Saturday, February 5, 2022 by Wade Kwon
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happiest of holidays
A nonstop orgy
of gifts, eating, dressing up
and some reflection.
the true cost of higher education
A little learning
can contribute to a life
weighed down with deep debt.
secret windfall
A surprise bonus
pumping up the coffers with
necessary cash.
weeny forecast
Littlest monsters
scavenge streets for sugary
treats and slight mischief.
writers get it, too
Impostor syndrome
rears its ugly head before
I can start typing.
dancing under the stars
We gathered at the
old park to drink beers and hear
the bands play all day.
the darkest highway
The headlights barely
pierce the nighttime before our
car. A light rain falls.
happy birthday, biff
Alive for 50,
friends for 40, a long time
with a good buddy.
before the party starts
Nervously munching
on crudité, waiting for
old friends to arrive.
a few minutes here and there
I need to spend more
time writing in the nooks and
crannies of each day.
modern package tracking
Wormhole. Cleveland, then
Narnia. Drone drops ninja
bot. Wake up with box.
damn kids
They know everything
about what’s in and nothing
about their elders.
the endless race
Brain and body. Sheer
exhaustion. Consequences
of running full speed.
get high, get thai
Grab some gummies and
let the week melt away. Feel
the great weightlessness.
never in short supply
Could we stop making
so many war veterans
and start waging peace?
the sport of scrolling
Looking for hotties.
Need inspiration. Killing
brain cells. Hate-scrolling.
any port in a storm
Lower your standards,
and raise your hopes, for cuffing
season has begun.
the cure for incuriousity
Explore the depths of
the people in your life and
discover wonders.
the quilt
Investing each piece
with feeling, meaning, making
a textile thesis.
the hazards of wordsmithing
Some days the words flow.
Others, they must be pried out
with a screwdriver.
everyone appreciates a good sideshow
To puncture the staid
veil of reality, go
forth and get weirder.
pro dreams in a college town
Birmingham’s quest for
pro status: Cinderella
story or nightmare?
the job interview: the beginner
Fumble for the right
words, make the manager see
you as competent.
a melodious evil
She hums a motif,
giving the composer a
way to score her sins.
if it bleeds, it undermines the fabric of society
If news outlets aren’t
trying to scare viewers to
death, what is the point?
as opposed to shut-ins and boors
Inspiration comes
from having a robust life
and clever instincts.
keeping cool
The fridge wanted a
holiday, but I wouldn’t
budge. Heated exchange.
a country 2021
He lost his girlfriend
and his dog this year, sadness
waiting for lyrics.
the rites of gratitude
Being grateful makes
us happier, so give thanks
every day you can.
every day is black friday
We shop from our phones
and check out on our doorsteps.
It’s retail’s revenge.
ready for any apocalypse
She weaves her fabrics
and raises her hens, prepared
for the fall of man.
midway through dune
The anxiety
waits quietly, ready to
pounce when given space.
hobbyists and practitioners
Should all creations
be interrogated as
Art? Can we stand it?
the plague of drought
As water dwindles,
will we go to war over
remaining droplets?
the extra noel is for spite
May all my friends go
to hell. Noel noel no-
el noel noel.
reflections of van gogh
Projectors beam his
works across expansive walls
while we stroll through them.
a new stadium, gently used
The vocal few packed
half the stands, while the rest stayed
filled with ghostly hopes.
being mortal
What’s harder: dying,
or living on in a world
of indifference?
digital death rituals
We gather to mourn
on Facebook, swapping stories
and pics of the dead.
questions for down the road
Will I have enough
money? Or virility?
Or will to keep on?
ode to a modern dance troupe
They defy the laws
of gravity, with grace, with
physicality.
art pop
Impressionism
for Joe Sixpack, smudges of
paint for the masses.
tidings of great joy
The best present we
have to give is ourselves in
this do-over year.
the end is nigh
Death is coming. We
greet it with awe, with sorrow,
with celebration.
the plan to outlive everyone
The only flaw is
having no one left to talk
with at the day’s end.
mystery dance
They twirl and tumble
onstage, and I don’t get the
movement and meaning.
all downhill from here
The best verse I have
ever written is buried
among published heaps.
afflict the comfortable
We’d rather sink in
the morass of ignorance
than learn painful truths.
