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Happy Memorial Day

Monday, May 30th, 2022

Video: an origin story

Happy Memorial Day!

Learn more about how the holiday started in Charleston, S.C.

Vote 2022: Alabama primary election results

Tuesday, May 24th, 2022

Vote 2022

Election results from today’s primaries in Alabama …

More election coverage in our Vote 2022 special report.

The runoff takes place June 21.

Voter turnout:

  • Alabama: 21.96 percent
  • Jefferson County: 22.34 percent

(Updating throughout the evening.)

Democrats

(Contested races only)

Winner in red | Runoff candidates in blue

Republicans

(Contested races only)

Winner in red | Runoff candidates in blue

Amendments

Winner in red

Twitter

• • •

More Vote 2022 coverage.

Vote 2022: May day, May day

Tuesday, May 24th, 2022

Time to start marking ballots. The polls are open till 7 tonight for Alabama’s midterm elections.

Vote 2022

Q: Where do I vote?

A: Call Jefferson County: (205) 325-5550, Jefferson County (Bessemer only): (205) 481-4105, Shelby County: (205) 669-3913.

Or Search Your Polling Place on AlabamaVotes.gov.

Wade on Birmingham:
election results tonight

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out these sample ballots for each county.

You’re voting for U.S. Senator, state (including governor) and county officials.

Who are you voting for today? Tell us in the comments.

• • •

More Vote 2022 coverage.

Vote 2022: Sample ballots for Jefferson, Shelby County primaries

Tuesday, May 17th, 2022

Vote 2022

The midterm elections are upon us. On May 24, cast your ballots in Alabama for state and local races.

We have the sample ballots for Jefferson and Shelby Counties for the primaries.

Find your polling place/districts.

Check out the top state and county offices up for grabs. And peruse the Alabama Voter Guide 2022, with voting procedures and frequently asked questions.

For easier viewing, you can print, download or zoom to full screen with each ballot.

Vote next Tuesday, with runoffs on June 21.

• • •

Sample ballots for all 67 counties.

• • •

Jefferson County: Democratic ballot

[Mobile version]

Jefferson County: Republican ballot

[Mobile version]

• • •

Shelby County: Democratic ballot

[Mobile version]

Shelby County: Republican ballot

[Mobile version]

• • •

Alabama Voter Guide 2022

[Mobile version]

• • •

Candidate guides:

• • •

More Vote 2022 coverage.

