“how about that tsunami?” “the one in indonesia?” “yeah, that one”
All day there’s been a stream of visitors
to the world map on my cubicle wall,
co-workers come to look for the place where it all happened.
Should I be surprised that on at least five occasions
I’ve had to point at the Indian Ocean
and then do a quick finger tour around the rim?
Or should I be heartened that at least
they came by to look? Or that they knew
the map was here? It’s evidence, after all, that
the wave reached beyond Aceh. The wave
hit everything. It’s just that not everything
got wet enough to make a body feel,
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
or just keep going back to the wall to point it out again:
here is Phuket, here Aceh, here Sri Lanka, here Tamil Nadu,
here Pondicherry, here Chennai. Here is Myanmar
which has been silent. Here we are in the United States,
and here is everyone else.
Dark Matter 
January 6th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I missed this one.
Thanks, Tony.
January 6th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I missed this one.
Thanks, Tony.
January 6th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I missed this one.
Thanks, Tony.
January 6th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I missed this one.
Thanks, Tony.
January 6th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I missed this one.
Thanks, Tony.
January 6th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I missed this one.
Thanks, Tony.
January 6th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I missed this one.
Thanks, Tony.
January 6th, 2005 at 3:29 am
I missed this one.
Thanks, Tony.
December 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I did it at redcross.org. I would have used your list if I had known about it.
It’s just so sad. The current reported deaths (44,000+) equals the population of my entire hometown in IL. It puts it in perspective for me to look at it that way.
December 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I did it at redcross.org. I would have used your list if I had known about it.
It’s just so sad. The current reported deaths (44,000+) equals the population of my entire hometown in IL. It puts it in perspective for me to look at it that way.
December 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I did it at redcross.org. I would have used your list if I had known about it.
It’s just so sad. The current reported deaths (44,000+) equals the population of my entire hometown in IL. It puts it in perspective for me to look at it that way.
December 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I did it at redcross.org. I would have used your list if I had known about it.
It’s just so sad. The current reported deaths (44,000+) equals the population of my entire hometown in IL. It puts it in perspective for me to look at it that way.
December 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I did it at redcross.org. I would have used your list if I had known about it.
It’s just so sad. The current reported deaths (44,000+) equals the population of my entire hometown in IL. It puts it in perspective for me to look at it that way.
December 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I did it at redcross.org. I would have used your list if I had known about it.
It’s just so sad. The current reported deaths (44,000+) equals the population of my entire hometown in IL. It puts it in perspective for me to look at it that way.
December 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I did it at redcross.org. I would have used your list if I had known about it.
It’s just so sad. The current reported deaths (44,000+) equals the population of my entire hometown in IL. It puts it in perspective for me to look at it that way.
December 28th, 2004 at 8:01 pm
I did it at redcross.org. I would have used your list if I had known about it.
It’s just so sad. The current reported deaths (44,000+) equals the population of my entire hometown in IL. It puts it in perspective for me to look at it that way.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:49 pm
I think you can. Hit on my friend’s list for organizations that are accepting donations.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:49 pm
I think you can. Hit on my friend’s list for organizations that are accepting donations.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:49 pm
I think you can. Hit on my friend’s list for organizations that are accepting donations.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:49 pm
I think you can. Hit on my friend’s list for organizations that are accepting donations.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:49 pm
I think you can. Hit on my friend’s list for organizations that are accepting donations.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:49 pm
I think you can. Hit on my friend’s list for organizations that are accepting donations.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:49 pm
I think you can. Hit on my friend’s list for organizations that are accepting donations.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:49 pm
I think you can. Hit on my friend’s list for organizations that are accepting donations.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
And now the tears are flowing again. *sniff*
Thank you for reminding me to do more than just *think* about writing a check for the relief effort.
On my way to redcross.org to see if I can donate online.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
And now the tears are flowing again. *sniff*
Thank you for reminding me to do more than just *think* about writing a check for the relief effort.
On my way to redcross.org to see if I can donate online.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
And now the tears are flowing again. *sniff*
Thank you for reminding me to do more than just *think* about writing a check for the relief effort.
On my way to redcross.org to see if I can donate online.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
And now the tears are flowing again. *sniff*
Thank you for reminding me to do more than just *think* about writing a check for the relief effort.
On my way to redcross.org to see if I can donate online.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
And now the tears are flowing again. *sniff*
Thank you for reminding me to do more than just *think* about writing a check for the relief effort.
On my way to redcross.org to see if I can donate online.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
And now the tears are flowing again. *sniff*
Thank you for reminding me to do more than just *think* about writing a check for the relief effort.
On my way to redcross.org to see if I can donate online.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
And now the tears are flowing again. *sniff*
Thank you for reminding me to do more than just *think* about writing a check for the relief effort.
