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Monday, May 29th, 2023

Video: 2023 National Memorial Day Concert

Happy Memorial Day!

Enjoy music and more from the 2023 National Memorial Day Concert in Washington.

Wade’s 101: Haiku retrospective 63

Thursday, March 16th, 2023

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  1. death of a friendship
    They couldn’t see each
    other as they are now, but
    as who they were then.
  2. stages of braces
    Anticipation,
    soreness, weird accent, soreness,
    swishing out food bits.
  3. it all comes down to a sliver of voters
    Everyone sticks to
    their parties, and a group of
    moderates then chooses.
  4. crucial conversations
    Moving from fight or
    flight to safety for all who
    fill up knowledge pool.
  5. final stages
    He’s going to talk
    with his dad about elder
    care choices to come.
  6. exploring the world of food
    They tried every new
    restaurant, reading menus,
    picking cool dishes.
  7. the return of beavis and butt-head
    Teenage duo wreak
    havoc while cracking jokes at
    music videos.
  8. the little burrito shop
    A family-run
    place where the burritos rule
    and the tacos strut.
  9. where’s the mistletoe?
    A sprig can lead to
    a first kiss can lead to one
    more kiss can lead to …
  10. funny ornaments
    Old school art projects,
    sports mascots, talking cartoons
    and assorted kitsch.
  11. it’s the bought that counts
    Gift cards are perfect
    for control freaks: Spend this much
    at only this place.
  12. tiktok: where issues go to die
    If it’s not happy
    happy, if it spotlights a
    cause, it’s banned all right.
  13. four bags of clothes
    One to donate, one
    to trash. One to sell, one to
    give to a dear friend.
  14. but who will stand for the white man?
    Embracing the right’s
    Christian nationalism
    makes for holy war.
  15. war crimes in ukraine
    Putin brandishes
    his military might by
    killing families.
  16. visions of winter
    Southerners dream of
    snow, but wake up to icy
    nightmares all around.
  17. thermodynamically deficient
    Shivering around
    the house, in the car, at the
    store. Always too cold.
  18. shopping maul
    Should we still look for
    the perfect gift, or will we
    make do with these socks?
  19. virtual lap, virtual ear
    Santa takes time to
    field last-minute Zoom calls from
    those good boys and girls.
  20. a christmas wish
    Could we lay down the
    guns for a day and start a
    little peace on earth?
  21. thirty marvel movies and counting
    Are we tired of
    movies based on comic books?
    Watch IP freely.
  22. what i did in 2022
    Met my girlfriend, got
    new job and computer, paid
    off all debt, walked miles.
  23. hankering for tales, tall and otherwise
    More people are swayed
    by compelling stories than
    dry facts on their own.
  24. over before it started
    Let’s resolve to make
    ourselves better in— Screw it
    and pass the cheesecake.
  25. closing the year in a tizzy
    Spending the last week
    hurriedly trying to do
    everything listed.
  26. the quiet countdown
    Nine, eight, seven, six,
    five, four, three, two, one. Happy
    New Year, we whisper.
  27. new year’s wish
    Hoping for growth, peace
    and all things wonderful in
    2023.
  28. pandemic year four
    The virus surges,
    and the death toll rises. Why
    aren’t we doing more?
  29. photos of who i am now
    The most glaring change
    is the biggest smile that you’ve
    ever partaken.
  30. old knees
    The legs work fine, save
    for creaky joints that sometimes
    need a little rest.
  31. gingerbread housing
    The roof leaks icing,
    the windows are all muddy,
