Practicing to Walk Like a Heron

Some Notes Taken While the Media Try to Come to Terms with the Life and Death of Michael Jackson

50 Some Notes Taken While the Media Try to Come to Terms with the Life and Death of Michael Jackson The lilies we transplanted last week seem to be doing well. It’s been hot and dry, but they are fine. My wife’s father didn’t recognize her when she visited him yesterday. He is now refusing to take a shower. “I’m not interested any more in being wet.” We skipped going to the fireworks on the Fourth. Played mah-jongg instead, listened to the explosions. When our daughter was little, she would say, “I even love the booms.” This summer a friend of mine’s son would be twenty-one. The Farmers’ Market is worth going to if only for the shades of red and yellow. And the hats. I keep hearing “Chilly Winds.” Do you remember it? “Wish I were a headlight on a westbound train.” Must remember to put out the recycle bin. Most everything works sometimes. It’s been a very long time since I’ve seen a kid with a BB gun. Or a slingshot. 51 Last night I went to look at the stars. It was cloudy. But the stars were there. I thought I saw a deer settling down into sleep on the other side of the woodpile. Even when I look at our dog I’m surrounded by doubt. Sleep. Four violins. Wind on its way. ...