Wade’s 101: Haiku retrospective 60

Tuesday, May 17th, 2022

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  1. smoke break, winter edition
    Bundle the fuck up
    for a 5-minute sojourn
    by the back entrance.
  2. use the good china today
    Candles, wines, cigars,
    gift cards, linens … break them all
    out and use them up.
  3. poetic instant analysis
    Scanning the lines for
    wordplay and symbolism,
    tripping on meter.
  4. hearing the words of the verse
    A melodic burst
    of syllables, a brief hush
    of understanding.
  5. feminist turned misogynist
    Once a hero, now
    a goat. Made us believe he
    was part of the cause.
  6. modern valentines 1
    Please accept these terms
    and conditions as shown to
    be my valentine.
  7. modern valentines 2
    Swipe right, hey gurl, a
    few suggestive emoji,
    pre-date, confirmed date.
  8. modern valentines 3
    A non-binary
    throuple with hints of poly
    and no jealousy.
  9. cupid 2022
    Arrows tipped with love
    potion and double dose of
    Moderna vaccine.
  10. ultimate poker face
    Remarkable self-
    poise, or the last one ever
    before dropping dead.
  11. the whitest supremacy
    The thought police do
    kindly request that books by
    black authors be banned.
  12. the great resignation
    What happens when a
    society finds out the
    true value of work?
  13. no time for breathing
    He practiced a form
    of keen mindfulness that ran
    on autopilot.
  14. dog in training
    Learning to beg and
    roll and sit and come and stay
    for praise and biscuits.
  15. with facebook, your junk is someone else’s treasure
    I gave away a
    20-year-old TV set
    in just 2 hours.
  16. technical(ly) gibberish
    (It’s not exactly
    gibberish since very smart
    people make it work.)
  17. make it awkward
    Share too much, dance in
    front of a crowd, and swipe right
    on people you know.
  18. dry month
    Lock up the liquor
    cabinet and throw away
    the six-packs of beers.
  19. impossible choices
    How do we weigh the
    science and economics
    when we failed them both?
  20. jetting off to paris
    Ah, to spend the week
    with haute cuisine and sublime
    music, living well.
  21. interactive artscapes
    When the artist and
    audience connect over
    social media.
  22. the swear jar
    Clean up language through
    fiscal remuneration
    by violation.
  23. the beauties of space
    An uncle and his
    nephew bond over the worlds
    they might see someday.
  24. a problem for future me
    Let’s go the cheap route
    and have the consequences
    play out however.
  25. do we do it for the gratitude?
    Is it so much to
    ask for a “thank you” or does
    that corrupt motives?
  26. world war 3
    A nuclear power
    invades a sovereign land.
    It’s almost midnight.
  27. mind games
    Conservatorships
    can safeguard the mentally
    ill or make things worse.
  28. guess the copay
    This doctor’s visit
    will cost me 40 bucks or
    200 dollars.
  29. the laziest of friends
    They might text, they might
    meet up, they might share some laughs.
    But probably not.
  30. the courage to sing
    Approach the front of
    the stage, take a deep breath and
    let out that first note.
  31. a gentle reminder
    Be brave enough to
    (if stuck in complacency)
    suck at something new.
  32. the revival of book burnings
    Destroy empathy
    by setting aflame those cursed
    books that inflame hearts.
  33. the mid-morning nap
    A brief siesta
    to prep the body for lunch
    and afternoon drudge.
  34. the medical bill nightmare
    To pay thousands for
    drugs again and again or
    face an early grave.
  35. the indoor garden
    The special lamps bring
    sunshine to the wisps of plants
    stretching in comfort.
  36. recreational high
    Out of commission
    for a few hours as the
    brain relaxes all.
  37. the forever loan
    The most expensive
    cap and gown ever ensures
    this cumbersome debt.
  38. so saucy
    Irreverent imps
    seize control of staid placid
    psyches to spread mirth.
  39. in reddit we trust
    Online gossips vote
    up (or down) sordid rumors
    for entertainment.
  40. pet conspiracy theories
    Believe what you will,
    but know that still crazier
    ideas take root.
  41. the nine days of spring break
    Celebrating a
    week of uninterrupted
    fun and/or mischief.
  42. the mating call of the fox
    The back yard echoes
    with passionate cries from some
    wild bushy-tailed freaks.
  43. the pleasures of an incubating season
    Days grow warmer and
    longer as winter goes in-
    to hibernation.
  44. paperworked
    This pile to be filed.
    This pile to be shredded. This
    pile to be eaten.
  45. hiber nation
    A modern stupor
    brought about by always-on
    screens in all venues.
  46. an appropriate dosage
    With Girl Scout cookies,
    one box equals one serving.
    Yes, one measly box.
  47. bulletproof
    Backpack shields and drills
    for days … nothing to disarm
    potential shooters.
  48. summer of soul
    When Harlem lit up
    with a galaxy of stars
    all on one big stage.
  49. the fix
    Just one more. That’ll
    make it all right. Can’t function
    till it’s in my hands.
  50. to the shredder
    Old phone records, scads
    of brochures and legal junk,
    reams of paper dross.
  51. presence and presents
    They’re instructed to