    the walls are falling.
  32. pocket computers
    Use them to record
    moments, calculate bearings,
    learn about the world.
  33. suggested food trucks
    Pancakes, whiskey snow
    cones, pies, chitlins, kimchi and
    deep-fried everything.
  34. hop on a plane
    Take flight on an old
    747 to
    visit a new land.
  35. southwest gone south
    Their planes stood frozen
    on the tarmac. Their agents
    unable to move.
  36. streaming meltdown
    How do you win fans
    with mediocre programs
    and rising prices?
  37. reverse to-do list
    She added items
    already done to keep track
    of her performance.
  38. alas twitter
    Whoever thought that
    tweeting would prove to be more
    trouble than its worth?
  39. murder central
    Bodies drop every
    day in the city. Nothing
    slows down the killing.
  40. first time in south america
    Hopping continents
    to embrace new people and
    absorb more culture.
  41. hiding the special ice cream
    It resides in the
    secret freezer to keep those
    pesky roommates out.
  42. the nonviolence way
    Yell from the streets, march
    to and fro, let everyone
    know why we’re angry.
  43. the office cleanup
    Pack, trash, shred, file, place
    on shelves, stow in baskets, sweep,
    rearrange, compact.
  44. lower your standards
    Why have the best when
    you can have fourth best? Why try
    for unreachables?
  45. the lone birthday present
    It wasn’t much, but
    it was enough to stave off
    lonely bitterness.
  46. infinite diversity in infinite combinations
    The franchise, in its
    seventh decade, plows ahead
    with more fun and shock.
  47. internal calendar
    We feel a younger
    age than we are. Our spirit
    shines through our wan flesh.
  48. on the minibike
    The youngster puttered
    around the farm, causing the
    chickens to scatter.
  49. family gathering
    Young’uns running the
    halls, parents in the kitchen,
    Grandma in the den.
  50. the loudest children on earth
    They open their mouths
    like normal kids but emit
    high-decibel booms.
  51. yipping and yapping
    Doggy duo ruled
    room with microaggressive
    barks and energy.
  52. closed for private party
    You can’t come in: We’re
    busy celebrating your
    being kept outside.
  53. epic house party
    Lots of food and drink,
    a great endless playlist and
    friends and family.
  54. the tech revolution
    Easier to text
    the children than shout over
    and over for them.
  55. putting the “ai” in haiku
    This is a haiku
    about the nature. Pine cones
    come from cones of pine.
  56. the blizzard
    Trapped indoors with no
    means of escape. Surviving
    until help arrives.
  57. nepo babies
    Well, these Hollywood
    roles won’t cast themselves, will they?
    They’ll be stars, big stars!
  58. add 45 days
    It takes 21
    days for a new habit to
    take. But that’s a myth.
  59. the kayak incident
    My partner went for
    a swim. When he tried to climb
    back in … in I went!
  60. the long withdrawal
    The blinding headache
    of weaning yourself off of
    caffeine pierces all.
  61. what’s the steering wheel doing way over there?
    Everyone here drives
    on the left. There’s no way I
    can get used to it.
  62. beach bummed
    Got my sunscreen on.
    Got my cold drink and good book …
    uh oh, here comes rain.
  63. party barge
    Beer and booze for all
    as we swim and cavort and
    snorkel in the bay.
  64. nightly facetimes
    I needed to see
    that face, that smile, on my screen
    while away from home.
  65. the podcaster’s dilemma
    To let the guest shine
    or to hog the spotlight while
    showing off their smarts.
  66. improv rules
