Welcome to The RavensPerch

The lover of stone must be old, for there is no such thing as a young stone. The lover of stone must be strong, for he must be able to climb up the mountain and the summit of the mountain to find the beginning of stone. And he must be able to climb down the mountain...

Runts of the litter, you were always the weakest ones. You were always the neediest. Right from the start, in first grade, my mother had to get those heavy glass crutches for you. How stupid you looked walking around with them. How embarrassed you were. How helpless...

Sit up here, feet. Get a load off. Come up here on the desk, across from me at legs’ length, so I can see you, so I can thank you properly. I want to thank you properly for taking me everywhere I have needed to go: Up the steps of libraries and down the steps of...

letting go takes less energy than holding on in the moment yet somehow it is infinitely harder this letting go for in order to let go I need to absorb the reality of your impending death and my heart screams to the four corners of the universe a resounding no not yet...

the hardest part of grief letting go the second hardest part of grief the foreverness

tonight I painted the feeling of hot sun on newly bare skin first really hot day at the end of a hike to the lake and I feel sun kissed days later I can still feel sun's lips on bare arms solo for now the sun warms me through until I find my last first kiss the sun's...

I still after four years, now go to pick up the phone to call you and each time it hits me anew that I can’t so I talk to you in my heart instead I know you hear me and in your gentle way I hear you, still but if only we could have just one more call this morning I...

Outside my window, the pale forearms of sea mist climb trees with childlike vigor. Smoke skims from chimneys. There is nothing to depend upon, except each impossible change. A tabby hunts a sparrow whose beak plunders a rooftop gutter. Another life surrendered. I...

Where the undetermined slouch and dangle feet over the edge, or sit full lotus, bait sharp hooks with earthworms, tie flies with a contentment of feathers—cast lines. Some pretend sublime acceptance, as if anyone is fooled at this stage. Others relax, believe they are...

Another morning and the dog is laid up— tendon that burst like an overripe tomato, sutures, a jagged scribble on her haunch, bandage near her vulva where a fatty tumor excised since we’re knocking her out anyway. She’s ripped, tattered like a worn stuffed animal,...

when I walk in the forest and hear the river rushing I feel your presence near in the branches above me for the trees have eyes I see the world anew and feel your presence surround me as I float along the river for all life has eyes the birds sing me music through the...