    come empty handed yet they
    bear gifts just the same.
  52. far or fiyah
    Success depends on
    whether “fire” has just one
    or two syllables.
  53. hiking with six eyes
    Their cameras came out
    for engrossing foliage
    and weirdly shaped rocks.
  54. staffing shortages and other delights
    Every time I ask
    for “no mayo,” the sandwich
    arrives with mayo.
  55. not in a joking mood
    Troubled times leads to
    an absence of whimsy while
    the whole world burns down.
  56. back to reading
    The absolute joy
    of holding a book and thumbing
    through its rough pages.
  57. a chapter a day
    Devouring this
    book in nightly sessions while
    boredom falls away.
  58. the re-creative process
    Reading old poems
    and thinking “How did that thing
    come out of my brain?”
  59. eye candy for the neighbors
    What good is having
    the house painted when you can’t
    see it from inside?
  60. scrape scrape scrape scrape
    Washing isn’t all.
    You have to scrape and scratch each
    square inch of old paint.
  61. no one notices
    Not the couple at
    the bar. Not the cyclist in
    the street. Just no one.
  62. the hypnotic scroll
    I can’t turn away
    from the endless options to
    watch, like and subscribe.
  63. return of the cold war
    Powers clash over
    dueling ideologies
    and outdated slights.
  64. threats of a madman
    A huge fortune to
    protect no matter the cost
    to the citizens.
  65. the public in public health
    Endless cycles of
    mandated masks. The lesson
    is to never try.
  66. the pollening
    Yellow dust swirling
    everywhere, sinuses in
    total misery.
  67. instant dissatisfaction
    When you click on “Buy,”
    but the shipping won’t happen
    for 6 to 8 weeks.
  68. how to binge
    Theme song. Episode.
    Closing credits. Repeat. Move
    on to the next show.
  69. my montage
    Clock in. Do my job.
    Clock out. Eat my dinner. Read
    a book. Go to bed.
  70. writing in the sky
    Her hands and arms and
    face telegraphed ancient thoughts
    in potent fashion.
  71. coming out party
    Once dead and newly
    risen, he appears for his
    heavenly reward.
  72. return to office
    Taking the last 2
    years of struggle and success
    and forgetting them.
  73. talking type
    An lol, an
    ikr and a couple
    of hbu’s, too.
  74. confronting a fear
    Saying aloud the
    parts that have me confounded
    and begging for help.
  75. first date at a wine bar
    I haven’t laughed so
    hard in a long time and been
    able to relax.
  76. the grownup party
    All the little ones
    wanted to do was stay up
    late and play some games.
  77. the grownup party part 2
    All the older ones
    wanted to do was converse
    deeply and drink rum.
  78. best buds everywhere
    A forest stroll shows
    off the fragrant flowers just
    coming into bloom.
  79. addicted to illegals
    A cop show for just
    anyone and everyone
    who has eyeballs, pulse.
  80. keys to literary success
    Start slowly to draw
    the reader in, go faster,
    end on a climax!!
  81. get the grill ready
    Dump out the ashes
    and scrape the gunk off the grill.
    Ready for some meats.
  82. even drummers get the love
    When rock stars die, fans
    mourn them all, especially
    those who smashed things hard.
  83. an audience of one or two
    No matter how small
    the following, to give it
    all you’ve got each time.
  84. slipping into the ether
    A heaviness falls
    and thoughts and steps slur in a
    bumble of nonsense.
  85. the sacrifices for barbecue
    Working the pit at
    four in the morning, tending
    those meats carefully.
  86. the 50-year-old dad
    He could still give some
    piggyback rides while saving
    for their college funds.
  87. lazy man’s pancakes
    Forget the milk and
    eggs, just remember to add
    the baking powder.
  88. the promise of work ahead
    Her eyes lit up at
    the prospect of remaining
    busy through the week.
  89. hello and goodbye
    The introvert slips
    in for a quick appearance
    before sneaking out.
  90. keeping tabs
    A browser straining
    under the weight of dozens
    of open websites.
  91. canines come and go
    The bad dog mom keeps
    her nail appointment while her
    mutt’s in surgery.
  92. groaning for juice
    Phones should wail each time
    their batteries run down so
    we know they’re in pain.
  93. laundry for beginners
    Trying to wash clothes
    with differing instructions
    and rules in one load.
  94. the kilimanjaro effect
    Almost to the top,
    freezing like never before,
    gasping in thin air.
  95. gesturing stream of consciousness
    So fluent in sign
    language that he could ramble
    carelessly with hands.
  96. out of the mouths of rubes
    Cancel culture? More
    like consequence culture for
    lousy opinions.
  97. the need for checks in 2022
    To pay only the
    landscaper because Venmo
    charges a small fee.
  98. rank ’em
    Destination spots.
    “Cheers” episodes. Power tools.
    Vanilla ice creams.
  99. the many uses of cereal
    Breakfast, snack, ice cream
    topping, dessert bars, hiding
    spot for toys, fiber.
  100. adventures in conscious states
    A few milligrams
    and the mind is allowed to
    slip the grasp of self.
  101. a bookkeeper’s place
    A running tally
    of numbers numbers numbers
    which must all add up.

