Secrets

Something terrible had happened, and I needed to tell the authorities. I made a solemn recording to offer anonymously the following information: the neighbors’ babysitter had had her boyfriend over. She had been expressly forbidden to have her boyfriend over. They talked. Yes, I was burdened with this information. How could I have borne it? […]

Maps

The pieces hang in museums and galleries like stars, hang there like they spontaneously appeared in their corporeal forms. I understand much better that books do not get spat out fully formed. For good or ill, I know that they come in blobs and spits and sprints and marathons. I am an enthusiastic painter and […]

The War

All my growing-up years, guns were in movies and (I imagined) in the hands of people less interesting and educated than me. I had no idea why anyone would want or need a gun. I moved to the city eleven years ago. I remember hearing someone got shot in the parking lot of the drugstore […]

The Tempest

My most persistent “You’re not helping me” student– let’s call her X– surprised me yesterday. I need a pencil. I don’t have my book. You didn’t tell us to bring it. You’re not helping me. Can I go to my locker to get __________? If I hear any of these one more time, I […]