Japan, or maybe France — that’s where they live on wine and coconuts and talk. They like a little whoopdedoo on ice, they give neighbors the right-of-way and take their bikes & mushrooms everywhere — why shouldn’t they? Perhaps we’ve underestimated them, even when they give their hearts away to gardeners and republicans, democrats, elites — acrostics, spelling bees, razzmatazz, bread — they love it all, & beer looms large with them. The art of life! The mess of life, holy mess! Index this: When we venture freely through the gates of art, we’re entering the temple of happiness.                              — to Joan & Peter — love     © Michael Fleming Brattleboro, Vermont November 2018