When I met and fell in love with my charming, fascinating, creative ex-husband, I never saw the addict. We came together as poet and painter, with great passion for our respective gifts and for each other. It would be six months before I would begin to suspect that this exciting roller coaster ride of joint inspiration and creativity came with “another woman”—Lady Crack Cocaine. ...more

From Publisher Bob David:

Around 1970, the author of this article seized an opportunity to kill a man who he was sure was intent on killing him. He was convicted of first-degree murder and given a life sentence.

Despite this glaring truth, Wilfredo grew to earn the sincere respect of all who knew him during his long incarceration. ...more

“I realized while I was away I married you just because I thought you’d make a good officer’s wife. I never loved you. I’m leaving.” ...more

The return of Johnny the buck last fall gave me four pregnant does this spring. The expectant mamas: Baraka, Mocha Swirl (Baraka’s kid of last season), Yasmina, and Joey. They were all due around the second week of April; I was headed to Haiti for a six-day film shoot,* planning to return in time for their births. ...more

After 13 years of seeing each other only occasionally, I couldn't understand at first what Jerry's brother was doing in my living room, nor could I comprehend what he was saying. "Jerry… accident… hospital… not good.” I listened again, harder. There had been an accident, and the man I loved was now in a coma. We had often kidded about who would die first; I always made him promise to let me be the one. The truth was, I couldn't see a future without him. And now here I was, being told he might be dying. ...more

You set me to sail, beyond the banks of the usual challenges, daily demands, and paltry appreciations. I prefer terra firma but lately I’ve been dreaming of sailing—gliding effortlessly out from the safety of my ordinary harbor. Trouble is, I don’t know if my provisions match the demands of a rigorous sea. Calm waters could swiftly turn ugly and I’m not an experienced mariner. I don’t even know the fore from the aft, nor how to navigate with only the sun and stars. Instead, I will steer toward you as my only point of reference. ...more

Went several days last week without tears, then came upon Rosie’s straw hat hanging by the front door. What is it about hats?? Went a couple of days more and came upon a pair of socks she’d worn while in Mexico and rubbed them on my cheek. I light a candle for her at night—I forget sometimes and feel guilty. I feel ok sometimes and feel guilty about that. I know Rosie would think me foolish. ...more