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Cecil Vortex

"…something like the supervisor of an entire team of political agents…"

Confession examined

February 3, 2026February 3, 2026 by Cecil Vortex

The trout-spread gluten-free bread 
toast was good
but I’ll be honest with you. 

I experienced it as great. 
And I’m trying to figure out why.

Previously, it had been spectacular. 
The kind of trout-spread gluten-free bread

toast you tell people … Read on Macduff...

Categories Book o' Verse Leave a comment

The Crying of Lot 49, Week 5

November 2, 2025 by Cecil Vortex

Here we go, friends!

A mighty showing, one and all! Well done careening collectively toward the finish!

And yes, this is a wee book. But the language is thorny, scenes swirl into each other, the comedy is mixed with some … Read on Macduff...

Categories Uncategorized 34 Comments

Enjoy your day!

October 31, 2025 by Cecil Vortex
In Holland back in the 70s
most of the houses didn't do Halloween 
so my mom would drive us around town
looking for lit lanterns in windows.

There might be three or four blocks of driving
before we spotted a
… Read on Macduff...
Categories Book o' Verse 1 Comment

The Sea Is Awash with Roses

October 30, 2025 by Cecil Vortex

There’s this lovely poem by Kenneth Patchen that I sent out a while back on my lil poem-of-the-day mailing list (aka “The Richard Brautigan poem of the day”).

I sent it out and, you know, sometimes someone writes back, and … Read on Macduff...

Categories Uncategorized, Virtual LP 1 Comment

The Crying of Lot 49 Meander, Week 4

October 26, 2025 by Cecil Vortex

Happy Sunday Meanders — we are well and into the home stretch. Just two more tiny weeks to wrap. And yet, and yet: plenty of roadway for anyone who’s behind to catch up and make the lunge to the back … Read on Macduff...

Categories Meander 31 Comments

Scene from No Kings Day

October 22, 2025October 22, 2025 by Cecil Vortex

We marched with 20,000 powerful and peaceful protesters last Saturday, through the streets of my favorite town, down over to a space by the lake shore where the crowd could gather.

There was lady leading a great chant near us … Read on Macduff...

Categories This; And also that Leave a comment

Man of Action

October 21, 2025October 20, 2025 by Cecil Vortex
If I order an egg bite I get 
my own little fork
a disposable hand that fits my right hand.

Reading its palm I see a short life. But a good one.

Focus. Focus.

I'm telling you, I'm not sitting
… Read on Macduff...
Categories This; And also that 1 Comment

The Crying of Lot 49 Meander, Week 3

October 20, 2025October 19, 2025 by Cecil Vortex

I’ve been reading the comments right after I finish each section and that is such a rich dang experience. Thanks for the hellos, for the nuanced takes, for the fact checking and the flights of fancy. And thanks to Pynchon … Read on Macduff...

Categories Meander 47 Comments

The Crying of Lot 49 Meander, Week 2

October 13, 2025October 12, 2025 by Cecil Vortex

When I was a kid there was a TV movie called A Circle of Children, starring tons of ’70s folks, and most especially featuring Albert from Little House on the Prairie, aka Matthew Labyorteaux as Brian O’Connell.

Brian was … Read on Macduff...

Categories Meander 51 Comments

The Crying of Lot 49 Meander, Week 1

October 5, 2025 by Cecil Vortex

Hey nice people — you made it! And with that, welcome to Week 1, in which we launch this hardy crew out onto the trail. Just a reminder that we are slow-cooking this time around. You may have read the … Read on Macduff...

Categories Meander 62 Comments
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