a relationship built on uncertainty
It’s a pattern of
not trusting our needs and not
sharing our questions.
the spending continues
Experiences
over things, and yet both use
capitalism.
nations and money, law and society
The fabric of our
reality is largely
based on shared grand myths.
vaccines, critical race theory, nascar
Cannot avoid it:
Everything’s political
though it shouldn’t be.
plague to end all plagues
Five million dead, it
will probably hang out for
a while. Get boosted.
the unpuzzle
Tricky problem less
tricky after time away
and a good night’s sleep.
greet the winter fondly
Before long, the nights
will shrink again and harsh cold
will give way to warmth.
symphony of paper, twine and tape
Nothing beats the joy
and contentment of wrapping
a gift perfectly.
season of loneliness
Togetherness means
nothing to those without loved
ones to draw closer.
the quiet of christmas eve
When kids finally
fall asleep and parents swear
softly building bikes.
how many candles?
It’s someone’s birthday
today. And what a joyous
occasion it is!
resolve to be nicer
“Be kind” might be the
only commandment we need
to get by in life.
the quality of banter
The quality of
banter determines the fun
to be had en masse.
naughty card games
Their innuendo
proceeded with every card
dealt, every brow raised.
she doesn’t do pets
Not on her couch, and
definitely not in her
bed. Cuteness, be gone!
banned words, 2021 edition
Canceled, woke, extra,
deplatform and air fryer.
(Let’s hang on to “vax.”)
eve
A waltz, a kiss, a
toast, a vow, a glance, a shared
look and a new year.
our third pandemic year
Let us resolve to
take care of each other, while
we care for ourselves.
the year of the cell
Will it be a year
of true connection or a
year spent on our phones?
philosophical streaming
Should life be binged in
a mad rush or savored bite
by bite? Gulp, or chew?
wittier by sweat
Wringing laughs from tame
writing, punching up punch lines,
hoping for howling.
hope for 2022
Freedom from worry,
from suffering, from violence,
from things ’21.
a near insurrection
We almost let them
steal democracy when they
stormed the Capitol.
democracy in peril
Are we content to
let the traitors spit lies and
plan another siege?
latest-stage capitalism
Amazon turned our
old mall into a giant
distribution hub.
mall used up
One by one the stores
fled, or worse, sank deeper in
the fetid water.
pennies from hell
The reliable
old Walmart, where cheapness is
the ultimate good.
gastronomic excesses
Course after course, we
indulged in fine wines and some
exquisite dining.
the takeoff of the squadron
A mighty few came
to witness the launch of our
minor league hoops team.
my favorite social media faux pas
She thought Instagram
was private and sent pics of
her butt to all y’all.
a meeting over breakfast
The best time to fuel
up and trade secrets with an
admirable friend.
jonesin’ for dopamine
Notification.
Check status. Alert. Quick glance.
Repeat until dead.
mortal beings
We’re all beginning
to wither year by year till
our ripeness is rot.
a man most reviled
King found little love
among white Americans
as the ’60s raged.
clanton, usa
Come sit a spell with
me beneath the oversize
peach water tower.
post-viewing supplemental reading
I like to binge and
then read up, water cooler
moments on the fly.
finding life’s purpose
Winding down each day,
looking for something to do,
how to fill a void.
the book bandit
She sped through all kinds
of fiction, sharing her love
with literati.
chef nobody
He wanted to cook
more, but didn’t care for the
shopping, prep and wait.
half crazy
It’s very common:
Half will be diagnosed with
a mental illness.
mindscape
The brain is a black
box, able to imagine
and help us sit straight.
scrolling habits
Silent videos,
noisy videos, lovely
houses and train wrecks.
stop, look and listen
Up and down the same
streets, past the same houses, still
seeing something new.
calculus of regret
Possible joy and
minor hazards, divided
by risk and reward.
truth, beauty, etc.
Why do we create
art? To show off? To scratch an
itch? To understand?
a painting, an opera, an nft
Why do we consume
art? To gain wisdom? To feed
the soul? To unwind?
plugged in
You’re either really
in the know or the dumbest
fool in history.
shivering
Despair of winter
is facing brutal cold in
nothing but sweaters.
the camera goes where?
