The Balcony Gardener: The Dream of Impossible Garlic
Photo by Coffee with Joshua By December, the city had folded itself into its winter shape—narrower streets of light, colder breath rising from the river, and the faint metallic…
Poetry: The Spectators
Photo by Piotr Szajewski As the sun begins to set, on the highest tips of leafless twigs are perched at least fifty sparrows, all facing toward the setting sun…
Poetry: Domestic Incantations
Photo by Jonathan Borba There are no trivial gestures. Each day is summoned not by grand events, but by the smallest rituals: the pulling of curtains, the clink of…
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
My longstanding love-hate relationship with tribute bands and nostalgia acts is certainly no secret to loyal readers and friends alike. But there’s a new, somewhat unlikely thing that evokes strong…
A Local Theatre Kid Visits Broadway
The entire audience rises to applaud as the cast members take their final bow of the night. Behind me, I hear two girls quietly weeping with amazement, as I feel…
Poetry: A New Day
Photo by Daniel Adesina To hold the day before me like a rare treasure, the hours smooth pearls strung by hand on a thick thread of longing. To recognize…
The Balcony Gardener: The Pear Cube Tea
Photo by Tim Foster The Balcony Gardener noticed the frost before she felt the chill. A silvery film on the railing, the kind that makes you pause before disturbing…
Poetry: Birth and Death
Like the trial run to the hospital when I was pregnant, I visit the San Luis cemetery with its stone and plastic-flowered landscape. Death comes with birth, yet my…
Reflections: “American Nations”
I love that Arroyo Grande—especially Branch Street Arroyo Grande—has an independent bookstore. My ego is happy because Monarch Books carries my books. We were waiting for a table to open…