“The [person] who refuses sentiment refuses the full spectrum of human behavior, and then just dries up. … I would rather give full vent to all human loves and disappointments, and take a chance on being corny, than die a smartass.” — Jim Harrison
A Christmas List for Santa
A Wednesday afternoon with no thoughts of Thursday
Three weeks in the woods, two by myself, one with my father
My father
Cups of tea, plates for sugar cookies, the first ones I ever made, the dough still sticking to my fingertips
Comic books from the late ‘40s: Little Lulu, The Green Hornet, Felix the Cat
Every creek from the upper peninsula of Michigan
The last page from twenty unpublished novels
The ease of a dog’s sleep
Five gold rings
A moon-draped evening among the birds in the hemlocks
Any snow-covered pile of leaves
Photographs, I don’t care how many, of my daughter just before she smiles
for the camera
Seven moments with the lucidity of cutting yourself with a bread knife
Whatever happens between what happens
The liturgy of an old monk laughing
–Jack Ridl
from Practicing to Walk Like a Heron (Wayne State University Press)
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