Colonoscopy
day: Prep in the wee hours,
sleep through procedure.
the lens of others
Divining meaning
in a vaguely written verse
while they stare blankly.
the simple joys of a simple diet
Chicken, spinach, eggs,
lentils, beans, more chicken and
eggs, veggies, dinner.
mantras wanted
Boil my complete
philosophy down to a
bumper sticker please.
january’s ultimate joy
Dining room table
surrounded by dear friends on
a cold winter’s night.
• • •
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Saturday, January 1, 2022 by Wade Kwon
Photo: Jerry Taylor
Happy New Year! May 2022 be healthy, healthy and healthy.
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Saturday, December 25, 2021 by Wade Kwon
VIDEO
Video: James Corden brings a stellar lineup to sing
“Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”
Merry Christmas!
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Thursday, November 25, 2021 by Wade Kwon
VIDEO
Video: Ten hours of Thanksgiving ambience
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! Enjoy this lonnnnng screensaver of holiday cheer, minus any family bickering.
Posted in Grab Bag | Permalink | Add a Yip »
Thursday, November 11, 2021 by Wade Kwon
VIDEO
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
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Wednesday, October 27, 2021 by Wade Kwon
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the sweetest shoppe
Cookies and cakes and
assorted confections, all
sugar to savor.
george floyd
Minneapolis
man seeking redemption and
work while getting straight.
ahmaud arbery
Georgia runner who
loved his mama’s fudge cake and
did great impressions.
more on breonna taylor
Louisville ER
tech who scribbled goals on Post-
it notes in her home.
the embiggening of milkshakes
Stick ’em in a jar
and top with cupcakes, pretzels
and firecrackers.
in the grips of depression
Each morning I sink
back into the ooze, drowning
slowly on dry land.
making time for everything and nothing
The energy to
do 500 things, the time
to do maybe four.
the coming race war
Keep pushing people
of color to the brink. Fuck
around and find out.
the longest book
The longest book is
the one sitting patiently,
ready to be read.
no one deserves her smile
She graces me with
a knowing grin, dazzling my
eyes, melting my heart.
hurricane country
Much like where you live,
with a few more occasions
to flee for your lives.
ongoing obsolescence
The way we do things
today won’t be around for
very much longer.
a last summer hurrah
Before they send us
back to confined spaces, full
of vaccines, ennui.
postcard to a friend
I’m at the beach, but
dreaming about us having
dinner together.
the canine twins
No scrap goes untouched,
no ball goes unthrown in a
two-dog family.
sunshine on hidden depths
Growing my hair in
back and chewing on Skoal. I
am Florida man.
sandy siren
The beach stretches out
forever and calls you back
(without the big crowds).
postcard poetry
Back in Florida
enjoying the sand, seafood
and grand sunrises.
the corpse in the driveway
It used to be a
bird, or maybe a squirrel. And
now covered in flies.
for a few commas more
I, do, not, like, the,
insistence, on, the, use, of,
the, Oxford, comma.
his one trick
Waiting for it. More
anticipation. Snatching
the treat from mid-air.
infinite grief in a finite period
When do we mourn a
pandemic, all the lost lives?
And when do we stop?
a restorative place
I find my seat and
begin the warmup to a
session of breathing.
word search
He dutifully
crossed out excess words on the
sheet with a red pen.
back to school 2021
Classmates free of masks
and full of shots once again
crowd their old classrooms.
moth mayhem
Their swarms visit each
room, awaiting their turns to
redo my wardrobe.
the future is streaming
Buzzy series, live
sports, cooking demos, doorbell
pirates, Old Sheldon.
head games
Star athletes compete
for glory, but we fail to
see the mental toll.
a race against variants
Will the unvaxxed kill
us all? Will the strain between
tribes undo it all?
the pandemic in fall, second round
Return to normal,
or a march into a great
unknown risk for all.
those disposable pandemic pets
No longer puppies
and kittens, they returned to
shelters unneeded.
black lives still matter
How quickly our white
allies went back to business
long before justice.
bad reams
Most dreams die from the
amount of paperwork that
it takes to launch them.
casual racism
It slips into our
conversation so quickly
I fail to push back.
resistance isn’t futile
Maybe the reason
we’re so memorable is
because we fight back.
the dog walker’s mantra
Who’s happy to see
me? Who’s a good boy? Oh yes,
it’s you! You you you!!
beacons of positivity
The people in our
lives who radiate joy stand
out for their brilliance.
art for art’s sake
Do something, and do
it badly. Don’t make money
from it. Just enjoy.
losing a best friend
One weird fight, and years
of camaraderie slip
away in the wind.
a fiftieth wish
I hope you’re safe, I
hope you’re well, but most of all,
I hope you’re happy.
looks like we mated
You have something on
your face. No, not there. Lower.