    Learning how to build
    each other’s ideas while
    not going for laughs.
  67. bite by bite
    They finished off the
    remaining ice cream and licked
    the bowl super clean.
  68. forming new habits
    Every action you
    take is a vote for the type
    you wish to become.
  69. strip mining memories
    Creative process
    includes plumbing deep depths of
    psyche for details.
  70. the chatgpt dad joke
    I asked the chatbot
    for a doctor’s note, but it
    gave me excuses.
  71. and chicken thighs
    Food is love. Cooking
    special dishes for special
    someone takes real heart.
  72. ai takeover
    An approximate
    thinking engine is enough
    to fool most of us.
  73. the path of elder care
    A winding trip through
    insurance and nursing homes
    and health aides and death.
  74. party at amanda’s
    Head to basement for
    rocking out with local band,
    banana in hand.
  75. i love you
    I said it, and I
    meant it. Don’t know why it took
    so long to utter.
  76. furry rave
    Dress for bed and for
    a party with some panda
    PJs and glow stick.
  77. tying the room together
    Throw out the shabby
    old rug, and throw down a new
    beauty to walk on.
  78. the pegasus effect
    Governments use these
    military-grade tools to
    spy on civilians.
  79. black life revealed
    Zora studied new
    cultures by taking part in
    songs and rituals.
  80. the dinner that almost wasn’t
    He forgot to make
    the reservations, and the
    joint was filling fast.
  81. moving offices
    They cleared out their small
    cubicles, hit the lights and
    left the rest behind.
  82. the lasting of ‘the last of us’
    Wandering through a
    hellscape of zombies and rogues.
    *shakes fist at fungus*
  83. the evolution of amazon
    Books to everything
    to knock-offs and “Lord of the
    Rings” and prescriptions.
  84. one step back
    Twists and turns on the
    road to sobriety can
    include relapses.
  85. why are we afraid of black history?
    Destroy all of our
    libraries and flog teachers
    who do not obey.
  86. a one thread count
    Sheets made of burlap
    that scratch the skin and crackle
    when placed on the bed.
  87. a dozen concerts on the calendar
    Wherever the bands
    play, whatever time they start,
    we’re gonna see them.
  88. pothole city
    Cars bounce and tires
    pop on the unkempt roads of
    our metropolis.
  89. the message of hip-hop
    A true 21st-
    century town crier who
    tells us where it’s at.
  90. race cars and thimbles
    Traipsing through a flat
    Atlantic City to buy
    property for cheap.
  91. the death of twitter
    All that was left was
    a self-styled pretender and
    adoring minions.
  92. quite the racquet
    Not enough spaces
    for tennis, pickleball. We’ll
    settle it in court.
  93. junk food jamboree
    Patties and buns in
    juicy combat to decide
    best burger in town.
  94. the magic window
    Glimpses of life on
    active rotation, highlights
    and precious moments.
  95. puzzlers
    Spending time sorting
    by edges and colors to
    build a large portrait.
  96. brighter days ahead
    The lie of the clock
    is that it’s earlier than
    it was yesterday.
  97. the modern awards show
    Flashy staging and
    slick graphics with the same old
    bigwigs and speeches.
  98. f is for fentanyl
    Kills without remorse
    this opioid scourge that hides
    in everyday drugs.
  99. pie oh my
    Cherry, chocolate,
    chess, apple, pumpkin, Key lime,
    blueberry, pecan.
  100. am i hungry?
    Learning to trust the
    body for signals to feed
    and to stop feeding.
  101. yelp wanted
    Scroll through the choices,
    pick a new restaurant for
    dinner on a dare.