On my way to redcross.org to see if I can donate online.
December 28th, 2004 at 7:31 pm
And now the tears are flowing again. *sniff*
Thank you for reminding me to do more than just *think* about writing a check for the relief effort.
On my way to redcross.org to see if I can donate online.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
Re: proximity
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
Re: proximity
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
Re: proximity
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
Re: proximity
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
Re: proximity
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
Re: proximity
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
Re: proximity
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:23 pm
Re: proximity
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:18 pm
proximity
That’s something I’ve been trying to articulate for years.
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:18 pm
proximity
That’s something I’ve been trying to articulate for years.
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:18 pm
proximity
That’s something I’ve been trying to articulate for years.
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:18 pm
proximity
That’s something I’ve been trying to articulate for years.
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:18 pm
proximity
That’s something I’ve been trying to articulate for years.
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:18 pm
proximity
That’s something I’ve been trying to articulate for years.
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:18 pm
proximity
That’s something I’ve been trying to articulate for years.
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 5:18 pm
proximity
That’s something I’ve been trying to articulate for years.
Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
Re: the islands that are not named
I’m honored by the thoughtful critique. Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
Re: the islands that are not named
I’m honored by the thoughtful critique. Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
Re: the islands that are not named
I’m honored by the thoughtful critique. Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
Re: the islands that are not named
I’m honored by the thoughtful critique. Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
Re: the islands that are not named
I’m honored by the thoughtful critique. Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
Re: the islands that are not named
I’m honored by the thoughtful critique. Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
Re: the islands that are not named
I’m honored by the thoughtful critique. Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:59 pm
Re: the islands that are not named
I’m honored by the thoughtful critique. Thank you.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:58 pm
the islands that are not named
Beautifully worded. You have such an intrinsic grasp of humanity, point out our blind spots so aptly, but something that I adore is that even as the speaker asks, “Should I be surprised,” then “Should I be heartened,” then “I wish I knew if I should cry,” the speaker emphasizes our desire to search for knowledge, no matter how late the quest.
I get the vision of the speaker as a teacher in that last stanza…guiding adults to find a world that has just come up for air recently. What they will find will be words that fill their mouths awkwardly, but they will remember.
This poem speaks volumes. Lovely.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:58 pm
the islands that are not named
Beautifully worded. You have such an intrinsic grasp of humanity, point out our blind spots so aptly, but something that I adore is that even as the speaker asks, “Should I be surprised,” then “Should I be heartened,” then “I wish I knew if I should cry,” the speaker emphasizes our desire to search for knowledge, no matter how late the quest.
I get the vision of the speaker as a teacher in that last stanza…guiding adults to find a world that has just come up for air recently. What they will find will be words that fill their mouths awkwardly, but they will remember.
This poem speaks volumes. Lovely.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:58 pm
the islands that are not named
Beautifully worded. You have such an intrinsic grasp of humanity, point out our blind spots so aptly, but something that I adore is that even as the speaker asks, “Should I be surprised,” then “Should I be heartened,” then “I wish I knew if I should cry,” the speaker emphasizes our desire to search for knowledge, no matter how late the quest.
I get the vision of the speaker as a teacher in that last stanza…guiding adults to find a world that has just come up for air recently. What they will find will be words that fill their mouths awkwardly, but they will remember.
This poem speaks volumes. Lovely.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:58 pm
the islands that are not named
Beautifully worded. You have such an intrinsic grasp of humanity, point out our blind spots so aptly, but something that I adore is that even as the speaker asks, “Should I be surprised,” then “Should I be heartened,” then “I wish I knew if I should cry,” the speaker emphasizes our desire to search for knowledge, no matter how late the quest.
I get the vision of the speaker as a teacher in that last stanza…guiding adults to find a world that has just come up for air recently. What they will find will be words that fill their mouths awkwardly, but they will remember.
This poem speaks volumes. Lovely.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:58 pm
the islands that are not named
Beautifully worded. You have such an intrinsic grasp of humanity, point out our blind spots so aptly, but something that I adore is that even as the speaker asks, “Should I be surprised,” then “Should I be heartened,” then “I wish I knew if I should cry,” the speaker emphasizes our desire to search for knowledge, no matter how late the quest.
I get the vision of the speaker as a teacher in that last stanza…guiding adults to find a world that has just come up for air recently. What they will find will be words that fill their mouths awkwardly, but they will remember.
This poem speaks volumes. Lovely.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:58 pm
the islands that are not named
Beautifully worded. You have such an intrinsic grasp of humanity, point out our blind spots so aptly, but something that I adore is that even as the speaker asks, “Should I be surprised,” then “Should I be heartened,” then “I wish I knew if I should cry,” the speaker emphasizes our desire to search for knowledge, no matter how late the quest.
