In the Northwoods, there’s really nothing common about the common loon. Even when they are “common” they have a special place on any lake they inhabit.
Author Archives: timothygoodwin
In His Face
In his faceWas painAs the angry mob crushed him against the door frameChanting “Stop the steal!” In his facewas disbeliefAs they surged and pressed en masse Screaming “Fuck the police!” In his face Was confusionWhen head was wrenched back and face shield removed And he heard “Fuck the blue!” In his faceWas agonyAs they surgedContinue reading “In His Face”
Within These Woods: Black-Capped Chickadee
“Chickadee-dee-dee”
Have We Failed the Marshmallow Test?
Are you familiar with the marshmallow test? This is a 1972 study by Stanford psychologist Walter Mischel. Young children were offered an immediate small reward (1 marshmallow or pretzel stick) or a reward of two if they could wait a few minutes. After establishing trust with the children that the researcher would honor their offer,Continue reading “Have We Failed the Marshmallow Test?”
Within These Woods: Bloodroot
This demure little flower leads to thoughts about our relationships with our children, the natural world, and what it means to care for someone.
They Teach Anyway
When the budget is cut another ten percentAnd a new set of standards and tests are passedAnd after another lock down drillThey teach anyway When told to find just five more seatsFor thirty five in a room for twenty fiveFor kids coming to school hungryThey teach anyway When everyone is sent homeThen back againThen homeContinue reading “They Teach Anyway”
Within These Woods: White-Throated Sparrow
This is my favorite selection from the book.
In Their Own Words
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. WeContinue reading “In Their Own Words”
For MLK Day 2021
Within These Woods: Snapping Turtle
This week’s essay is about the grandfather turtle.
