Article Archives: Words with Woods

To My Unknown Friend

May 4, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

“How did you let this happen to you?” The kindly worker at the Post Office near Shortridge and 10th streets smiled at me and turned away, chuckling under her breath. I had visited the station earlier in the day and a series of unfortunate incidents had made it necessary for … Read More

Hop-A-Long

April 27, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

This column first appeared in May 2018. Crossing a busy street, I got trapped in the center lane by the rush of cars on both sides of me. I waited in the middle, looking for opportunities to complete my passage. One car slowed, stopped; a man waved at me, inviting … Read More

Like Water For Dogs

April 20, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

From my front-room window I could see the old black dog as it stopped to lap water from the bowls at the edge of my lawn. Kobe was at the end of a short leash, which was controlled by his owner. I was glad to see the two of them. … Read More

Trash Man

April 13, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

My granddaughter Myah was sitting with me in the great chair her mother had bought for me, slowly unwrapping a Reese’s miniature peanut butter cup, the chocolate that is one of our indulgences. We were watching a YouTube Kids’ video on my iPad, and 4.10-year-old Myah, without looking at me, … Read More

The Poetry of April

April 6, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

“Who are your favorite poets?” Ethel Winslow, the Editor-in-Chief of The Weekly View, put that question to me during a conversation about National Poetry Month. As is likely, lately, my memory seized up, but I managed to squeeze out Randall Jarrell. Ethel immediately cited “Death Of The Ball Turret Gunner” … Read More