I get the vision of the speaker as a teacher in that last stanza…guiding adults to find a world that has just come up for air recently. What they will find will be words that fill their mouths awkwardly, but they will remember.
This poem speaks volumes. Lovely.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:58 pm
the islands that are not named
Beautifully worded. You have such an intrinsic grasp of humanity, point out our blind spots so aptly, but something that I adore is that even as the speaker asks, “Should I be surprised,” then “Should I be heartened,” then “I wish I knew if I should cry,” the speaker emphasizes our desire to search for knowledge, no matter how late the quest.
I get the vision of the speaker as a teacher in that last stanza…guiding adults to find a world that has just come up for air recently. What they will find will be words that fill their mouths awkwardly, but they will remember.
This poem speaks volumes. Lovely.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:58 pm
the islands that are not named
Beautifully worded. You have such an intrinsic grasp of humanity, point out our blind spots so aptly, but something that I adore is that even as the speaker asks, “Should I be surprised,” then “Should I be heartened,” then “I wish I knew if I should cry,” the speaker emphasizes our desire to search for knowledge, no matter how late the quest.
I get the vision of the speaker as a teacher in that last stanza…guiding adults to find a world that has just come up for air recently. What they will find will be words that fill their mouths awkwardly, but they will remember.
This poem speaks volumes. Lovely.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Oh, I understood that. Sorry for not being clear.
I always get uncomfortable when a poem that was written from sorrow gets a compliment. Weird but true.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Oh, I understood that. Sorry for not being clear.
I always get uncomfortable when a poem that was written from sorrow gets a compliment. Weird but true.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Oh, I understood that. Sorry for not being clear.
I always get uncomfortable when a poem that was written from sorrow gets a compliment. Weird but true.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Oh, I understood that. Sorry for not being clear.
I always get uncomfortable when a poem that was written from sorrow gets a compliment. Weird but true.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Oh, I understood that. Sorry for not being clear.
I always get uncomfortable when a poem that was written from sorrow gets a compliment. Weird but true.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Oh, I understood that. Sorry for not being clear.
I always get uncomfortable when a poem that was written from sorrow gets a compliment. Weird but true.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Oh, I understood that. Sorry for not being clear.
I always get uncomfortable when a poem that was written from sorrow gets a compliment. Weird but true.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:23 pm
Oh, I understood that. Sorry for not being clear.
I always get uncomfortable when a poem that was written from sorrow gets a compliment. Weird but true.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
(raising eyebrow) You’re welcome.
“Good Poem” is a compliment so you’re welcome.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
(raising eyebrow) You’re welcome.
“Good Poem” is a compliment so you’re welcome.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
(raising eyebrow) You’re welcome.
“Good Poem” is a compliment so you’re welcome.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
(raising eyebrow) You’re welcome.
“Good Poem” is a compliment so you’re welcome.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
(raising eyebrow) You’re welcome.
“Good Poem” is a compliment so you’re welcome.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
(raising eyebrow) You’re welcome.
“Good Poem” is a compliment so you’re welcome.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
(raising eyebrow) You’re welcome.
“Good Poem” is a compliment so you’re welcome.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:20 pm
(raising eyebrow) You’re welcome.
“Good Poem” is a compliment so you’re welcome.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Every classroom in America should have one of those.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Every classroom in America should have one of those.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Every classroom in America should have one of those.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Every classroom in America should have one of those.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Every classroom in America should have one of those.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Every classroom in America should have one of those.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Every classroom in America should have one of those.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:16 pm
Every classroom in America should have one of those.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
*gape*
December 28th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
*gape*
December 28th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
*gape*
December 28th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
*gape*
December 28th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
*gape*
December 28th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
*gape*
December 28th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
*gape*
December 28th, 2004 at 4:14 pm
*gape*
December 28th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Speaking of which…my map is a Peters projection map, which is designed to reduce the distortion of traditional maps by putting all countries back into size scale. Makes a huge difference to your world view.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Speaking of which…my map is a Peters projection map, which is designed to reduce the distortion of traditional maps by putting all countries back into size scale. Makes a huge difference to your world view.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Speaking of which…my map is a Peters projection map, which is designed to reduce the distortion of traditional maps by putting all countries back into size scale. Makes a huge difference to your world view.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Speaking of which…my map is a Peters projection map, which is designed to reduce the distortion of traditional maps by putting all countries back into size scale. Makes a huge difference to your world view.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Speaking of which…my map is a Peters projection map, which is designed to reduce the distortion of traditional maps by putting all countries back into size scale. Makes a huge difference to your world view.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Speaking of which…my map is a Peters projection map, which is designed to reduce the distortion of traditional maps by putting all countries back into size scale. Makes a huge difference to your world view.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Speaking of which…my map is a Peters projection map, which is designed to reduce the distortion of traditional maps by putting all countries back into size scale. Makes a huge difference to your world view.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:11 pm
Speaking of which…my map is a Peters projection map, which is designed to reduce the distortion of traditional maps by putting all countries back into size scale. Makes a huge difference to your world view.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks. I think.
