch it;

and though mine seems often mostly injury,

if I let it go

I'll have nothing left to heal.

August 19 2020

Civil society or civil war: What's the point of talking?

 

More on civil discourse. 

You can't win a FB argument, so why bother talking to someone you disagree with? Because it's important. We're in crisis, and unless you want a civil war, cooling things down is a good thing to do. The point of civil discourse isn't to convince your partner you're right (or passively accept your partner's view); it is to give him/her the experience of talking civilly and to strengthen bonds. Providing food for thought is a nice extra, but don't count on it.

Civil discourse is a diplomatic tool for keeping all sides at the table, open to talking, and increasingly aware of commonality.

This good, brief article: 

https://www.charleskochinstitute.org/issue-areas/free-speech-and-toleration/civil-discourse-important/

From the article: "Kenneth J. Gergen describes civil discourse as the "language of dispassionate objectivity," and suggests that it requires respect of the other participants...it neither diminishes the other's moral worth, nor questions their good judgment; it avoids hostility, direct antagonism, or excessive persuasion; it requires modesty and an appreciation for the other participant's experiences."

From Wikipedia: "Civil discourse is engagement in discourse (conversation) intended to enhance understanding." 

Here are some specific suggestions for successful discourse, based on my experience. 

• No sarcasm. 
• No temper. 
• No clever made-up names ("demotards, republitards, Christards...").
  
• Do not say, “I find it amusing...” This will be interpreted as a slight or as code for, “It really makes me angry...” 
• If you start with, “I don’t want to sound like an X...”, ask yourself why you’re saying what you’re about to say. Maybe you really are an X, but just don’t want to admit it. Maybe you know that what you’re going to say is wrong. 
• Don't preach to the choir--or at least, don't do only that. Rousing the troops is okay (but see "civil war"), but if you can also broker peace, that's better. 
• Two wrongs don't make a right. Firing back at hostility generally makes things worse.
  
• Ask a respectful question before replying to a statement. FB encourages brief posts. You need to make sure you understand, and it also makes your partner friendlier, which is the real point. You can do worse than to ask your partner to evaluate your position.
  
• No long screeds or rants. People give up half way through, and you can probably edit way back to cut duplication and asides. (I know, I just screwed up on this one.) 

If you have thoughts about civil discourse, I'd be interested to hear them. 

August 10 2020

 

H.M.S. Resolution

 

Buoyed by virtue, I
surge forth, prow high.
Swells I will overtop,
fear not.

                Behold,
I am confident in grace.
To hell's own latitude I will chase
the imps of morning
that thought to torture me
in bed,

              till none remain,
and I come about, triumphant,
seas reclaimed,
for good to sail in peace
on friendly water.

August 8 2020