1

the waitress
still knows my middle name
at the diner

2

empty basketball court
my brother's laugh hangs
in the netting

3

September hallway
everyone got taller
I stayed seventeen

4

party cups stacked
the speaker unplugged
alone again

5

new hands wave
from houses we don’t know yet
a fresh start

6

kindergarten gown
baba laughs softly
as the world ends

7

2 a.m. laundry room
someone crying softly
behind the dryers

8

silent bedroom
my phone lighting up
weather alerts

9

snow against the window
typing a message
then deleting it

10

half asleep
the blue glow of the TV
on grandma's face

11

dawn parking lot
frost gathers slowly
on the truck hood

12

bare foot on the mat
bright dojo lights
give me a headache

13

summer dusk—
the screen door slams
before she answers

14

cold dorm hallway
my roommate’s alarm ringing
before sunris

15

parking lot rain
his hoodie still smells like
cigarette smoke

16

coffee going cold
dreams still caught
in my hair

17

I fold your sweatshirt 
leave it by the doorway 
without crying now

18

bare legs on cool sheets
perfume of rain through
the screen window

19

a long drive home
none of it
the same

20

late night drive
a car full of laughter
with nowhere to go

21

crowded main street
everyone waiting
for the winner's name

22

all cards on the table
history is made
grandpa lost

23

dark shadows
on the back porch
our fishing gear

24

early morning
the dog watching birds
through the screen

25

we talk softer now
leaves falling
between our words

26

sunny afternoon
talking basketball with
my late grandfather 

27

sunrise on the farm
fog rolls across the fields 
to tractors in the dew

28

Ding!
blue lit messages
bring us together

29

factory stink
through the front door
hugs and smiles

30

laying our blankets
on cold concrete
cloudy daydreams

31

the home crowd silent
with every kick closer
to the goal

32

multiple snoozed alarms
the same uniform put on
while the bus waits

33

cozy Sunday dinner
plates piled high
with laughter

34

bake sale
butterflies spiral
over green grass

35

friendship bracelets 
real ones
drifting apart

36

quickly, quietly 
a girl runs 
by the corn field

37

small town 
honest Abe
politics as usual

38

bright stars
in the dark blue sky
the silence

39

no patience
big puzzle small pieces
keep going

40

tossing graduation caps
some more glittered
than others

41

bright lights
and a newborn's breath of air
family gathers

42

a knock at the door
the somber faces
of two officers

43

i’ve got your back
up until
you need it

44

hay poles day
fresh baked biscuits
brought to the field

45

big family dinner
a mother
who doesn't feel alone

46

campus parking lot
fast food wrappers blowing
under streetlights

47

late night drive-thru
friends laughing louder
than the radio

48

empty football field
the smell of rain lingers
after the game

49

red traffic lights
reflected in rainwater—
no one speaking

50

old concert ticket
the version of me
who kept it

51

radio jazz
my finger drawing moons
in fogged glass

52

cornfields pass by
and nothing is new
I close my eyes, home

53

days come and
nights come even faster
summer slips away

54

around the bonfire
we laugh until it burns low
just one more story

55

not many close friends 
the few I have
always kept

56

a marshmallow
into the crackling fire
our laughter

57

pink journal
filled with treasures
womanhood in bloom

58

from the second floor
no one can see the old book
under a table leg

59

foot massage
in sync face contortions
tonight’s comedy

60

arm out as far as it reaches
he chooses
the trombone

61

midnight sweat
ruffled covers over 
Tiny toes

62

city stoop
my mother tells
the same old story

63

four friends
race home
a birthday celebration

64

unlabored breaths
a slight sway
of the hammock

65

small town sunset
everyone waves twice
on the backroads

66

grandma’s kitchen
cookie crumbs scattered
across the counter

67

midsummer afternoon
vanilla ice cream
drips down my hand

68

running 
through the park
best time yet

69

Senior sunrise
three friends side by side
like always

70

piano recital
a young boy
looking forward to desert 

71

siblings fight 
over who goes first 
no ice cream for either

72

summer rain
muddy shoes waiting
by the door