• Research and write a 25-page paper on images of female power for my Cultural Studies class.
• Write a 3-page paper on my poetic influences for my Poetry Workshop.
• Revise five poems.
• Attend several classmates' thesis readings.
  

"During the time of dinosaurs, all mammals were nocturnal. It wasn't until the extinction of the great reptiles that small fur-covered creatures felt safe being out during the day."

"Watershed"
By Barbara Kingsolver

Outside, coyotes wail
like orphaned children, the moon
their old tin photograph of home.
In other mountains like these, there is war.

Your eyes swim quick strokes
in sealed wet caves whose mouths
are tattooed with dreams. I wonder
if I'm there with you,
if, when your breath snags on acacia claws
and then pulls free, you are telling some truth
that could save us, that tomorrow will be
perfectly gone, a blueprint drawn on water.

Your sleep, and the coyotes
will quiet soon. The world might end
or begin. There are two good hours till dawn.

Insomnia was once the thief I hated,
tucking tomorrow's triumphs in his pockets.
But after these years I am easing myself out
of triumphant ambitions,
that bath has grown too cold.

I can lie here in the watershed
of your sleep, instead,
watching dreams pass under
the perfect ivory aquaduct of your bones.
Had I slept, it would only have been another hour
in which you were lost to me.

Kalispell Barbie: This modern day homemaker Barbie is available with a Mercedes 4WD SUV, a Prada handbag and matching Nike Yoga ensemble. She has a masters degree and double-majored, but has the luxury of being a stay-at-home mom with Ken's generous salary. Comes with Percocet prescription and Botox. Starbucks mug and traffic-jamming Blackberry internet/cell phone device sold separately. Husband Ken is into fishing, golfing, baseball and is often "working late." Available at all Seattle-area Starbucks retailers.

Bozeman Barbie: This princess Barbie is only sold at Nordstrom. She comes with an assortment of Kate Spade handbags, your choice of a BMW convertible or Hummer H2 and a long-haired foreign lapdog named "Honey." Also available is her cookie-cutter development dream house. Available with or without tummy tuck, facelift, and breast augmentation. Workaholic, cheating husband, Ken, comes with a Porsche.

Butte Barbie: This recently paroled Barbie comes with a 9mm handgun, switchblade, '78 El Camino with dark tinted windows, and a meth lab kit. This model is available only after dark and can only be purchased with cash - preferably small bills, unless you're a cop, then we don't know what you're talking about. Boyfriend Ken is in jail. Available at many pawn shops.

Great Falls Barbie: This tobacco chewing, brassy-haired Barbie comes with a pair of high-heeled sandals with one broken heel from the time she chased Beer Gut Ken out of Auburn Barbie's trailer. Her ensemble includes low-rise acid-washed jeans, fake fingernails, strawberry lip gloss and a see-through halter top. Purchase her Mustang convertible separately and get a Confederate flag bumper sticker absolutely free. Boyfriend Ken is in treatment. Available at Army Navy Surplus.

Havre Barbie: This pale model comes dressed in her own Wrangler jeans 2 sizes too small, steel-toed cowboy boots, a classic Metallica 'T' shirt and a Tweety Bird tattoo on her shoulder. She has fake fingernails, a six pack of Budweiser, and a Hank Williams, Jr. CD set. She can spit over a distance of 6 feet and kick mullet-haired Ken's ass when she is drunk. Also available is the gold-toned cubic zirconium ring that Ken gave her after another one of his "episodes" with his boss's daughter. Comes with Barbie's Dream Double Wide Trailer. Available at Wal-Mart.

Missoula Barbie: This Barbie is made out of recycled plastic and tofu. She has long straight brown hair, archless feet, hairy armpits, no make-up, and Birkenstocks with white socks. She does not want, or need, a Ken doll. If you purchase the optional Subaru wagon, you will receive a free rainbow flag sticker. Available at REI.

Helena Barbie: This versatile doll can be easily converted from Barbie to Ken by simply adding or removing snap on parts. Walks to work. Likes to "experiment," but will never commit. This model is being phased out and is only available from the manufacturer.