Conversation w Clara in the bath, while reading Ramona Do you know what ‘Conscience’ means? No Do you want me to tell you? OK People usually think that a Conscience helps you know when you have hurt someone else, or broken a social rule, does that sound familiar? No Do you think you can tellContinue reading “A conscience”
Author Archives: Devon Riley
Geologic time
CW: this poem is sexy. *** Facedown on This rock Ask to feel Geologic time Strip on a pink Granite slope Stroking my Pink granite Skin Torso tipped over Plunging hand Deer tail ticks Side to side Legs straight Arch to hip Ass lifted off Hamstring Inner thighs Open both Touching and showing Cold thermalContinue reading “Geologic time”
June 24
Zelda and I rode to Laurelhurst park on May 31st to protest. It was the second night since this most recent iteration of the uprising for Black Life had sparked in Portland. Maybe the third. Jeff had just gone downtown to “help clean up” with John G. Tonight I will march again … for theContinue reading “June 24”
March 31st
Last night, something real happened between my daughter and me. As a friend said, “everyone’s regular patterns are just getting louder right now.” As my therapist said, “Strategies are going to show up.” As another friend said, “I don’t think we can expect to do this better; I think we can only try to be kind toContinue reading “March 31st”
March 30th
Yesterday I scrubbed away the thick black line of goo (sneaky, deep-crack goo) that was making the dishwasher (and the inside of the wine glasses which should smell purely like waiting-for-wine and the steam that should smell foggy-clean when it rises into your face as you open the door) smell like old fish. As IContinue reading “March 30th”
Birthday letter, 7
December 24, 2019 Deanie, we are 7 years this day from the day you came out of me, there on the living room floor under the tree where you are sleeping now. The kittens are curled around your legs. Hazel in my bed upstairs. The presents on the table – including a card you madeContinue reading “Birthday letter, 7”
A month in
Dear A– I’m thinking about you in academia. Thinking about your body. I imagine R is a good companion, helping you eat warm food and find pleasure and shake off some of those many many hours. The weather here has turned. I am eating soup. This past weekend Zelda and I went into the woodsContinue reading “A month in”
Eulogy
Wevan is dead. When we got it (they? her?), Clara’s language was such that she called it We-vaan. The name stuck. The last place I drove in Wevan was the farmer’s market on Saturday with H and my mom. A good last trip, though we had no indications of trouble. The next day the batteryContinue reading “Eulogy”
An email from last September
Hi beauty. Woke at 4 yesterday bc my alarm was still set for the airport. Didn’t realize til 5. Worked 7 – 6, including traffic. Not as bad as I expected, honestly. I look around the room at the career teachers who are the leads for Work Samples for their buildings and are about toContinue reading “An email from last September”
September 4
As this new school year begins I am reminded again and again of the relevance of my internal experiences to how I am supporting and honoring the experiences of those around me. I notice tremors of insufficiency and recognize the spirit of scarcity behind these momentary possessions. Who benefits from my sense of scarcity? Or,Continue reading “September 4”
Practice with Devon 