gbeckla

[gbeckla]

Next

He knows he has nothing to fear from Court to ballot-box. A woman-Turk-academic? Nothing to no one, meat to howling Christians. Beautiful.They know – masked ICE agents stalking intelligence, scenting terror: the red-hats want this, want it bad; make it scream, haha. America knows “YOU’RE FIRED!” as the show goes on because no one cries over spilled milk and breaking eggs is the business of…

[gbeckla]

Done is done

Sarah Beth and her daughter Jane lay on the quilt made when Josiah Jacob Parks and his wife followed the Lord south and settled the edge of the Republic of Texas.   Sarah Beth and Jane wore their Sunday best and held hands. A mug crashed in the kitchen, probably the one Jane bought him so long ago the letters were wore off.  “All thumbs,” Jim called down the hallway.  Then: “Come on you two. …

[gbeckla]

A California-cool option for Late-Night readers...

You can read my latest poem collection, Late-Night Lucid, through your local library! For free! Through Indie California, library patrons throughout The Golden State have access to an electronic version of the book that already has one 5-star review on Goodreads. (It’s the only review; we all have to start somewhere.) I am proud to have had my work selected by an organization whose purpose is the…

[gbeckla]

Jake

“I have to be honest,” Jake said once they were comfortable on the couch.  “Really.  It’s better to get it out of the way.” Esmeralda shifted toward him.  She was puerile, emotionally, not physically.  Physically, Esmeralda was a rather developed gem.  That’s why Jake finally said yes.  He thought maybe somebody used to prejudice would look at him…differently. “I want to know,” she whined. …

[gbeckla]

"Conversations I didn't hear

                “After everything he’s been through…”“Sports’ll knock some sense into him. Teach him something.”                “He’s smart – he’ll figure it out.”        “Just don’t say anything. You always say something        and it always lands wrong.”“Life is going to hit that kid sideways.”        “He says he wants to go to Japan. Live there.        What’s he think he’s gonna find? Big…

[gbeckla]

No need

I wonder where my hand is in all this, this marsh where moss floats and webs stay put, bugs plane pond-skin unafraid of the sleepy-eyed frog just back from the edge and full. Here is safe and here is calm;nothing ever happens here that wasn’tfore-ordained, announced by ripples orsudden silence. It feels like death.Happiness would be a shock.No need.I’ll bide my time, lay here wild, skim this…

[gbeckla]

To Life

Danny remembered when he stopped telling people he was going to live forever.  It was around the time he decided doctors didn’t know shit.  His grandma once told him that was dumb and that he should take care of himself, but then she died after only 95 years all because a doctor told her she had cancer for a liver. Danny told her not to pay attention but she said it was okay.  “I’m kinda tired…

[gbeckla]

Checking In: Not a Newsletter

The state of L’État Winter left Los Angeles this week; it’s 80 degrees outside and I’ve run the air conditioner a couple of times “just to make sure it works.” I saw a t-shirt this week that read something like: Los Angeles: Earthquake. Fire. Flood. Democrats. The first three plagues brought a half-sigh from me, as in “Yeah, we’ve been through it, haven’t we.” Especially the fires. Those were…

[gbeckla]

And then I thought

“We really shouldn’t.” “That’s not what your body is saying.” I knew that.  I looked down.  The commentary was unmistakable.  It had been so long I felt like I was rising from the grave.  I stepped forward. “Mmmm.” We matched each other perfectly.  Our ears touched and his hands went to my waist.  “You’re beautiful,” he said. I knew I wasn’t.  I knew that was just something you say to get…

[gbeckla]

One Short Sleep

“They call it sleep, you know.  Death.” Big Mike took another hit and rolled a finger forward in a circle, giving Little Mike permission to continue.  We leaned back against the couch and waited our turn.  Big Mike brought good shit.  He called the shots. “Good way to think about it.  ‘One short sleep past’ or something.” Little Mike looked around to make sure we were paying attention. Joey…

[gbeckla]

Matches

I watched as Billy tried to light the flimsy cardboard match out on the back porch.  It wouldn’t catch and he was crying. “Think about this the next time you decide to waltz around in your mother’s shoes.” Billy’s fingers were already a little burned.  I was allowed to watch because that’s what happens when you dishonor the family like that.  “No son of mine…” Dad began but then noticed Billy…

[gbeckla]

JB

JB came back nine days after the funeral. Slipped right in like the place was still his. Felt good to have him back, real good. Afterwards I got myself a beer. "Where you been?" "You know where. Places to see, people to be. You want more?" Wham-bam no thank-you ma'am. Same trailer, same bed, same JB. "You know I do." He was getting ready for another round. I felt him rev up. “Yeah, you’re queer…

[gbeckla]

Résistance

Resistance is not wearing a pink hator marching with a million people or speaking your dreams hoping to tame wild beasts.That’s solidarity, and it won’t work.Resistance is not trusting loveas the enemy nails beams together.It is not honesty before Pilate. It is not true to Self.Truth is for Jesus, aching to die.Resistance is silence as you speak lies.It is saying yes to Christian neighborsand…

[gbeckla]

You're one of them, aren't you?

I stand in the center of a rosebed I remember differently.  A lot can change in forty years.  And memory, it’s shifting sand.  At least it’s sunny out.  A woman in the dirt looks up, drops her trowel. But instead of screaming, she says, “You’re one of them, aren’t you?”  Sometimes our reputation precedes us.  She looks kind.  The only question now is what she might want.  I’m a giver. The coffee…

[gbeckla]

Santa Cruz Sound

“So this is where you and mom used to come.  When you were in high school.” Jake knows the story.  He is being nice and bored out of his mind.  Somehow my kid communicates both at the same time. “Yep.  Freshman year.  School beach trip.” A girl down the beach throws a bottle into a garbage can and screams when bees swarm over the sand toward her parents’ tent and force them to run in opposite…

[gbeckla]

Maricopa

We arrived in Maricopa April 2.  Uncle Bill thought it was funny that we came from Maricopa, Arizona, to Maricopa, California. “Just think about how many people will get a kick outta that one,” he said. “I’m going for a run,” I said.   Dad glanced up, not at me.  Near me.  “Go up along Klipstein to the highway.  Open Country.”  I took off. * The streets were flat and dusty, cracked asphalt…

[gbeckla]

Swim Dogs

No one knew who Dylan was swimming for.  Everybody watching him rock his arm muscles before he mounted the block and bent forward following his loose hands down to the lip of the platform assumed it was for the title or maybe for college.  Girls, maybe.   His dad watched from the stands.  He could see the clock and the block when Dylan pulled back for the spring and looked one last time down the…