That conniving smile.
the harvest, summer edition
Cucumber, cucum-
ber, cucumber, cucumber,
cucumber and dill.
jetset jaunt
Fly across the world
for fine dining, then fly back
home with full bellies.
hope for everyone and no one
A drunk drying out
while protecting his claim to
the girls he neglects.
after a rainy walk
He proudly trots from
the door on the kitchen floor,
muddy paws and all.
this dog misses his mama and daddy
He whimpers, wonders
where his family has gone
while gnawing on bones.
anxiety on the line
Keeping a firm grip
on the leash, never knowing
which way he might run.
sprint and spritz
Neither darkness nor
rain kept him from his rounds of
marking territory.
a rare promotion
They lifted her up
after so many years in
the trenches toiling.
the cost of doing business
For labor, a chance
to reassess their worth. For
management, the same.
the 27-course meal
An abundance of
forks, plates, servers and wines cross
our table nonstop.
flowers as lovely as her
I bring you roses
with the hope they bloom like our
new relationship.
backyard agenda
We float along in
the quiet pool, staring up
at the lazy clouds.
downtown saturday morning
The cyclists search for
a brunch spot, while the homeless
man keeps to his bench.
the lessons of 9/11
Twenty years of wars.
Do we terrorize others
more than they do us?
kitchen harmony
Me on the skillet,
her on the cutting board, a
dinner taking shape.
a pound of regret
Hospitals stretched to
their limits. But we can’t be
bothered to wear masks.
the inevitable nth wave
It was predicta-
ble. It was preventable.
It is laughable.
uncomfortably numb
Becoming inured
to death is like being dead
inside already.
escape rooms themes
A flooded basement.
Human trafficking boxcar.
Brunch with the in-laws.
best wishes and gritted teeth
We’re so happy for
your continued success and
its many blessings.
new job, still remote
He sat in the same
living room, flipped on the same
laptop, but earned more.
the freedom of fiction
Writing about life’s
many strange things whether they’re
about you or not.
death of a waffle house
Smothered, padlocked and
kneecapped. The mourners brought their
flasks. One guy threw up.
her mighty garden
Raised beds filled with all
kinds of vegetables, some tall
and some buried deep.
autumnal pause
A breather between
the sweltering summer and
a gloomy winter.
the fixer-upper
They spent weekends on
painting and sanding and trips
to the big box store.
broadway bind
Hours and days spent
in rehearsal, for minutes
in the lone spotlight.
some pig
Tallulah wants time
in the sun and a small mud
patch to call her own.
man vs. city hall
They levy the tax.
I fight back. They hold fast. I
keep fighting. They win.
fall getaways 2021
A last jaunt to the
beach, maybe a cabin, but
not the ICU.
throwing away their vote
Why are we afraid
to make voting easier
for Americans?
phrased in the form of a questionable haiku
Who knew hiring
a game show host would be so
politically fraught?
search engine doctorates
Everyone you know
is an expert in any-
thing and everything.
our relationship with tv
We’re pickier and
more voracious, enchanted
and obligated.
halloween or dystopic nightmare?
I’m going to be
the prettiest handmaiden
in all Gilead.
relationship detente
When both sides reach an
understanding that no more
growth is possible.
the ted lasso dilemma
Can we meet harshness
with kindness, outright cruelty
with some empathy?
feels like fall
A simple drop in
temperature warms my heart and
brings out my cool side.
in a few syllables
I can reinvent
my unremarkable self
into something grand.
anxiety is the thief
Anxiety is
the thief that robs us of our
sense of well-being.
the lump in the window
The furry lump does
not stir, does not see me (or
maybe does), snoozing.
the laziest pickpockets
They reach unseen in
wallets and purses to shop
for pizza and gas.
delta variant by five
Stadiums full of
fans packed tightly to enjoy
their football fever.
legacies of columbus
Globalization
and all the wonders and hor-
rors that come with it.
the legend of the haunted hardee’s
Ghosts roam the booths, all
dead from hunger and lack of
attentive service.
the probable son
Doesn’t care for his
parents, nor for the fractured
legacy to boot.
prick or treat
Vaccines as either
bold trick to ensnare victims
or free pass to fun.
the real ongoing pandemic
Why aren’t we making
a bigger deal out of the
risks of climate change?
eternally maternally
Mama bear cares for
her cubs so very dearly.
