runners

Spider Plant

When I opened my eyes this morning,
the fact of its shooting out
long thin green runners on which miniatures
of the mother will sprout,
and that each of these offshoots
could in its own time repeat this,
terrified me. And something seemed awful
in the syllables of the word "Brenda,"
sounding inside me before they made a name,
then making a name of no one I've known.
i had been dreaming I was married to Patty
again. She kept coming on my tongue
and I knew if I put myself in
we'd have to stay together this time.
But I wanted to, and did, and as I did
the sadness and pleasure of our nine years together
washed through me as a river, yet
I knew this wasn't right, it couldn't
work, and though we were now enmeshed
forever, I began to rise from my body
making love with her on the bed and to hover
at a little distance over both of us.
That's when I awoke and saw the spider plant.

-Michael Ryan

thinking of winter in the summer

In Winter

At four o'clock it's dark.
Today, looking out through dusk at three gray women in stretch slacks
chatting in front of the post office,
their steps left and right and back
like some quick folk dance of kindness,
I remembered the winter we spent
crying in each other's laps.
What could you be thinking at this moment?
How lovely and strange the gangly spines
of trees against a thickening sky
as you drive from the library
humming off-key? Or are you smiling
at an idea met in a book
the way you smiled with your whole body
the first night we talked?
i was so sure my love of you was perfect,
and the light today
reminded me of the winter you drove home
each day in the dark at four o'clock
and would come into my study to kiss me
despite mistake after mistake after mistake.

-Michael Ryan

ba da ba ba ba ba baaaaa, I'm Alive!

I woke up feeling grateful.

I had a dream last night that I was graduating from high school and was actually sad about it, sad about leaving Mr Schwing and Calculus (nerd alert) and about leaving my friends. I felt so scared about going out into the world for the first time, and I had no idea what was going to happen to me next. I looked to close friends and mentor for answers and for comfort. I woke up with that terrible "I've just been crying in my dream" feeling, but soon absorbed the presence of my room and Riley, snuggled up by my side. I realized that the rest of my life has a basic plan that's beginning in 10 days. I'm settled, independent, and living in a city I absolutely love. I'm so happy with myself and where I am.

<3

AAW5100

I've decided to jump back on the blog wagon, even though everyone else has jumped off (ahem, Maddie, Amy, and Milf). A lot has happened in the past month. Some highlights:

Benny Benassi. I danced my butt off all night and had SO MUCH FUN!

Tatianni moving in. New roomie/partner in crime/fellow enjoyer of life that I have been spending most of my time with! We've been having so much fun.

Golden Gardens Park. Spent a sunny & lazy afternoon at a great beach in Seattle. Yes, a beach in Seattle. With snow capped mountains over the water and lush green trees behind us. Adam played guitar and I found a crab shell to look at for a long time. I've been thinking about No Impact Man and been working more on my footprint. I bring my reusable bag everywhere and try to always bring a water bottle. I bought a used item of clothing. I went to the Farmer's Market for fruits and veggies (all local organic). I cleaned up the beach for 10 minutes to bring some positive into my wholly negative impact on this planet. I felt like it was a huge accomplishment for me to actually act on what I think about. Next goals: buy some potting soil and plant a few plants, build my worm compost bin, look into trail cleanup/restoration, and go check out another market! mmm strawberries and tomatoes...

Hiking! I've been hiking every weekend as usual. I've decided that the weekly hike is equivalent to church--it's my religion--it grounds me, re-centers me, and puts my life back into focus.

Denny Creek--twice in 3 weeks!

Snow Lake: an adventure in bushwhacking up and down a snow covered mountain while trying to get as little snow as possible into my shoes and underwear (I had worn jean shorts like a smart person) and punching holes in half melted snow piles with um, your entire leg in a hole. It seems terrible and difficult, but I laughed all day and was proud of myself afterwards.

Annette Lake: a journey into the clouds with a hyperactive dog who was unsure of snow (and hypoallergenic) and an owner who could not detach from her twitter long enough to appreciate the following:

I start grad school in 12 days. That's less than two weeks! I've been preparing myself for the transition back into a student. I spent the day today cleaning the house top to bottom, and yesterday I straightened out all car related Washington registration, insurance, and WA license getting. I ordered my books for summer classes (used) on Amazon, and mailed in my acceptance/agreement for financial aid. I'm committed and excited!

<3