• • •

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Happy 2023!

Sunday, January 1st, 2023
Miss Fancy, Avondale Park

Photo: T.K. Mc

Happy New Year! May 2023 be fanciful and wondrous.

Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 25th, 2022

Video: Darlene Love performs “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Merry Christmas!

Wade’s 101: Haiku retrospective 62

Monday, December 5th, 2022

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  1. the last corona virgin
    Get thee behind me,
    COVID. You shall not cross this
    masked face, these washed hands.
  2. we report, you comply
    When a news network
    lies to you all day, all night,
    it’s brainwash city.
  3. we’ve already moved on
    The mass shootings of
    today are forgotten long
    before the blood dries.
  4. a focus on the numbers
    She cared more about
    the target, even taking
    unhealthy chances.
  5. parton the interruption
    Philanthropist, song-
    writer, angel, a hell of
    a businesswoman.
  6. non-stop flow
    Time flies, or it creeps
    in this petty pace. But it
    always goes forward.
  7. saturday at the costco
    A warehouse filled with
    shoppers in a frenzy for
    discount bulk salmon.
  8. patriotic pickins
    What American
    boy hasn’t tried Rice Krispie
    treats? It’s in our blood.
  9. brigade of helpers
    They made the most of
    the day by installing the
    laminate wood floor.
  10. belabor day
    Quiet quitting. The
    Great Resignation. Looks like
    labor fighting back.
  11. probably not
    Does this poem make
    you angry or question all
    your base assumptions?
  12. the new skate park
    The boys made up new
    tricks as they glided and jumped
    and fell on each curve.
  13. waiting for da dough
    The bakery line
    stretched 20-people deep as
    aromas wafted.
  14. secret identity
    My mind wanders as
    we exchange pleasantries: Where
    do I know you from?
  15. bugging in
    Vaccinated and
    boosted (twice!) and I still caught
    coronavirus.
  16. tiresome
    They spent their weekend
    nights peeling out in circles
    while evading cops.
  17. some is forgiven
    The crushing weight of
    student loans becomes somewhat
    lighter in a snap.
  18. there’s always community college
    Education is
    too precious to let any
    yokel in the door.
  19. can’t spell ‘ain’t’ without ai
    Listen up, nerds: I
    don’t need no algorithm
    to decide my fate.
  20. penalty boxed
    It’s quite a racket
    that the government has when
    it comes to bounced checks.
  21. groundhog century
    Does history make
    progress ever, or are we
    stuck in a time loop?
  22. concert under the stars
    A warm summer’s eve
    as the bluegrass band takes the
    stage before a crowd.
  23. generation gaffe
    Should we really know
    TikTok and Dua Lipa
    and “Euphoria”?
  24. alternative school
    Either for the real
    geniuses or criminal-
    ly inclined or both?
  25. debt-free me
    I owe nothing to
    nobody, and that’s how it’s
    gonna stay for now.
  26. getting adult braces
    Just like teenage years,
    the metal braces steer these
    wayward ancient teeth.
  27. calendar vs. climate
    Will the blazing heat
    of endless summer ever
    make room for fall leaves?
  28. food is love
    Every morsel a
    hug, every calorie a
    blessing. Food is love.
  29. meme economy
    We’re cranking them out
    just as fast as possible.
    Demand is so high.
  30. cash free is the way to be
    This venue accepts
    only credit and debit
    cards. As God insists.
  31. power naps
    I lie down on a
    pad to recharge myself. So
    does my dead smartphone.
  32. palpable bitterness
    Life’s too short to let
    bygones be bygones. Embrace
    the darkness within.
  33. brownie à la mode
    Ever dream of a
    dessert only to have it
    come true? Life is sweet.
  34. the version in my head
    Is canon. Ships the
    best twosomes. Blows the effects
    budget. Has endings.
  35. zzz’s please
    Sleep, a miracle
    drug that heals fatigue and a
    large set of ailments.
  36. lizard in the house
    How did you get in
    here, little guy, and why are
    you up on the wall?
  37. droughts, fires, floods and debris
    The weather tells us
    in hurricanes and heat waves:
    Climate change is real.
  38. ragin’ contagion
    The pandemic is
    not over for millions of
    vulnerable folks.
  39. mortified on a daily basis
    Thinking of little
    else than stupid screwups from
    20 years ago.
  40. fall festival season
    Bring on the art and
    exotic foods and music
    and cooler weather.
  41. homecoming haze
    Let the alumni
    wander the halls and look back
    on their good ol’ days.
  42. the selfish friend
    Always ready with
    the wrong sentiment or the
    discouraging word.
  43. the bad boss
    He berates as he
    breathes, heaping scorn on the ones
    he hired for work.
  44. have you tried dried fruits?
    Like a kind of food
    parody where no one’s in
    on the spicy joke.
  45. daylight saving forever
    At some point, we’ll stop
    setting clocks back and live with
    brighter days ahead.
  46. the last half-season i forgot to watch
    I will probably
    never go back to see what
    happened to my buds.
  47. the pool is closed
    Hang up the swim trunks.
    Clear out the leaves and put on
    the safety cover.
  48. working the stadium concession stand
    Band kids and their folks
    shovel popcorn and serve hot
    dogs to raise money.
  49. fruity fondness
    Gimme those hand pies