• • •

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Wade’s 101: Haiku retrospective 59

Saturday, February 5th, 2022

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  1. happiest of holidays
    A nonstop orgy
    of gifts, eating, dressing up
    and some reflection.
  2. the true cost of higher education
    A little learning
    can contribute to a life
    weighed down with deep debt.
  3. secret windfall
    A surprise bonus
    pumping up the coffers with
    necessary cash.
  4. weeny forecast
    Littlest monsters
    scavenge streets for sugary
    treats and slight mischief.
  5. writers get it, too
    Impostor syndrome
    rears its ugly head before
    I can start typing.
  6. dancing under the stars
    We gathered at the
    old park to drink beers and hear
    the bands play all day.
  7. the darkest highway
    The headlights barely
    pierce the nighttime before our
    car. A light rain falls.
  8. happy birthday, biff
    Alive for 50,
    friends for 40, a long time
    with a good buddy.
  9. before the party starts
    Nervously munching
    on crudité, waiting for
    old friends to arrive.
  10. a few minutes here and there
    I need to spend more
    time writing in the nooks and
    crannies of each day.
  11. modern package tracking
    Wormhole. Cleveland, then
    Narnia. Drone drops ninja
    bot. Wake up with box.
  12. damn kids
    They know everything
    about what’s in and nothing
    about their elders.
  13. the endless race
    Brain and body. Sheer
    exhaustion. Consequences
    of running full speed.
  14. get high, get thai
    Grab some gummies and
    let the week melt away. Feel
    the great weightlessness.
  15. never in short supply
    Could we stop making
    so many war veterans
    and start waging peace?
  16. the sport of scrolling
    Looking for hotties.
    Need inspiration. Killing
    brain cells. Hate-scrolling.
  17. any port in a storm
    Lower your standards,
    and raise your hopes, for cuffing
    season has begun.
  18. the cure for incuriousity
    Explore the depths of
    the people in your life and
    discover wonders.
  19. the quilt
    Investing each piece
    with feeling, meaning, making
    a textile thesis.
  20. the hazards of wordsmithing
    Some days the words flow.
    Others, they must be pried out
    with a screwdriver.
  21. everyone appreciates a good sideshow
    To puncture the staid
    veil of reality, go
    forth and get weirder.
  22. pro dreams in a college town
    Birmingham’s quest for
    pro status: Cinderella
    story or nightmare?
  23. the job interview: the beginner
    Fumble for the right
    words, make the manager see
    you as competent.
  24. a melodious evil
    She hums a motif,
    giving the composer a
    way to score her sins.
  25. if it bleeds, it undermines the fabric of society
    If news outlets aren’t
    trying to scare viewers to
    death, what is the point?
  26. as opposed to shut-ins and boors
    Inspiration comes
    from having a robust life
    and clever instincts.
  27. keeping cool
    The fridge wanted a
    holiday, but I wouldn’t
    budge. Heated exchange.
  28. a country 2021
    He lost his girlfriend
    and his dog this year, sadness
    waiting for lyrics.
  29. the rites of gratitude
    Being grateful makes
    us happier, so give thanks
    every day you can.
  30. every day is black friday
    We shop from our phones
    and check out on our doorsteps.
    It’s retail’s revenge.
  31. ready for any apocalypse
    She weaves her fabrics
    and raises her hens, prepared
    for the fall of man.
  32. midway through dune
    The anxiety
    waits quietly, ready to
    pounce when given space.
  33. hobbyists and practitioners
    Should all creations
    be interrogated as
    Art? Can we stand it?
  34. the plague of drought
    As water dwindles,
    will we go to war over
    remaining droplets?
  35. the extra noel is for spite
    May all my friends go
    to hell. Noel noel no-
    el noel noel.
  36. reflections of van gogh
    Projectors beam his
    works across expansive walls
    while we stroll through them.
  37. a new stadium, gently used
    The vocal few packed
    half the stands, while the rest stayed
    filled with ghostly hopes.
  38. being mortal
    What’s harder: dying,
    or living on in a world
    of indifference?
  39. digital death rituals
    We gather to mourn
    on Facebook, swapping stories
    and pics of the dead.
  40. questions for down the road
    Will I have enough
    money? Or virility?
    Or will to keep on?
  41. ode to a modern dance troupe
    They defy the laws
    of gravity, with grace, with
    physicality.
  42. art pop
    Impressionism
    for Joe Sixpack, smudges of
    paint for the masses.
  43. tidings of great joy
    The best present we
    have to give is ourselves in
    this do-over year.
  44. the end is nigh
    Death is coming. We
    greet it with awe, with sorrow,
    with celebration.
  45. the plan to outlive everyone
    The only flaw is
    having no one left to talk
    with at the day’s end.
  46. mystery dance
    They twirl and tumble
    onstage, and I don’t get the
    movement and meaning.
  47. all downhill from here
    The best verse I have
    ever written is buried
    among published heaps.
  48. afflict the comfortable
    We’d rather sink in
    the morass of ignorance
    than learn painful truths.
  49. a relationship built on uncertainty
    It’s a pattern of
    not trusting our needs and not
    sharing our questions.
