toad in the mud
catching sun
in nearby creek

dragonfly's humming
distracts a fisherman

ripples in the water
caused by the wind
insects rest on the water

children audible in the distance
fisherman undistracted

soil eroding on the bank
fish wait
to catch a falling worm

fisherman
out of luck

Joe Kramp

unwelcome

lightning flash                                   es
warms rain falls
on my shoulders

     birds bathe                                  cs
     in small puddles

dirt from the window pane                 es
rushes down the siding 
yellow sky

     familiar buzz                                 cs
     mosquitoes take flight

slap on the neck                               cs
retreat through
the screen door

     evening quiet broken                   es
     cicadas and smoke

Eric & Carol Sharp

Simple Song

the wind                                    M.C.
an interruption
yet the radio blares

lyrics of nature                           A.S.
prove their worth

hanging                                     J.C.
the words
blowing on the clothesline

should I consider…                   M.C.
the person without.

this gift                                      A.S.
I take for granted
sweet sound

gentle breeze                            J.C.
I’m home.

Jennifer & Michelle Clements & Amanda Skylas

Journey

long walk                                  M.C.
from above
shining Moon

midnight fog                              J.C.
hovering

the thought                               M.C.
contained
light through darkness

coated twinkling                         J.C.
struggling to change

a smile                                       M.C.
the moon knows
a brighter outlook

skipping faster                            J.C.
the sun begins to rise.

Jennifer & Michelle Clements

Loving Father

sound asleep—
he walks over
kissing my forehead

     father leaves
     silently closing the door

pleasant dreams—
a smile
falls upon my face

tucked in
feeling safe
eyes half open

     falling back to sleep
     with a sweet memory

morning rises—
I awake
to a feeling of love

Matt Eichhorn

Running on the beach                   Krista
The tide washes away
My previous footsteps

The salty air                                   AJ
Refreshes my memory
Of childhood vacations

The sun warms my back                Kristin
While the breeze
Dances along it

Purple and pink                             Krista
Paint the sky
And end my sunny days

I dig my toes                                  AJ
In the sand
To watch the sunset

The day is over                              Kristin
Yet the night
Has only begun

Krista Duffet, Kristin Card & AJ Cunningham

foggy morning--
walking the tracks
to her house

rabbit on the path
fur wet with dew

afternoon by the lake
tossing the apple core
to the ants

warming sunshine
zipper on my coat
won't budge

speeding down the bike trail
sunset sparkles on the river

dwindling light
the deer graze
outside my window

Kathy Walsh and Natalie Kussart

broken guitar string
sits in a trash can
without its note

stage lights
thousands cheer for an encore

Rachel Perry

FLASHBACK

the airplane lifts off
powered by
our anticipation

       rolling clouds
       blanket of sunshine

the guy with the earmuffs
tosses my baggage
to the back of my mind

       quiet motor hums
       peaceful thoughts
       embraced by stars

last hand with cards
I'm the asshole

       cookout with neighbors
       have a few drinks…
       have a few more

Maggie Hart, Erin Crow & Tonya Parrish

SLUMBER PARTY

massive giggles
ten little girls
with pillows

movie playing
no one watching

truth or dare
I slowly dial
my crush

matching pj’s
we braid our hair

pop, pop, pop!
snacks
in the microwave

sun coming up
still no sleeping

Alexis Iffert & mother & sister

moonlit porch
her dark hair
the scent of roses

pulling me in
a beacon to my senses

beacon of light
showering my love
forever my light

glittering jewel
reflecting our love

a whispered "yes"
our future
blossoms

gently swinging
her head on my shoulder

Brock Peoples, Ann Steel & Michelle Deterding

Path of Thorns

sometimes I wander
lost in metaphorical fog
waiting for someone to save me

drowning in
a raging current

storms untamed
the lightening strikes
and burns my skin

hidden behind a solid brick
wall of silence

surrounded by demons
monsters of the mind
are worse than death

tired of waiting for a hero
I must rescue myself

Angie Williams & her sister and cousin

Endings

speeding car
sudden thud
squirrel for dinner

throwing flowers
on the lowering casket

one single swish
my goldfish
buried at sea

falling on the jump
crashing down
with her dreams

squeal of tires
he hits the tree

last church bell
tolls midnight
shadow under trees

Alexis Iffert and Meg Schleppenbach

6AM

lined with tinsel
twinkling lights
the angel watches over

       presents crowd the room
       anxious eyes sneak a peek

handprint
frost covered window
disrupted

       too many presents
       where to begin?

toddlers attack
the remains…
trails of crinkled paper

       dad's tool box awaits
       some assembly required

Maggie Hart, Eric Crow & Tonya Parrish

          BREAKAGE

jm      deep concentration
          the cue ball swiftly rolls
          the silence breaks

ng      the broken glass vase
          a colorful running waterfall

lp       a sounding collision
          a swiftly moving wrecking ball
          the structure is abstract

jm      the sky darkens
          clouds part

ng      gentle hands
          tender fingertips
          brittle hairs

lp       the bitter temperature
          splitting lips

Nikki Garry

March 9th, 2002

The moment of your lifetime
Right in front of you
With one simple word

Down on his knees
Tears roll down his cheeks

A camera hidden
The flash surprises me
As I spin around in circles

Four simple words
Complete silence fills the room
Staring in each others eyes

Holding each other…….hours upon hours
Hoping our time will never end

A smile and one simple word
Sharing our lives together forever

Gia Drouzas