Watch out for those claws!
ascendiary
Each day can be a
mountain. We may not peak, but
we can still climb some.
clickety click clack
Abandoned office
registers the lone sound of
gently tapped keyboards.
stats for life
BP, temperature,
cholesterol (good and bad),
weight, pulse and pain scale.
costume dilemma
Silly or sexy,
pop culture or historic,
homemade or store bought.
busy busy busy
Burning the candle
at both ends, in the middle
and from deep inside.
what lurks beneath, above and all around us
Death and horror got
nothin’ on Halloween this
year. Scary shmary.
can society?
Can democracy
survive without committing
to the public good?
fight or flights of fancy
The dialogue on
mental health gets louder with
each passing daydream.
the fear and now
Between depression
and anxiety, I’ve got
past and future locked.
and not feel so alone
We talk openly
about our mental struggles
so others may learn.
true confessions
I admit weakness.
Is vulnerability
a strength? I hope so.
• • •
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Read more poetry at Wade’s Daily Haiku .
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Monday, September 6, 2021 by Wade Kwon
VIDEO
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.
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Tuesday, August 24, 2021 by Wade Kwon
The 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.
Posted in B'ham | Permalink | 1 Yip »
Tuesday, August 24, 2021 by Wade Kwon
Birmingham’s Election Day is here, with polls open till 7. At stake, mayor, city council and board of education.
Q: 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.
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Monday, August 23, 2021 by Wade Kwon
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).
Who’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 Â coverage.
Posted in B'ham | Permalink | 1 Yip »
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 by Wade Kwon
In 7 days, Alabama voters head to the polls in a wide range of municipal elections. Here in Birmingham, we’ll select a mayor and all nine city council members.
What better way to understand the mayoral candidates and their plans than through barely rehearsed sound bites in the guise of a debate or three? Meet those vying for your vote in the videos below.
•
WBRC-6’s debate from Thursday features former mayor William Bell, Cerissa Brown, Philemon Hill, Jefferson County Commissioner Lashunda Scales, Darryl Williams, incumbent Randall Woodfin and Chris Woods.
•
VIDEO
WVTM-13’s debate from Friday has Bell, Scales, Woodfin and Woods.
•
VIDEO
The al.com et al debate tonight features Bell, Brown, Napoleon Gonzales, Hill, Scales, Williams and Woodfin.
• • •
More Vote 2021 Â coverage.
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Sunday, July 18, 2021 by Wade Kwon
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a society of things that need food, shelter
Minimum wages,
living wages are the cost
of using humans.
the plight of the omnivorous
The fun thing about
thinking about food is the
endless variety.
a zero-growth strategy
Many are content
with stasis, needing only
to cover the churn.
contentedness is its own reward
Happy to remain
still, grateful for what is and
what is still possessed.
the descent of spring
Warm days with subtle
pollinated breezes
that waft through our toes.
the lavish picnic
Group tees and streamers
galore in the pavilion
at the shady park.
no taste for accounting
On your 1040,
just write “COVID” in giant
letters, pay next year.
the commodification of mindfulness
The utmost holy
oneness with creation … as
an in-app purchase.
age appropriate
Are cartoons for kids?
Is sugary cereal,
or tabletop games?
makes me smile
Half-remembering
a dumb joke, or a mishap
from long, long ago.
drug trials
Try this formula,
feel it fail. Try that prescription,
turn your insides out.
technological leaps
The joy of a new
smartphone is soon outweighed by
figuring it out.
ownership in the digital age
Creative works can
vanish with flip of a switch,
ones into zeros.
planet of the oops
Getting hotter and
hotter, maybe this world is
some other world’s hell.
folders and photos and files and flotsam
A cluttered desktop
is the sign of a cluttered
AI, it muttered.
no one flies kites any more
A scenic hilltop,
gusting winds and a sky full
of aerial hopes.
emerging from the cave
We take baby steps
into a world once consumed
with disease and death.
may the circle be
You are the five you
keep closest. But what happens
when you grow apart?
april 27, 2011
The morning storms spun
up lesser tornadoes to
scar Alabama.
