Many years ago, an unusual print laid CLAIM to my attention, leading us to buy it. It is from the 1700s, showing St. Lawrence set to BROIL upon his grill. We were in some curio shop, the kind that produces the feeling of puttering around in someone else’s attic. We have had it for years. Truly, his role as patron saint of cooks and chefs, appears a bit ironic. He is also the patron saint of students. I confess that I fail to see how the roasted saint protects a PUPIL from the DEVIL. But such are the mysterious ways of the holy.

Georg’ann

Through the night, fierce winds,
lightening. Rain pelted the window.
Then settled into a more delicate
ice crystal melody, in UNION
with the wind chime.
40 degree drop by dawn.

Labile weather for the world.
Scrolling the news quickly.
Numbness, despair, outrage,
brief reprieve then more.
DIRTY business.
Someone searching for DEXIE
made a pact with the DEVIL.
Endless these pacts.

Crash in the closet, door widens.
Out comes the cat, nonchalant.

Heather