Ronald Pelias

Ronald J. Pelias spent most of his career writing books, e.g., The Creative Qualitative Researcher (Routledge), Lessons on Aging and Dying (Routledge), and Writing and Other Familiar Things (Routledge), that call upon the literary as a research strategy. Now in retirement, he writes for the pleasures and frustrations of living in bafflement.

“My Presence,” “A Necessary Exercise,” and “A Quiet Song”

In my argument against nothingness
I get out of bed, assert myself
by going about my day.
My goal, besides making
myself presentable and reasonable enough
no one questions my choice

“Appointments,” “Steps,” and “Last Days”

I wait for the next appointment knowing
it will arrive as another scheduled day
where I’ll put my body in a stranger’s hands.
That person in white will study my numbers,
listen to my heart, press fingers into my flesh
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