  50. the spending continues
    Experiences
    over things, and yet both use
    capitalism.
  51. nations and money, law and society
    The fabric of our
    reality is largely
    based on shared grand myths.
  52. vaccines, critical race theory, nascar
    Cannot avoid it:
    Everything’s political
    though it shouldn’t be.
  53. plague to end all plagues
    Five million dead, it
    will probably hang out for
    a while. Get boosted.
  54. the unpuzzle
    Tricky problem less
    tricky after time away
    and a good night’s sleep.
  55. greet the winter fondly
    Before long, the nights
    will shrink again and harsh cold
    will give way to warmth.
  56. symphony of paper, twine and tape
    Nothing beats the joy
    and contentment of wrapping
    a gift perfectly.
  57. season of loneliness
    Togetherness means
    nothing to those without loved
    ones to draw closer.
  58. the quiet of christmas eve
    When kids finally
    fall asleep and parents swear
    softly building bikes.
  59. how many candles?
    It’s someone’s birthday
    today. And what a joyous
    occasion it is!
  60. resolve to be nicer
    “Be kind” might be the
    only commandment we need
    to get by in life.
  61. the quality of banter
    The quality of
    banter determines the fun
    to be had en masse.
  62. naughty card games
    Their innuendo
    proceeded with every card
    dealt, every brow raised.
  63. she doesn’t do pets
    Not on her couch, and
    definitely not in her
    bed. Cuteness, be gone!
  64. banned words, 2021 edition
    Canceled, woke, extra,
    deplatform and air fryer.
    (Let’s hang on to “vax.”)
  65. eve
    A waltz, a kiss, a
    toast, a vow, a glance, a shared
    look and a new year.
  66. our third pandemic year
    Let us resolve to
    take care of each other, while
    we care for ourselves.
  67. the year of the cell
    Will it be a year
    of true connection or a
    year spent on our phones?
  68. philosophical streaming
    Should life be binged in
    a mad rush or savored bite
    by bite? Gulp, or chew?
  69. wittier by sweat
    Wringing laughs from tame
    writing, punching up punch lines,
    hoping for howling.
  70. hope for 2022
    Freedom from worry,
    from suffering, from violence,
    from things ’21.
  71. a near insurrection
    We almost let them
    steal democracy when they
    stormed the Capitol.
  72. democracy in peril
    Are we content to
    let the traitors spit lies and
    plan another siege?
  73. latest-stage capitalism
    Amazon turned our
    old mall into a giant
    distribution hub.
  74. mall used up
    One by one the stores
    fled, or worse, sank deeper in
    the fetid water.
  75. pennies from hell
    The reliable
    old Walmart, where cheapness is
    the ultimate good.
  76. gastronomic excesses
    Course after course, we
    indulged in fine wines and some
    exquisite dining.
  77. the takeoff of the squadron
    A mighty few came
    to witness the launch of our
    minor league hoops team.
  78. my favorite social media faux pas
    She thought Instagram
    was private and sent pics of
    her butt to all y’all.
  79. a meeting over breakfast
    The best time to fuel
    up and trade secrets with an
    admirable friend.
  80. jonesin’ for dopamine
    Notification.
    Check status. Alert. Quick glance.
    Repeat until dead.
  81. mortal beings
    We’re all beginning
    to wither year by year till
    our ripeness is rot.
  82. a man most reviled
    King found little love
    among white Americans
    as the ’60s raged.
  83. clanton, usa
    Come sit a spell with
    me beneath the oversize
    peach water tower.
  84. post-viewing supplemental reading
    I like to binge and
    then read up, water cooler
    moments on the fly.
  85. finding life’s purpose
    Winding down each day,
    looking for something to do,
    how to fill a void.
  86. the book bandit
    She sped through all kinds
    of fiction, sharing her love
    with literati.
  87. chef nobody
    He wanted to cook
    more, but didn’t care for the
    shopping, prep and wait.
  88. half crazy
    It’s very common:
    Half will be diagnosed with
    a mental illness.
  89. mindscape
    The brain is a black
    box, able to imagine
    and help us sit straight.
  90. scrolling habits
    Silent videos,
    noisy videos, lovely
    houses and train wrecks.
  91. stop, look and listen
    Up and down the same
    streets, past the same houses, still
    seeing something new.
  92. calculus of regret
    Possible joy and
    minor hazards, divided
    by risk and reward.
  93. truth, beauty, etc.
    Why do we create
    art? To show off? To scratch an
    itch? To understand?
  94. a painting, an opera, an nft
    Why do we consume
    art? To gain wisdom? To feed
    the soul? To unwind?
  95. plugged in
    You’re either really
    in the know or the dumbest
    fool in history.
  96. shivering
    Despair of winter
    is facing brutal cold in
    nothing but sweaters.
  97. the camera goes where?
    Colonoscopy
    day: Prep in the wee hours,
    sleep through procedure.
  98. the lens of others
    Divining meaning
    in a vaguely written verse
    while they stare blankly.
  99. the simple joys of a simple diet
    Chicken, spinach, eggs,
    lentils, beans, more chicken and
    eggs, veggies, dinner.
  100. mantras wanted
    Boil my complete
    philosophy down to a
    bumper sticker please.
  101. january’s ultimate joy
    Dining room table
    surrounded by dear friends on
    a cold winter’s night.