One I wish I didn’t have to write.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks. I think.
One I wish I didn’t have to write.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks. I think.
One I wish I didn’t have to write.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks. I think.
One I wish I didn’t have to write.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks. I think.
One I wish I didn’t have to write.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks. I think.
One I wish I didn’t have to write.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks. I think.
One I wish I didn’t have to write.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:09 pm
Thanks. I think.
One I wish I didn’t have to write.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:08 pm
We were discussing that this AM.
Honestly, I do think scale makes a difference in coverage here; I think it would be a big story regardless.
I hope so, anyway.
But the level of response here does bother me; it still seems like pity for those poor benighted heathens in a lot of ways.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:08 pm
We were discussing that this AM.
Honestly, I do think scale makes a difference in coverage here; I think it would be a big story regardless.
I hope so, anyway.
But the level of response here does bother me; it still seems like pity for those poor benighted heathens in a lot of ways.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:08 pm
We were discussing that this AM.
Honestly, I do think scale makes a difference in coverage here; I think it would be a big story regardless.
I hope so, anyway.
But the level of response here does bother me; it still seems like pity for those poor benighted heathens in a lot of ways.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:08 pm
We were discussing that this AM.
Honestly, I do think scale makes a difference in coverage here; I think it would be a big story regardless.
I hope so, anyway.
But the level of response here does bother me; it still seems like pity for those poor benighted heathens in a lot of ways.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:08 pm
We were discussing that this AM.
Honestly, I do think scale makes a difference in coverage here; I think it would be a big story regardless.
I hope so, anyway.
But the level of response here does bother me; it still seems like pity for those poor benighted heathens in a lot of ways.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:08 pm
We were discussing that this AM.
Honestly, I do think scale makes a difference in coverage here; I think it would be a big story regardless.
I hope so, anyway.
But the level of response here does bother me; it still seems like pity for those poor benighted heathens in a lot of ways.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:08 pm
We were discussing that this AM.
Honestly, I do think scale makes a difference in coverage here; I think it would be a big story regardless.
I hope so, anyway.
But the level of response here does bother me; it still seems like pity for those poor benighted heathens in a lot of ways.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:08 pm
We were discussing that this AM.
Honestly, I do think scale makes a difference in coverage here; I think it would be a big story regardless.
I hope so, anyway.
But the level of response here does bother me; it still seems like pity for those poor benighted heathens in a lot of ways.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
“Here are we in the United States,
and here is everything else.”
This reminds me of the upside-down map.
How much more coverage did this disaster get because of the American tourists who died there?
December 28th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
“Here are we in the United States,
and here is everything else.”
This reminds me of the upside-down map.
How much more coverage did this disaster get because of the American tourists who died there?
December 28th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
“Here are we in the United States,
and here is everything else.”
This reminds me of the upside-down map.
How much more coverage did this disaster get because of the American tourists who died there?
December 28th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
“Here are we in the United States,
and here is everything else.”
This reminds me of the upside-down map.
How much more coverage did this disaster get because of the American tourists who died there?
December 28th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
“Here are we in the United States,
and here is everything else.”
This reminds me of the upside-down map.
How much more coverage did this disaster get because of the American tourists who died there?
December 28th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
“Here are we in the United States,
and here is everything else.”
This reminds me of the upside-down map.
How much more coverage did this disaster get because of the American tourists who died there?
December 28th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
“Here are we in the United States,
and here is everything else.”
This reminds me of the upside-down map.
How much more coverage did this disaster get because of the American tourists who died there?
December 28th, 2004 at 4:05 pm
“Here are we in the United States,
and here is everything else.”
This reminds me of the upside-down map.
How much more coverage did this disaster get because of the American tourists who died there?
December 28th, 2004 at 4:00 pm
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
exactly right.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:00 pm
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
exactly right.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:00 pm
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
exactly right.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:00 pm
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
exactly right.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:00 pm
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
exactly right.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:00 pm
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
exactly right.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:00 pm
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
exactly right.
December 28th, 2004 at 4:00 pm
and we have money, like paper towels, to
keep the damp out. I wish I knew if I should cry
exactly right.
December 28th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
::sniff::
Good poem.
December 28th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
::sniff::
Good poem.
December 28th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
::sniff::
Good poem.
December 28th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
::sniff::
Good poem.
December 28th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
::sniff::
Good poem.
December 28th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
::sniff::
Good poem.
December 28th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
::sniff::
Good poem.
December 28th, 2004 at 3:52 pm
::sniff::
Good poem.