  We investigate the microwave absorption arising from inhomogeneity in the
superfluid density of a model high-T_c superconductor. Such inhomogeneities may
arise from a wide variety of sources, including quenched random disorder and
static charge density waves such as stripes. We show that both mechanisms will
inevitably produce additional absorption at finite frequencies. We present
simple model calculations for this extra absorption, and discuss applications
to other transport properties in high-T_c materials. Finally, we discuss the
connection of these predictions to recent measurements by Corson et al. of
absorption by the high-temperature superconductor BSCCO in the THz frequency
regime.