• • •

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Happy 2022!

Saturday, January 1st, 2022
Vitruvian Man, Medical Forum

Photo: Jerry Taylor

Happy New Year! May 2022 be healthy, healthy and healthy.

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, December 25th, 2021

Video: James Corden brings a stellar lineup to sing
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”

Merry Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 25th, 2021

Video: Ten hours of Thanksgiving ambience

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! Enjoy this lonnnnng screensaver of holiday cheer, minus any family bickering.

Happy Veterans Day!

Thursday, November 11th, 2021

Video: Livestream of the 2021 National Veterans Day parade

And we’re back!

The 2021 National Veterans Day parade returns to downtown after a COVID break in the Year That Shall Not Be Named.

It starts at 1:30 today, with livestreaming above. Big shout out to the men and women who serve or served in the armed forces!

Map: National Veterans Day parade route

Wade’s 101: Haiku retrospective 58

Wednesday, October 27th, 2021

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  1. the sweetest shoppe
    Cookies and cakes and
    assorted confections, all
    sugar to savor.
  2. george floyd
    Minneapolis
    man seeking redemption and
    work while getting straight.
  3. ahmaud arbery
    Georgia runner who
    loved his mama’s fudge cake and
    did great impressions.
  4. more on breonna taylor
    Louisville ER
    tech who scribbled goals on Post-
    it notes in her home.
  5. the embiggening of milkshakes
    Stick ’em in a jar
    and top with cupcakes, pretzels
    and firecrackers.
  6. in the grips of depression
    Each morning I sink
    back into the ooze, drowning
    slowly on dry land.
  7. making time for everything and nothing
    The energy to
    do 500 things, the time
    to do maybe four.
  8. the coming race war
    Keep pushing people
    of color to the brink. Fuck
    around and find out.
  9. the longest book
    The longest book is
    the one sitting patiently,
    ready to be read.
  10. no one deserves her smile
    She graces me with
    a knowing grin, dazzling my
    eyes, melting my heart.
  11. hurricane country
    Much like where you live,
    with a few more occasions
    to flee for your lives.
  12. ongoing obsolescence
    The way we do things
    today won’t be around for
    very much longer.
  13. a last summer hurrah
    Before they send us
    back to confined spaces, full
    of vaccines, ennui.
  14. postcard to a friend
    I’m at the beach, but
    dreaming about us having
    dinner together.
  15. the canine twins
    No scrap goes untouched,
    no ball goes unthrown in a
    two-dog family.
  16. sunshine on hidden depths
    Growing my hair in
    back and chewing on Skoal. I
    am Florida man.
  17. sandy siren
    The beach stretches out
    forever and calls you back
    (without the big crowds).
  18. postcard poetry
    Back in Florida
    enjoying the sand, seafood
    and grand sunrises.
  19. the corpse in the driveway
    It used to be a
    bird, or maybe a squirrel. And
    now covered in flies.
  20. for a few commas more
    I, do, not, like, the,
    insistence, on, the, use, of,
    the, Oxford, comma.
  21. his one trick
    Waiting for it. More
    anticipation. Snatching
    the treat from mid-air.
  22. infinite grief in a finite period
    When do we mourn a
    pandemic, all the lost lives?
    And when do we stop?
  23. a restorative place
    I find my seat and
    begin the warmup to a
    session of breathing.
  24. word search
    He dutifully
    crossed out excess words on the
    sheet with a red pen.
  25. back to school 2021
    Classmates free of masks
    and full of shots once again
    crowd their old classrooms.
  26. moth mayhem
    Their swarms visit each
    room, awaiting their turns to
    redo my wardrobe.
  27. the future is streaming
    Buzzy series, live
    sports, cooking demos, doorbell
    pirates, Old Sheldon.
  28. head games
    Star athletes compete
    for glory, but we fail to
    see the mental toll.
  29. a race against variants
    Will the unvaxxed kill
    us all? Will the strain between
    tribes undo it all?
  30. the pandemic in fall, second round
    Return to normal,
    or a march into a great
    unknown risk for all.
  31. those disposable pandemic pets
    No longer puppies
    and kittens, they returned to
    shelters unneeded.
  32. black lives still matter
    How quickly our white
    allies went back to business
    long before justice.
  33. bad reams
    Most dreams die from the
    amount of paperwork that
    it takes to launch them.
  34. casual racism
    It slips into our
    conversation so quickly
    I fail to push back.
  35. resistance isn’t futile
    Maybe the reason
    we’re so memorable is
    because we fight back.
  36. the dog walker’s mantra
    Who’s happy to see
    me? Who’s a good boy? Oh yes,
    it’s you! You you you!!
  37. beacons of positivity
    The people in our
    lives who radiate joy stand
    out for their brilliance.
  38. art for art’s sake
    Do something, and do
    it badly. Don’t make money
    from it. Just enjoy.
  39. losing a best friend
    One weird fight, and years
    of camaraderie slip
    away in the wind.
  40. a fiftieth wish
    I hope you’re safe, I
    hope you’re well, but most of all,
    I hope you’re happy.
  41. looks like we mated
    You have something on
    your face. No, not there. Lower.
    That conniving smile.
  42. the harvest, summer edition
    Cucumber, cucum-
    ber, cucumber, cucumber,
    cucumber and dill.
  43. jetset jaunt
    Fly across the world
    for fine dining, then fly back
    home with full bellies.
  44. hope for everyone and no one
    A drunk drying out
    while protecting his claim to
    the girls he neglects.
  45. after a rainy walk
    He proudly trots from
    the door on the kitchen floor,
    muddy paws and all.
