An Ode to One of My Favorite Detroit Spaces — Deep emerald leather and dark wood wainscoting suggest luxuries beyond my east side expectations American Spirit smoke floats by along with heady words mapping potential playmates and career daydreams In a space we were once barred from entering, We laugh. We laugh the grand belly howls of the liberated. …

On an innocuous Tuesday morning, With icy winter rain tapping at my window Driving my daughter to school Sza’s soulful words rolling through my Buick The loneliness pounces Creeps through my rib cage like English Ivy And threatens my heart with its violent tendrils The ivy is like quicksand dragging…

I’ve never been much of a royal watcher, but I find myself super interested in watching Harry verbalize his experience within the royal family. …

My journey to my own tool belt — The year I got divorced, I purchased a small home that I could afford on my own. I had owned homes with my husband over the previous ten years, but our division of labor was pretty traditional during that time. I cooked and did most of the laundry and cleaning…

I once watched a horror show in which people got trapped in memories causing their present selves to become catatonic. They called it being “tucked away” and no term ever made more sense to me. Sometimes I walk into a place and before I can gather a defense, my breath…

A map for a new generation — “The kids are not alright!” Or, are they? Maybe they are better than ever. Maybe we should follow their lead. Even before the pandemic, my classroom was riddled with students struggling with anxiety. They dragged themselves through the door of school and into my English classroom with resignation. …

A bucket list trip that was worth the work — “You made it, Tara! I didn’t see you before, but I see you now. Can I give you a hug?” Lorena’s dark eyes peered into my soul. I fell into her embrace and released the sobs I had been stifling. Feeling a bit embarrassed by my emotion, I stepped away…

In search of the road map for middle age. — Whenever I encounter something new in my life, I find a book about it. When I was experiencing existential angst as a teenager, I read Dostoyevsky and Herman Hesse. When I started experimenting with drugs, I got into the beat poets. As I tumbled into alcoholism and heroin addiction, Charles…

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, I’ve been grappling with whether or not to write something about it. I mean those of you who understand all the reasons this is terrible, already get it; and those of you who don’t get it, won’t be swayed by anything I…