    straight from fryer or oven.
    Let me burn my mouth.
  50. yelling, gesturing, repeating
    Talking in vain while
    listening to the band play
    deafeningly loud.
  51. shaky knees
    Standing upright one
    minute, feeling woozy the
    next minute. What gives?
  52. reno woes
    The contractor was
    supposed to start the project
    sometime last Thursday.
  53. home sweet home office
    A place to pay the
    bills, write novels and hide from
    the whole family.
  54. odd hours
    Have breakfast at noon,
    nap around dinnertime, go
    to sleep at sunrise.
  55. the hazing ritual
    Get beaten over
    and over because it’s how
    we always do things.
  56. the little farm stand
    Minnie and Jed run
    the place, showing off their fresh
    produce and hay bales.
  57. everyone has a price
    Can you be bought? Are
    your scruples for sale? Are you
    unimpeachable?
  58. fundamental telepathy
    Do we really want
    to know what people say when
    we are not around?
  59. waisted
    These pants used to fit
    me fine. Now they remind me
    not to have dessert.
  60. all dressed up
    A night on the town
    with my lady starts with fine
    fashion and footwear.
  61. candy shopping
    Cheapest? Full bars? The
    kind we like to nibble on?
    Pennies and raisins?
  62. waiting in the er
    Not enough staff but
    plenty of patients sweating
    it out for hours.
  63. in a dark alley
    All he remembered
    of the mugging was the gun
    pointed in his face.
  64. magic in the air
    The witches’ ball has
    ghoulish fun, cheap scares and a
    VIP section.
  65. potheads not prisoners
    When will this country’s
    criminalization of
    marijuana end?
  66. the spirit of all hallows’ eve
    We scare ourselves to
    feel alive, to face our fears,
    to know true horror.
  67. death takes a holiday
    Honoring those who’ve
    passed with fond remembrances,
    lovely ofrendas.
  68. candyland
    Off to the stores to
    rack up half-price chocolates
    and various sweets.
  69. the servers left behind
    A restaurant can
    only run short staffed for so
    long before it fails.
  70. what they did to get into college
    The little dumdums
    made up activities and
    had others take tests.
  71. what they did to get into college, part 2
    They relied on the
    worst stereotypes to dress
    up their normal lives.
  72. hour hands are tied
    An extra hour
    to set all the clocks inside
    and outside the house.
  73. the opening act
    A band, not quite as
    famous, but good enough for
    the show’s early birds.
  74. democracy at stake
    A referendum
    on the integrity of
    our own elections.
  75. the human purse
    Pockets for keys and
    gum, debit cards and lip balm
    and whatever else.
  76. southern snafus
    Birmingham traffic:
    280 sucks. Atlanta
    traffic: Hold my beer.
  77. veterans day … special?
    Can we offer more
    than discounts and fanfare to
    those who served our land?
  78. fall shower
    Brilliant leaves of gold
    and red and orange drifting down
    from audacious heights.
  79. at the marcus king show
    A fan collapses.
    Security guards surround.
    CPR started.
  80. shut out at the bakery. twice.
    Surprise! Doors are locked.
    Why hast thou forsaken me,
    Google? I believed.
  81. learning indian menus
    Try a new dish and
    record it in the log book.
    Slow but rewarding.
  82. first day on the job
    Report to HR
    to fill out paperwork and
    show my ID cards.
  83. a taste of sushi
    She timidly tried
    a bite, processing the smell,
    texture and flavor.
  84. the idlest boy in alabama
    Staring at the clock,
    waiting on an assignment,
    ready for nothing.
  85. beating hiv
    Not just unlocking
    the treatment, but also a
    preventative shot.
  86. the algorithm of crime
    New patterns based on
    old ones that oppress, detain
    and discriminate.
  87. a ball of stress
    Unable to sit
    still and relax, waiting for
    the worst to happen.
  88. bracing for family
    Here come the in-laws
    and relations to invade
    our houses. Deep breaths.
  89. thank you consequence
    It’s a healthy thing
    practicing gratitude … makes
    you less of a dick.
  90. foodie holiday
    Gimme that pumpkin
    pie, that gravy boat, some of
    that homemade dressing.
  91. the 15-hour pot roast
    Every check on the
    slow cooker lets out heat so
    it’s even slower.
  92. the late night visitor
    She snuck in through the
    dimly lit corridors to
    tuck in beside him.
  93. an ode to recruiters
    Ready to sign you
    up, ready to size you up,
    gone just as quickly.
  94. worth a thousand words
    A beaming smile bursts
    forth from the images of
    our nights on the town.
  95. debt free is the way to be
    No more house or car
    payments, credit card interest
    or old student loans.
  96. volunteering for the wrong reasons
    Doesn’t matter as
    long as you put more good and
    giving in the world.
  97. the truth is paywalled but the lies are free
    Paywalled sites bear the
    fruit of investigative
    journalism, so …
  98. beyond heartbreak
    Even after we
    oust them, abusive exes
    continue their harm.
  99. oh and dumbledore’s gay
    Representation
    after the fact shows a lack
    of author backbone.
  100. personal pillow valet
    She brought her own to
    sleep more soundly, tossing the
    old ones from the bed.
  101. beyond boundaries
    If we don’t set them,
    we handle relationships
    at our own peril.