  46. this dog misses his mama and daddy
    He whimpers, wonders
    where his family has gone
    while gnawing on bones.
  47. anxiety on the line
    Keeping a firm grip
    on the leash, never knowing
    which way he might run.
  48. sprint and spritz
    Neither darkness nor
    rain kept him from his rounds of
    marking territory.
  49. a rare promotion
    They lifted her up
    after so many years in
    the trenches toiling.
  50. the cost of doing business
    For labor, a chance
    to reassess their worth. For
    management, the same.
  51. the 27-course meal
    An abundance of
    forks, plates, servers and wines cross
    our table nonstop.
  52. flowers as lovely as her
    I bring you roses
    with the hope they bloom like our
    new relationship.
  53. backyard agenda
    We float along in
    the quiet pool, staring up
    at the lazy clouds.
  54. downtown saturday morning
    The cyclists search for
    a brunch spot, while the homeless
    man keeps to his bench.
  55. the lessons of 9/11
    Twenty years of wars.
    Do we terrorize others
    more than they do us?
  56. kitchen harmony
    Me on the skillet,
    her on the cutting board, a
    dinner taking shape.
  57. a pound of regret
    Hospitals stretched to
    their limits. But we can’t be
    bothered to wear masks.
  58. the inevitable nth wave
    It was predicta-
    ble. It was preventable.
    It is laughable.
  59. uncomfortably numb
    Becoming inured
    to death is like being dead
    inside already.
  60. escape rooms themes
    A flooded basement.
    Human trafficking boxcar.
    Brunch with the in-laws.
  61. best wishes and gritted teeth
    We’re so happy for
    your continued success and
    its many blessings.
  62. new job, still remote
    He sat in the same
    living room, flipped on the same
    laptop, but earned more.
  63. the freedom of fiction
    Writing about life’s
    many strange things whether they’re
    about you or not.
  64. death of a waffle house
    Smothered, padlocked and
    kneecapped. The mourners brought their
    flasks. One guy threw up.
  65. her mighty garden
    Raised beds filled with all
    kinds of vegetables, some tall
    and some buried deep.
  66. autumnal pause
    A breather between
    the sweltering summer and
    a gloomy winter.
  67. the fixer-upper
    They spent weekends on
    painting and sanding and trips
    to the big box store.
  68. broadway bind
    Hours and days spent
    in rehearsal, for minutes
    in the lone spotlight.
  69. some pig
    Tallulah wants time
    in the sun and a small mud
    patch to call her own.
  70. man vs. city hall
    They levy the tax.
    I fight back. They hold fast. I
    keep fighting. They win.
  71. fall getaways 2021
    A last jaunt to the
    beach, maybe a cabin, but
    not the ICU.
  72. throwing away their vote
    Why are we afraid
    to make voting easier
    for Americans?
  73. phrased in the form of a questionable haiku
    Who knew hiring
    a game show host would be so
    politically fraught?
  74. search engine doctorates
    Everyone you know
    is an expert in any-
    thing and everything.
  75. our relationship with tv
    We’re pickier and
    more voracious, enchanted
    and obligated.
  76. halloween or dystopic nightmare?
    I’m going to be
    the prettiest handmaiden
    in all Gilead.
  77. relationship detente
    When both sides reach an
    understanding that no more
    growth is possible.
  78. the ted lasso dilemma
    Can we meet harshness
    with kindness, outright cruelty
    with some empathy?
  79. feels like fall
    A simple drop in
    temperature warms my heart and
    brings out my cool side.
  80. in a few syllables
    I can reinvent
    my unremarkable self
    into something grand.
  81. anxiety is the thief
    Anxiety is
    the thief that robs us of our
    sense of well-being.
  82. the lump in the window
    The furry lump does
    not stir, does not see me (or
    maybe does), snoozing.
  83. the laziest pickpockets
    They reach unseen in
    wallets and purses to shop
    for pizza and gas.
  84. delta variant by five
    Stadiums full of
    fans packed tightly to enjoy
    their football fever.
  85. legacies of columbus
    Globalization
    and all the wonders and hor-
    rors that come with it.
  86. the legend of the haunted hardee’s
    Ghosts roam the booths, all
    dead from hunger and lack of
    attentive service.
  87. the probable son
    Doesn’t care for his
    parents, nor for the fractured
    legacy to boot.
  88. prick or treat
    Vaccines as either
    bold trick to ensnare victims
    or free pass to fun.
  89. the real ongoing pandemic
    Why aren’t we making
    a bigger deal out of the
    risks of climate change?
  90. eternally maternally
    Mama bear cares for
    her cubs so very dearly.
    Watch out for those claws!
  91. ascendiary
    Each day can be a
    mountain. We may not peak, but
    we can still climb some.
  92. clickety click clack
    Abandoned office
    registers the lone sound of
    gently tapped keyboards.
  93. stats for life
    BP, temperature,
    cholesterol (good and bad),
    weight, pulse and pain scale.
  94. costume dilemma
    Silly or sexy,
    pop culture or historic,
    homemade or store bought.
  95. busy busy busy
    Burning the candle
    at both ends, in the middle
    and from deep inside.
  96. what lurks beneath, above and all around us
    Death and horror got
    nothin’ on Halloween this
    year. Scary shmary.
  97. can society?
    Can democracy
    survive without committing
    to the public good?
  98. fight or flights of fancy
    The dialogue on
    mental health gets louder with
    each passing daydream.
  99. the fear and now
    Between depression
    and anxiety, I’ve got
    past and future locked.
  100. and not feel so alone
    We talk openly
    about our mental struggles
    so others may learn.
  101. true confessions
    I admit weakness.
    Is vulnerability
    a strength? I hope so.

