long slim needle
meticulous care given
to each little stitch

anticipation grows
along with her belly
first time father

blazing campfire
wehuddleclose
. . . a spark

sand between their toes
waves crashing . . .
he leans in

summer evening
the wind chime . . .
quiet

a cold drizzle
as he packs up the car—
they hug goodbye

red rose
for me
from me

church
blessing
I wear a mark

looks like
Heaven…
cold as Hell

fresh cut grass
father and son
play catch

empty bedroom
memories all around
sisters say good-bye

bouquet of bright daisies
waiting for her
at the altar

midnight beach walk
my footprints bathed
in moonlight

the family's loss
painted in ash
on the fireman's face

candle's flame
illuminates your face . . .
unspoken words

pencil tapping
50 days
to graduation

7th inning stretch . . .
knee on peanut shells,
he proposes

blanket spread
family picnic
for the ants

on the L
pierced punk kid
cradles a child

you get swallowed
by the crowd
last drop from my bottle

Soundtrack to the movie to my life

fresh cut grass
white sandals
stained green

small town
traffic jam
john deere turns right

two tied sneakers
swinging
across the wire

harsh illumination:
flourescents buzzing
a b-flat

warm quilt
she borrows
my sleep

ant infestation—
with each death I utter
a small prayer

rising sun
the fog lifts
crystal clear lake

white beach
colorful sea shells
unoccupied

lonely night
trying to rewind time
with my watch

moonlight—
the trees
put on a puppet show

moving day—
packing this memory
with extra tissue paper

cherry blossoms:
a postcard
from my friend in Japan

lovers emerge
from the trees
caught

mom’s Marlboro’s
exhaling
into sunbeams

on the park bench
she peels her orange
ants picnic

phone ringing
child crying
16th birthday

breeze in my face
chills through my spine
where is summer

dishes pilled up
no one
alone again

water splashing
over a branch
frog’s Niagara

his platform
the old tree stump
first magic tricks

hopscotch
colored rain
slides down the driveway

a couch on the porch,
Spring
 

spring night
there’s a rabbit in the bushes . . .
keeping me company

the smoke
from my cigarette
dances in the sun rays

from the neck of the oak
layers of moss
blanket the bark

delicious breeze
running through my linen skirt
 

around the cove
light is shed
on you

piercing pain
in my chest
. . . cheater!

cool dew
in the morning
first tee

belly up
to the bar
celebrate single's day

grabbing for
one last
escape from reality

I inhale
the embers
lost tonight

we kissed tonight
and I just can’t
remember your name

snowball fight
ready to fire
WHAP!!

sunset over the water
two sets of prints
into the distance

first date
not sure
where to put my hands

tabby cat purrs
the door to Nana's house
shut forever

proudly perched
a crimson robin
suns its wings

between the tree stumps
violets grow wild
 

the old willow
offers shade
as I pick clovers

autumn night
her lips in focus
my eyes gloss over

bartender’s last call…
returning his visa
           twi
                ce

shuffling through a crowd
he s
       t    m
          u     b
                     l
                  e
                      s
                         over a fallen drunk

secluded camping . . .
the crackling fire
surrounded by eyes

alone time
crickets speak
thoughts rush in

local bar
smell of smoke
leaves with you

heart beat
love scene
. . . quickens

homemade card
scribbles of crayon
mother’s day

freshly cut grass
the library swarming
with procrastination

towel wrapped tight
my legs instantly prickle
Son of a BIC

eye contact
no words needed
I see my unicorn

asleep in my arms
numbness
worth the pain

Grandpa's pictures
seeing myself
in his eyes

next to the bonfire
we kiss
hidden in smoke  

Valentine’s day
rose petals
in my bathwater

faceless crowd
my heart pounds
when I see yours

catch of the day
jellyfish
in the sink

bright white lines
I notice
a sunburned back

rain drops
rush into
a rusted drain

nodding off in class
a cherry blossom
brushes the window

walking home
I throw up
morning joggers watch

 summer heat even the beer sweats