• • •

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 24th, 2022

Video: Las Vegas engineer designs floats and more for
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! Go behind the scenes of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Happy Veterans Day!

Friday, November 11th, 2022

Video: Livestream of the 2022 National Veterans Day parade

It’s time to honor the men and women of America’s armed forces.

The 2022 National Veterans Day parade starts at 11 a.m. downtown. The video livestream above will have coverage of the event.

Map: National Veterans Day parade route

Vote 2022: Alabama general election results

Tuesday, November 8th, 2022
Vote 2022

Who won their races today in the midterm elections? Here are results from the top offices in Alabama, Jefferson and Shelby Counties …

More election coverage in our Vote 2022 special report.

Update Nov. 9: Voter turnout statewide was 38.5 percent, the worst showing in 36 years. Jefferson County had a 41.1 percent turnout, while Shelby County had a 41.8 percent turnout.

Statewide turnout in previous midterms was 49.8 percent in 2018, 41 percent in 2014 and 57.5 percent in 2010.

(Updating throughout the evening.)

(Contested races only)

  • D = Democrat | I = incumbent | L = Libertarian | R = Republican
  • Winner in red

• • •

More Vote 2022 coverage.

Vote 2022: Time to vote, y’all

Tuesday, November 8th, 2022
Vote

Photo: CAJC in the PNW (CC)

It’s Election Day 2022, midterms edition. Polls are open till 7 tonight with races at the local, state and national levels, plus 10 state amendments.

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:

  • Notify a poll worker immediately.
  • Call the secretary of state at 1-800-274-VOTE (8683) or visit his site.
  • And tell the probate court for Jefferson County (205-325-5203) or Shelby County (205-669-3713). Nationwide: 866-OUR-VOTE (687-8683) or 866ourvote.org.
  • E-mail us at Vote2022[at]wadeonbirmingham.com.

You can request a provisional ballot under special circumstances.

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More Vote 2022 coverage.

Vote 2022: Sample ballots for Jefferson, Shelby County general election

Tuesday, November 1st, 2022

Vote 2022

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The ballot has federal, state and county offices, along with 10 state amendments. We have an explainer on the amendments. And check out the Alabama Voter Guide 2022, with voting procedures and frequently asked questions.

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Election Day is Nov. 8.

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Jefferson County


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Shelby County

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State amendments explained


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Alabama Voter Guide 2022

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More Vote 2022 coverage.

Happy Halloween!

Monday, October 31st, 2022

Video: Enjoy the history of the holiday.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Labor Day!

Monday, September 5th, 2022

Video: The history of Labor Day in America

Happy Labor Day! Enjoy this history lesson from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Wade’s 101: Haiku retrospective 61