• • •

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Happy Labor Day!

Monday, September 6th, 2021

Video: Let’s celebrate the holiday with Teen Titans Go!

Happy Labor Day! Be safe, get the vaccine, mask up and stay socially distanced for everyone’s sake.

Vote 2021: Birmingham municipal election results

Tuesday, August 24th, 2021

Vote 2021The polls are closed, and the totals will soon be in. Results from today’s races in Birmingham …

Updates throughout the evening …

Voter turnout was 25 percent, compared to 27 percent in 2017, 21 percent in 2013, 15 percent in 2011*, 26 percent in 2009* and 45 percent in 2007.

*Special mayoral elections.

  • I = incumbent
  • Winner in red | runoff opponents in green

Runoffs take place Oct. 5.

• • •

More Vote 2021 coverage.

Vote 2021: Mask up and go vote

Tuesday, August 24th, 2021

opportunity zone groundbreaking

Birmingham’s Election Day is here, with polls open till 7. At stake, mayor, city council and board of education.

Vote 2021Q: Where do I vote?

A: Call the city clerk’s office at (205) 254-2290.

Or Search Your Polling Place on AlabamaVotes.gov. This PDF list has the all the polling locations.

Note: District boundaries changed in 2011; check for your correct district on this PDF map.

Wade on Birmingham:
election results tonight

Remember, if you have problems at your polling place:

Q: What can I expect to see on the ballots?

A: Check out this sample ballot along with the list of all candidates.

Q: Have the mayoral candidates debated?

A: Three times. Watch them here.

You’re voting for Birmingham mayor, and for your district, a city council representative and a board of education member.

If needed, runoffs take place Oct. 5.

Are you voting today? Tell us in the comments.

• • •

More Vote 2021 coverage.

Vote 2021: And the Birmingham candidates are …

Monday, August 23rd, 2021

Before heading to the polls on Tuesday, take some time to study the Birmingham ballot. We’re voting on mayor, city council and board of education (Mobile has its general election, too).

Vote 2021Who’s in the running?

The candidates:

Mayor:

  • William Bell
  • Cerissa Brown
  • Napoleon Gonzalez
  • Philemon Hill
  • Lashunda Scales
  • Darryl T. Williams
  • Randall Woodfin (I)
  • Chris Woods

For city council (by district):

  • 2: Lawrence Conaway, Kimberly Jeanty, Don D. Scott, Hunter Williams (I)
  • 3: Valerie Abbott (I), Joseph Casper Baker III, Wil Jones, Alice Speake
  • 4: Scottie McClaney, J.T. Moore, William Parker (I), Qunelius “Cory” Pettway, Gwendolyn Cook Webb
  • 5: Richard Franklin, Darrell O’Quinn (I), Hiram Rahim, Erica Star Robbins, Roshanique Yvette Taylor
  • 6: Keith Aaron, Crystal Smitherman (I), Keith O. Williams
  • 7: Wardine Towers Alexander (I), La’Toya Lee, Lonnie Franklin Malone, Don “Donnie” Stone
  • 8: Carol Clarke, Barbara Files-Kennedy, Lynette Peters, Celida “Celi” Soto, Adlai Trone, Harry “Traveling Shoes” Turner, D. Denise Webber-Jenkins, Wanda Wright
  • 9: Eric Hall, John Hilliard (I), David Russell, LaTonya Tate

For board of education (by district):

  • 1: Sherman Collins Jr., Douglas Lee Ragland (I), Jerry Tate
  • 2: Terri Michal (I), Neonta Williams
  • 3: Mary Boehm (I), Byron “Anti-Charter School” Lagrone
  • 4: Derek Billups, Daagye Hendricks (I)
  • 5: James Sullivan, David McKinney
  • 6: Jamaree Collins, Leticia Watkins, Yancey Williams
  • 8: Antoinette “Toni” King, Curtis Tyrone Robinson, Sonja Smith (I), Antwon Womack
  • 9: Le’Darius Hilliard, Jason Meadows, Susan Diane Mitchell

I = incumbent

The Birmingham municipal election takes place Tuesday. Runoffs take place Oct. 5.

Sample ballot for 2021 Birmingham municipal election
(download PDF ballot)

Also:

• • •

More Vote 2021 coverage.