The evening brought a
furious set of twisters.
Hundreds would be killed.
We remember that
day 10 years on, what we lost,
who we miss dearly.
so bad it’s profitable
Throw a bunch of shows
at the wall and see who streams.
A binge of big bucks.
her fiftieth
A peek back, and a
stride forward into a life
of love and kindness.
one small step for mechanical man
Robots use arms and
legs to traverse terrain we’d
rather not visit.
pièce de résistor
Gonna digitize
my soul and sell it as an
NFT. For Art!
post-pandemic fever
Let’s do everything
all at once without masks and
hugging and sneezing.
enjoy your crippled lungs
So many folks do
not want the vaccine. More room
for me on airplanes.
antibodies and auntie betties
We’re long overdue
to welcome our relatives
back into our lives.
peak pfizer
I will never be
stronger than clomping through Five
Below fully vaxxed.
water can’t wash away relaxation
Even in a burst
of torrential rain, the dream
vacation lazed on.
methodical menuing
It took a few tries,
but he finally landed
on the perfect dish.
little doc
The man can play a
mean trumpet. A marriage of
artist and hot brass.
sgt. woodard
He opened our eyes
after being blinded by
white supremacists.
the medium of garbage
They took out the trash
and converted it to some
profitable art.
typecast
INFJ or
ESTP, MBT-
I is DUM.
51 laps
On the track, he took
the punishment of asphalt
for some 13 miles.
might as well netflix and chill
They couldn’t agree
on a movie, time, row or
location. Just snacks.
nonfictitious license
Need a long take on
whaling, or race? I have the
perfect doc for that.
right shape, wrong texture
The computer finds
pies in round shapes with one to
two crusts. (And cakes, too.)
graduated, sort of
Their senior year, one
spent half at home, half in masked
spaces, fizzling out.
3 million and counting
COVID world death toll:
As if we murdered all of
Utah this past year.
original? sin
The smart money’s on
sequels, reboots, revivals,
remakes, do-overs.
a pen like lightning
Deadline? Write faster.
Space to fill? Write faster. New
insights? WRITE FASTER!
rocket ship to uravarice
Is the way to space
paved with profitable ends?
One small step for greed.
a pair of pricks
The first shot feels like
apprehension. The second,
a little like hope.
the movie marathoners
Long past a double
feature, late into the night
and next day, they watched.
breakups and acquisitions
The managers made
moves, hoping for a payoff
soon and mightily.
the tub of the past
The bin held photos
and letters guiding loved ones
to kin, history.
the leaky purse
Out slipped cold hard cash
and plastic cards long worn down
from endless swiping.
words matter
Free speech that causes
blowback. Cancel culture? No,
consequence culture.
nicked with an apostrophe
Sometimes, the perfect
haiku arrives, ‘cept the loss
of a syllable.
the schizoid standoff
He said the voices
had never lied, unlike his
weary family.
pots and panic
Her dating profile
said she could cook it all. Her
dating profile lied.
crimes against nurture
He’s not such a bad
guy, they’d say in defense. That’s
just how he was raised.
white crosses as far as the eye can see
The more veterans
who commit suicide, the
darker this day gets.
the unherbalist
I spray weed killer
over the lawn. I have be-
come what I despise.
tuesday wine and cheese
The hours flew by
as they shared bits and pieces
of their little lives.
retreat or retrench
On top of every-
thing else, the boss said farewell
to the dismayed troops.
safety dance
That weird feeling when
wearing a mask while certain
of no one’s status.
line 3 is just retching noises
Call on line 1, car
warranty threat. Line 2 wants
to buy your house now.
the joys of working on ourselves
We confront our worst
fears, only to find we still
have much work to do.
pictures, but in word form
Reading all about
TV is often more fun
than watching the shows.
the chinese of mississippi
Brought as cheap labor,
they turned to opening shops
for the Black townsfolk.
the world’s oldest smartphone
Calls, some apps, a cracked
screen, slow charging and a lot
of hints to upgrade.
the destiny in your own hands
We do not control
others. We barely have a
grip on our own fate.
littlest buggers
The termites bit through
the foundation and nibbled
away at a dream.
real estate, real ante
They had a tough time
bidding on houses till they
offered their first born.
reefer referendum
As society
inches ever closer to
legal pot, breathe in.
quickee settee
Come on down to the
furniture palace … pick it,
carry it, build it.
the chicken hat
Leave behind something
to have an excuse to come
back and make smooches.
one thumb out
“The movies are like
a machine that generates
empathy.” — Ebert
two hundred years from now
We’ll all be long dead.