Friday, August 26th, 2022

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  1. my whole life is kayfabe
    Feuding with people
    who aren’t involved, aligning
    with heels and faces.
  2. last days of high school
    One final goodbye
    to teachers and classmates who
    shared this adulting.
  3. house shopping 2022
    Make crazy offers,
    waive the inspection, and still
    lose to investors.
  4. acidic aspirations
    Take psilocybin
    and conquer the fear of death
    while tripping big balls.
  5. the right number of exclamation points
    Hello! It’s good to
    meet you!! And a period
    to show I’m not nuts.
  6. election time in alabama
    The kooky battle
    to go further right than your
    distinguished rivals.
  7. three is a tragic number
    Ten years ago, the
    Birmingham News chose to give
    up and publish less.
  8. the coming of summer
    Clean out the pool, try
    on your swimsuit, and prepare
    for the hottest days.
  9. dear graduates 2022
    We broke the world so
    you’d have something to fix in
    your ample spare time.
  10. specs appeal
    New eyeglasses for
    a new look: suave, stunning and
    sophisticated.
  11. “you don’t look your age”
    The compliment from
    the pharmacist’s assistant
    made my day complete.
  12. a saturday offline
    Mother and daughters
    united over a day
    without noisy screens.
  13. in remembrance
    We spend a day to
    honor the fallen, the brave
    ones who gave their all.
  14. disease-free summer
    Let’s hope the boosters,
    masks and distancing pay off
    in the next season.
  15. nice is not the same as kind
    Worth pondering while
    sizing up people around
    us and their motives.
  16. mycelial networking
    Competing trees share
    sun and minerals through an
    underground network.
  17. circle the block
    Walking the same stretch
    every day and looking for
    what we missed before.
  18. gimme one of everything
    The candy store stocked
    a myriad of sweet treats
    and delicacies.
  19. cult of productivity
    Don’t let a minute
    slip away without wringing
    some work outta it.
  20. feeling useless
    Overprepared and
    underused, a wan combo
    holding workers back.
  21. affirm gesture
    He would tell himself
    in the mirror, “I am great,
    and I am special.”
  22. parallel parking: the musical
    ♫ Where oh where can I
    park? There’s a spot! Can I fit?
    Will I hit the cur-r-r-r-r-r-rb? ♫
  23. the ethical parker
    Take up only one
    space. Don’t back in. Wait till the
    gate is fully clear.
  24. ammosexuals
    Ammosexuals
    brandish lethal weapons as
    the bodies pile up.
  25. a dish of copypasta
    The digital screed
    made its way through the forums
    hungry for violence.
  26. four holes
    Her mouth left her in
    writhing agony, defanged
    of her wisdom teeth.
  27. the unkempt neighbor
    The place next door has
    an abundance of weeds and
    a rickety porch.
  28. lake life
    Sitting on the dock,
    legs dangling, watching the boats
    churn through the water.
  29. the littlest crazies
    The youngest face down
    anxiety, depression
    and bouts of self harm.
  30. cobblestone nightmare
    Jostling teeth loose while
    bumping along a million-
    year-old unpaved road.
  31. the burden of paying down the burden
    The mountain of debt
    shrinks payday to payday, with
    something left to spend.
  32. city on the grow
    She felt the stirring
    of civic pride and planned to
    move away quickly.
  33. bus stops of the future
    Sleek design meets queued
    riders ready to board their
    civic chariot.
  34. the gelato shop on the cobblestone street
    Kids pressed their noses
    to the window, trying to
    decide which flavor.
  35. summer to-dos
    Lounge around the pool,
    catch fireflies in a jar,
    nap in a hammock.
  36. the secret girlfriend
    He didn’t tell his
    friends that he was dating and
    found someone special.
  37. in case of situational anxiety
    Go rigid throughout
    the body, unable to
    take in what’s coming.
  38. ducking the shooter
    She dipped her hands in
    her friend’s blood to paint herself
    and lay very still.
  39. green card blues
    They married for love
    and citizenship, ready
    to pass any test.
  40. learning to eat again
    We deal with food, a
    necessity but sometimes
    a fierce enemy.
  41. trek to the cahaba lilies
    Wading the river
    to see glorious blooms while
    they’re still in season.
  42. sweaty chores
    The humidity
    pours out of us as we work
    outside this summer.
  43. petty patrol
    We keep score for so
    long we forget what it was
    that riled us before.
  44. regions field, sixth inning
    A hot dog and a
    taco raced around the field
    to the cheers of fans.
  45. the wooden chimes
    Swaying stems, the wind
    playing those bamboo trees in
    nature’s symphony.
  46. nineties and hundreds
    Air conditioners
    unable to match summer
    blasts of brutal heat.
  47. long walks to nowhere
    Six thousand steps or
    two-and-a-half miles on the
    treadmill, one hour.
  48. freedom for me but not for thee
    This land is your land,
    this land is not my land, this
    land was made for you.
  49. nine-month sentence
    Women, guilty or
    innocent, can face the same
    time for the same “crime.”
  50. worrying 9 to 5
    On-the-job stress that
    grows with each shift, a pressure
    that’s unrelenting.
  51. the world games in birmingham
    Masters of discount
    sports assemble for friendly
    competitiveness.
  52. the pause
    Before suffering,
    before mindless anarchy,
    we take a moment.
  53. deliberately forward
