Several years ago I worked with a highly intelligent, sophisticated couple who were severely addicted to heroin. Month after month they struggled to stop, but over and over they found themselves “chasing the high” by taking larger amounts of intravenous heroin or scoring smaller amounts just to keep themselves functional. Finally, they left the States and moved to a kibbutz for a year. They went through a difficult and painful withdrawal syndrome but then lived a drug-free but isolated life for over a year.

He shows me the way

A boy in a dog suit

On a scent

Innocent

His marble-sized eyes

Soft brown nougats

Warm Black Crow centers

Anchored in opposing tear drops

At rest

Lying sideways

Between the weight of the world

And a profound sense of loss

He has seen it all

And regrets most of it

Eyes rimmed as if with kohl

It’s a look, a look that cannot be denied

You want to give him everything

You will give him anything,

Anything that will make his tongue come out

And swipe his snout

Or make him sweep the floor with his tail

Call his name

Tell him he’s good

Ask him if he wants food

Ask him if he wants a ride

Tell him Mommy’s coming

Tell him anyone’s coming

For God’s sake just say hello

As Quixote upon seeing a windmill,

He tilts his head

He pumps an eyebrow

He’s ready to follow you

To the ends of the earth or the driveway,

Whichever comes first.

“Mommy, why is that doggie so sad?”

The little girl pumps her mother’s hand,

Her finger wags at Floyd

“He can’t help it,” I say in a sing-song way.

“His eyes are shaped like sadness.

His brows slope down,

Like a seesaw always down.

He always looks this way,

Even when he’s happy

And he’s always happy.

Isn’t that right, Floyd?”

Tilt

Pump

Lick

Wag

Giggle

The little girl runs over and hugs Floyd,

Squeezing his scruff with arms of grace in training.

He looks at me as if to say,

“Is this the ends of the earth or the driveway?”

To say that Featherstone Center for the Arts is a very special place is not enough to describe what it means to so many people.

As I watch the many hearings to discuss how we can make Stop and Shop solve all our traffic problems, I can’t help ask, what is the cause of our traffic in Vineyard Haven and what is the solution? The answer is the Steamship Authority — the elephant in the neighborhood.

A short while ago Dreamland was rented out for a benefit concert featuring Lori McKenna. Our venue was bought out by the host of the concert, and unlike many of our other shows, we transferred all authority over the room to the benefit coordinators. They did an amazing job marketing and promoting the show, put together some outstanding talent and raised money for such an amazing cause.

Living on Martha’s Vineyard is oftentimes a tradeoff. We trade convenience for the unique beauty and sense of place and time this Island offers. Mail takes a day longer to receive, if we’re lucky. Groceries and gas are more expensive. Nothing is open 24-7. Seasonal rent hikes necessitate the Island shuffle for many. There is the summer traffic, lack of parking and the crowds. But whether seasonal or year-round, we all know it’s worth it.

Thank you for the story headlined “They Came, They Saw, They Moved In; Exploring the Vineyard’s Counterculture Roots” by Ivy Ashe, in the August 2 edition of the Vineyard Gazette.

I think your readers will be interested in the following exchange I had with Thomas Bena, the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival, regarding the upcoming showing of Free Angela and All Political Prisoners, a film about Angela Davis.

Over the past few weeks a handful of people have challenged my decision to screen the film Free Angela And All Political Prisoners. They are angered that I would bring in Ms. Davis and invite her to speak afterwards. Some have even withdrawn their financial support of my organization.

Two year ago, a good friend of mine invited me to join her on a trip to the family home on Martha ’s Vineyard. I happily agreed and instantly began envisioning what this Island experience would entail. I was expecting some bluish water and a few pretty little beach houses along a shore.