The sadness that began in her core was now undulating through her body. Spreading slowly, like lava, it invaded every nerve, cell, and vein contained within her frame. She tried to outrun the feeling by filling up her day with distractions… a donation drop-off, lunch with a colleague, a cocktail with friends, late-night shopping for …
Category: Writing
my inspired blog back story
I wanted so much to just disappear; I did not want to talk to anyone, but most people need their goodbyes. I have had too many of them to need any more. "What are you going to do?" she asked me, as I was rolling my last cart of personal belongings to my car. Dammit, …
Follow your heART (essay)
Three years ago, my friend and I attended an Emerging Artist Lecture at the Phoenix Art Museum. The featured artist was Brooklyn-based contemporary artist, Arcmanoro Nile. Beyond the event invitation, neither of us knew anything about Nile, but we were excited to be out. Doing anything. We are both English teachers who had recently left …
Truth Seekers
In this day-to-day automated existence, too many people skim the surface. It is safer there. Plenty of time is spent skimming, but less purpose and commitment is found there. Less knowing and truthfulness too. Shallow swimming. Shallow breathing. Shallow connections. Shallow living. But in the depths, swim the truth seekers, where things are murky, where …
Take it or Leave it
Be a task master when you must but don’t become a slave to your tasks. Leave things better than you found them. That might mean tearing down what is broken. One brick at a time, if need be. Get your hands dirty – eventually mingled with the dirt, you will be. Make the sad cashier …
Rewritten (personal essay)
Writing, like nothing else, gives people a chance to examine personal history and rewrite the narrative. Literally. We call this “reframing” in the narrative therapy workshops I assist with. I credit author, Sandra Marinella, for introducing this potentially life-changing and scientifically supported writing technique to me. I have personally benefitted from this writing approach, and …
Mornings like this
Poetry exists for mornings like this The jasmine is bursting Orange tea leaves are steeping A gentle rain is falling One drop now thousands Last night’s wishes offered to the stars on me, now fall Your essence etched across my heart I retrace softly and slowly, all that you are I live for mornings like …
Poetry Outside (a special spotlight)
Poetry Outside by Linda Stecker i. Let there be poetry. Outside the fruit tree leaves are browning, struggling to live in the heat where I've neglected them. Inside I stay cool but I am struggling too; dehydrated, unconnected. ii. The birds only come to get their seeds. When the food is gone, so are they. …
Make it a double
Color fragments swirling through the atmosphere find a way in to my dreams. Four white walls transformed to pink tones. Like warm stones on my eyelids, the rose-colored air heats my skin. Still dreaming I feel the shift. Still dreaming I don’t lift. Still dreaming stones removed and replaced with your kiss. Layered in blush …
Eve’s Last Evening (flash fiction w/audio)
Eve's Last Evening - Flash Fiction w/audio She is a contrast in emotions. In life choices. Opposites that pull at Eve's brain, that sometimes pull her apart. One half of her brain fighting fiercely to live. To achieve. To win. The other half of her brain pulling her into a dark frozen forest. Pulling her …
My Inspired Life 