Cecil Vortex

I’m 39 and convinced that I’m middle aged. Which is fine by me. In fact, I like it. It’s kind of like I’m floating around in the middle of a lake in an inflatable tube. There’s lots of water on all sides. My feet are trailing in the water while my head leans back onto … Read more

If I had a coffeehouse, this would be my motto: “A frightened clientele is an obedient clientele.” Or perhaps: “A nervous clientele is a loyal clientele.” I’d spray my customers with hormones as they walked through the door. To mark them. I’d control the colors they wore. I’d make the colors dance for me. Dance … Read more

Crickly crack. Warm mice pop spin slice. Crickle. Are eating my crickly. Eating my crickly music. music. music.

My 6-year-old son’s having a playdate right now. There are clinking noises and murmurs coming through the open door to his room. And then I hear my son say this: “I’ll trade you a Jewish Bible.” A what?! You heard right, he’s trying to trade his friend a Torah, that ancient fount of sacred wisdom. … Read more

Shampoo was nice enough to publish/post one of my poems this week in Issue 28 (under my so-called “real name”). It’s an excellent issue, including a poem by Rodney Koeneke, one of my favorite living Americans. If ya get a chance, checkitout. This little wahoo got me to add a Published category over on the … Read more