No one will remember us.
Take comfort in that.
uncle vanya
When a relative
goes batty holding down the
farm. See, Chekhov’s won.
for the juneteenth time
Freedom Day, where the
freedom came in dribs and drabs
for a hundred years.
hot. girl. summer.
Summer ain’t summer
without the hottest ladies
and their sunny smiles.
sweet, sweet home
A foundation of
love, windows of hope, shelter
for souls, room for peace.
to beat the rubik’s cube
Slide, twist, double back.
See the future in fifty-
four shiny stickers.
endemic to the end of the pandemic
Well, whaddaya know?
The shots worked, and the world is
a little safer.
the cost of moving on
You can’t buy my for-
giveness. I think it just kind
of has to happen.
at my parents’ house
We sat on the same
sofa, in front of the same
bookcase, just agog.
generation gapped
What do you say when
it’s been decades since you last
spoke to each other?
a century on wheels
A formidable
duo, they sailed down highways
searching for freedom.
the curve
She dreaded the spot
on the interstate where all
her nerves knotted up.
critical racist theory
Let’s discuss race, but
only one, and how that one
is superior.
a return to normal
Everyone, feel free
to be giant assholes to
each other again.
not to scale
The digital map
shows the same twisty line with
the same twisty length.
holiday weekend bender
Party. Pass out. Then
party harder. Pass out. Then
really party. Hard.
sunny, sunny florida
It’s been too long, my
palmy, sandy friend. Pour me
a tall Sea Breeze, please.
independence? depends
The land where some are
free, and the home of a few
brave. Long may she live.
the master of the grill
Clean grate, piles of meat.
Get the heat steady, get the
tongs ready. Let’s cook.
unmasked
Tavern full of smiles.
Hearts gladdened by handshakes and
hugs as we gather.
slow ride, but in 17 syllables
They’d call out requests,
and the humble scribe penned such
mediocre verse.
the blinder leading the blind
Sure, I know the way,
I hollered while nervously
checking the compass.
the long road ahead
The car was loaded.
The tank was full. And we were
on our way back home.
the wicked tongue
Don’t ask me. I’ll just
fill your head with such lies and
pleasantries no end.
rap squad
They would turn their pain
into rhymes, their rhymes into
beats, beats into truth.
smallest talk
“I love to hike. Where
do you hike near here?” “Around
the hill or the valley.”
pent-up post-pandemic priorities
Every restaurant
has a 3-hour wait. Ain’t
this what we wanted?
we’re all in this together
Back to flipping off
drivers, blasting staff. Were we
ever civilized?
manufactured outage 2021
Trans kids on sports teams,
Critical Race Theory and
(boo!) vaccine passports.
the secret to managing your to-do giant list
Resetting deadlines
far into the future and
marking that lie “done.”
birmingham-style pizza
A crusty pie with
vinegar-based sauce and an
overrated rep.
president boring
An Oval Office
where the occupant listens
and leads with a plan.
• • •
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Sunday, July 4, 2021 by Wade Kwon
VIDEO
Video: Celebrate independence while fighting
America’s greatest enemy, tea. It’s “Teen Titans Go!”
•
Happy birthday, America!
Enjoy this cartoon as Robin battles … George Washington for control of the Teen Titans.
Posted in Grab Bag | Permalink | Add a Yip »
Friday, June 25, 2021 by Wade Kwon
A look at Birmingham in videos …
VIDEO
Downtown vlogging, capturing video and shooting pics. From Jimmy Rooney.
More videos, after the jump …
Continued »
Posted in B'ham , Culture | Permalink | Add a Yip »
Friday, June 18, 2021 by Wade Kwon
A look at Birmingham in videos …
VIDEO
Required tests for weather radios (our vertical video of the week). From Landon the EAS Guy 2005.
More videos, after the jump …
Continued »
Posted in B'ham , Culture | Permalink | Add a Yip »