    Bravery is the
    act of putting one foot in
    front of the other.
  54. but never tennis
    The treads worn smooth by
    years of pacing and walking,
    shuffling and running.
  55. the chores that never seem to get done
    Better put them off
    till next week, or next month, or
    next season. They’ll keep.
  56. long message service
    Their texting thread wound
    through breakups and meet-cutes, past
    heartaches and wonders.
  57. the missing geese
    The feathered fiends were
    nowhere to be found in the
    sprawling city park.
  58. indifference vs. inert
    No forward motion
    and no incentive. Versus
    unable to move.
  59. no cover fridays
    I’d rather converse
    than listen to the band, trade
    words than hear the beats.
  60. stood up
    She had some place to
    be better than our late date,
    as if she’s all that.
  61. magnanimity 2022
    They planned to shelter
    homeless in plywood ovens
    in the scorching sun.
  62. ode to a fruit pie
    Apples and sugar
    melded in a thin pastry
    inside its wrapper.
  63. the runaway tooth
    One fang among the
    many set off on its own
    despite group pressure.
  64. tension up high
    I feel anxious more
    than ever and all throughout
    my poor old body.
  65. no candle blower outers
    Delight in the grand
    fortunes of others and have
    them delight in yours.
  66. ridiculously consistent
    The patterns emerge:
    Why be somewhat consistent
    when you can be all?
  67. coming into your own
    Learning to be your-
    self. Standing up for yourself.
    Being true to you.
  68. one bruised toenail
    The feet survived the
    new walking routine except
    for one bruised toenail.
  69. boy meets girl, something something something
    One good thing about
    seeing movies high is not
    caring how it ends.
  70. the click
    Suddenly it all
    makes sense. Everything just falls
    into place like so.
  71. mandatory fun is mandatory
    Despite carefree smiles,
    corporate dictates insist on
    fun no matter what.
  72. heat is the true killer
    Forget tornadoes
    and blizzards, heat is the true
    killer among men.
  73. the protests must go on
    The patriarchy
    belches. So foul the stench that
    we must cry out more.
  74. the parking did them in
    The concert was great,
    but the escape was blocked on
    all sides by traffic.
  75. the pool
    She rode atop the
    salty waves for a slice of
    her backyard heaven.
  76. a furious hush
    The madder he got,
    the quieter he became,
    seething in silence.
  77. one small selfie for man
    They posed in front of
    a rocket, and you could see
    the stars in their eyes.
  78. who’s in charge of what?
    He’s in charge of the
    grill and tires. She’s in charge
    of everything else.
  79. chill vibe
    Not too busy, not
    too loud, just an evening of
    soft music and words.
  80. boned appetit
    This state taxes food,
    not for the revenue but
    out of danged sheer spite.
  81. an inherited problem
    The bosses stuck him
    on an out-of-the-way team,
    hoping for … something.
  82. the drone
    On and on he went,
    pausing not for breath or for
    reply, endlessly …
  83. her eyes gave it away
    As she waited on
    tables, she hoped no one would
    see how high she was.
  84. studying psychedelics
    On the precipice
    of exploring creation
    and total being.
  85. death of summer
    No more late night game
    tournaments, no more hanging
    out around the pool.
  86. first day of class
    Pencils sharpened, shoes
    tied, lunches packed. Everyone
    have a good school year!
  87. 2-d hollywood
    The cardboard cutouts
    stood ready to glamorize
    modest mundane lives.
  88. headlines and tan lines
    The Facebook news tab
    is the standard mix of tech
    stocks and Page 3 Girls.
  89. duolingo, but make it geeky
    He tried his best to
    learn from the book, practicing
    his new coding skills.
  90. working stiffed
    Stop with the “look at
    me.” You don’t get a cookie
    for doing your job.
  91. what not to teach
    History. Facts. Sex
    ed. Critical Race Theory.
    Science. Deep thinking.
  92. modern horoscopes
    Turn off your ringer
    and crawl back in bed, Pisces.
    He ain’t texting you.
  93. weaponized vocabulary
    Her words cut deeply,
    making her loathsome point oh
    so sarcastically.
  94. the telescope a million miles away
    Peering into space,
    looking back billions of years
    to our origins.
  95. monkeypox see, monkeypox do
    We have already
    weathered one pandemic, what’s
    another disease?
  96. marvel, phase 8
    Ninety episodes,
    19 movies, three concerts
    and five new theme parks.
  97. no one stood up
    The city cut the
    library budget, leaving
    no choice but to close.
  98. the perfect patriarchy
    It is not enough
    to own women. We must smash
    their free will as well.
  99. matrix of deception
    From the shadows they
    pulled the strings. No one could find
    them, much less stop them.
  100. the bully
    At times, I have been
    the bully. And at times, the
    bullied. Choose wisely.
  101. the bearable heat
    The AC couldn’t
    decide between too cold and
    too hot. Lukewarm days.

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Wade's Daily Haiku | Photo: Steve Johnson (CC) https://bit.ly/23DJ3yF

Happy Independence Day!

Monday, July 4th, 2022

Video: WCBS-2 report on the newest Americans in New York.

•

Happy birthday, America!

Meet the members of the Army taking the oath to become American citizens this weekend at the New York Public Library.

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.