In May 2025 I was on a solo trip to the mountains, and I found myself quite surprised to be sitting all alone crying over the loss, a year and a half before, of someone I had never met. This poem poured out of me right then and there. I’ve heard writers say that aContinue reading “Dear Jimmy”
Author Archives: harshmanvgmailcom
Solstice and Seasons
It’s 5:30 AM. On a Sunday. And I am wide awake. I should get another hour or two of sleep, but I just can’t. It’s been light outside for about an hour, and the sun rose 25 minutes ago. The air is cool, the early morning sunbeams making their way through the trees are warm,Continue reading “Solstice and Seasons”
Lessons From the Porch
Fifty years of habitsAre awfully hard to shake. They served me well for a long, long time, But now some need to break.For as long as I remember,I’ve been chasing the next thing. From school to college to career, Always reaching for the next brass ring.Make task lists, prioritize.Plan and plan again. Up before dawn,Continue reading “Lessons From the Porch”
Always Stop at the Lemonade Stand
Babies have a ripple effect. All life is interconnected, but babies seem to have an outsized influence well before they arrive. Our grandchild’s impending arrival has necessitated the complete rearrangement of rooms in our daughter and son-in-law’s condo, giving the grandparents plenty of opportunities to help. We learned the term “machatunim” from some good friendsContinue reading “Always Stop at the Lemonade Stand”
Life is Short, Paddleboard Now
This life that I live takes me many places,This time New Orleans and Daytona Beach. On this trip I’m lucky to have Chrissy along, When we’re together fun is always in reach.Four days of music, two days of conference, The inbox beyond overflowing. We woke up that morning and checked the calendar:”Paddleboard tour” – it’sContinue reading “Life is Short, Paddleboard Now”
Meanwhile, Distant Relatives
Another night on the road. Another hotel on another frontage road next to another interstate highway. Many of these nights blur together, but not tonight. I live in a barbeque desert. There are many great things in New England, but barbeque isn’t one of them. So, finding myself in Austin on business, a barbeque dinnerContinue reading “Meanwhile, Distant Relatives”
Island Time
Monday morning’s here, the alarm goes off again A deadline to meet, a plane to catch, a meeting to attend We humans are damn good at generating stress But deep down in our souls, we all know better than thisIsland time is a state of mindWhere nothing’s more important than being kindIt doesn’t matter whereContinue reading “Island Time”
I Didn’t Cross The River, The River Crossed Me
Another business trip, another adventure. I am fortunate to have a career that takes me to interesting places and to be at a stage of life where I can add some extra time to enjoy. This time Chrissy and I were off to El Paso, Texas – a place we likely wouldn’t have chosen onContinue reading “I Didn’t Cross The River, The River Crossed Me”
Just A Few Friends
We were sitting around a cozy fire, The last time was years ago.These old friends together again,The moment’s warmth outshone the glow. This group met back in college,A few decades have passed since then.We only spent four months together And we packed a whole lot in. Friday night chicken wings, A bungee jump at theContinue reading “Just A Few Friends”
Peaceful Day
58,318 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to our right, invisible behind the hill but there all the same. 19 statues in the Korean War Veterans Memorial to our left, looking like shadows moving among the snow and trees. 4,048 stars, each representing 100 lives lost, shimmering in the winter sun on the World WarContinue reading “Peaceful Day”
Where Are We Going Now? 