Remind me that the most fertile lands were built by the fires of volcanoes.

I make friends as easily as water freezes in an active volcano. Remember: handshakes feel more natural if you leave your rubber gloves at home. Unless you enjoy networking in public restrooms.

Now for a good twelve-hour sleep, I told myself. Twelve solid hours. Let birds sing, let people go to work. Somewhere out there, a volcano might blow, Israeli commandos might decimate a Palestinian village. I...

The few trees still upright were stripped of their branches, lonely flagpoles without a nation to claim them.

A song she heardOf cold that gathersLike winter’s tongueAmong the shadowsIt rose like blacknessIn the skyThat on volcano’sVomit riseA Stone of ruinFrom burn to chillLike black moonriseHer voice fell still…