s
      t
       e
      a
    m   rises
    four misty faces relax
and relive the day's memories

beer in the fridge
I try to do
my homework

topless
I put my beads around
the rear view mirror

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

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

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

through the steam of the jacuzzi
and the leaves of the palm tree
orion's belt glimmering

          LOVE

ng      love at first sight
          hidden beauty
          now revealed

lp       romantic melodies flow
          as nature blossoms

ng       the alarm sounds
          blankets move
          he awakens to a kiss

lp       a serious look @
          hand in hand
          the essence of his voice

ng      teary eyes
          stressful nights

lp       happiness
          the afternoon sunshine
          beams on the wedding

          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

cool air                          SF
the beach—
beautiful

descriptions create        DC
vivid images

water crashes                SF
against
the boulders

I can almost                  DC
picture myself
—there

photographs                  SF
remind me

boulders                       DC
saltwater
I dream of returning

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

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

patches of green grass
my breath
still visible

temperatures suddenly dropping
flowers still trying to bloom

the year's final frost
covering the rose bushes
with mulch

peeping from the dirt
white tulips

more than before
yellow daffodils
along the wooden fence

pant legs rolled up
basket of strawberries

calm blue water--
the sky grows dark
his reflection slowly fades            jm

water lillies dance
in the cool breeze                          aw

distant lightning flashes
a robin
retreats into the woods                  jm

silence all around:
calm before the storm                   aw

violent wind:
the boat begins to sway                jm

leaves tumble
ripples on water
purple sky                                    aw

Green grass
White picket fence
A robin feeds the young           JDM

Sun beats down…
Chorus of chirping                    JTM

The nearby pond
Frogs splash
To remind us of spring             JMM

Clouds cover the sun
Complete darkness                    JDM

In the distance
Chainsaws
Ransack the forest                     JTM

Dad's pickup bounces
through potholes in the lane      JMM

friends in public
smiles stiff                         BM
like unbending heart

yesterday's hurts
now grudges                      SF
held tight

constant quarrels
left unresolved                   DT
pain along with tears

moving on
to the next level                  BM
of self deception

burdens
turn to confessions             SF
freedom is near

at last the time
has finally come                 DT
for it to start again

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

kitchen concert
hands unaccustomed                     BM
strumming slowly

doors shutting                               AB
roommates not amused

uneven melodies
breaking silence                            BM
of winter writers block

cold breezes make wishes             AB
of tunes like the Macarena

distraction found in
friendly conversation                    BM
and late night pizza delivery

lack of appetites                            AB
proves for a farewell goodnight