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

broken guitar string
sits in a trash can
without its note

stage lights
thousands cheer for an encore

Rachel Perry

Hometown

mother’s eyes
still watch me-                                 SK
many more wrinkles

sleeping peacefully                          LK
the folds of her sheets
my childhood companion

limps as she greets me                     JK
the beige pug

two cups of coffee                           SK
we exchange smiles over the newspapers
out in the garden

she bends over her roses                 LK
peering through the drapes
a hug goodbye

I watch her dress in the breeze        JK
as she walks away

Scene From a Park Bench

new green grass
chubby baby                                 MF
holds my thumb tightly

     sports car drives by                  SK
     just off the lot

radio blaring
Janice and I                                  MF
sign about leaving men

gawking pedestrian
almost steps                                 SK
in the wet cement

     little hands                               MF
     trying to fill marilyn monroe’s

the couple laughs
their cheeks glowing                     SK
first date

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

sweatpants
sweatshirt
still shivering

broken heater
taking notes with gloved hand

professor’s breath
muffled
by earmuffs

snow keeps falling
beyond the glass
no snow-days in college

moving snowmen
once were students

Bailey’s and coffee
warm welcome home
ignoring all obligations

Brock Peoples & Michelle Deterding

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

Brew

early morning                                   K
coffee
keeps me awake

bitter-sweet                                       D
it opens my eyes

outside                                             K
coffee mug
warms my hands

dark scent                                         D
reminds me
of mom's favorite

brewing                                            K
the pot fills slowly

stale taste                                          D
unknown
too hot

Last Friday

empty tables                                D
early in the night
college pub

leaning on the bar                        K
waiting for the next round

medium rare                                A
the raw meat
inhaled

cigarette smoke                           D
dwelling in my hair

candle on the table                      K
flickering
in your eyes

talking on the phone                   A
waiting for the results