i can feel the sun
on your lips
even after the ice storm

five in the morning
another pot of coffee
procrastination

torn and frayed jean shorts
and a sweaty cotton t-shirt
music in my veins

queen bed
made for two
only me

head in the clouds
staring at the words
retaining nothing

she always said
"That would never
happen to me."

laying in bed
waiting for you to come home
everlasting

had no idea
how much I would miss
"Have a good day at school!"

candy hearts
and paper kisses
newfound butterflies

my only friend
we always talk
through the mirror

like a shadow
she haunts my every move
who is this woman in the mirror?

looking in the mirror
my reflection
winks at me

deep brown eyes
the brush of soft skin
nuzzle

one last breath
running start
"cannonball!"

down my brow
on to my lips
salty

spending all my money
on Taco Bell
college

two weeks
pile of clothes
empty closet

laziness
movies all day
surrounded by friends

crab, rat, cancer
stubborn in all signs—
no I'm not

weed starts to bloom
an invitation to stay
for awhile

delicate pearls
black and white
a night to remember

trembling hands
her shadow    swallowed
by the hall

flipping through channels
five whole seconds
of Die Hard

painting my face
is there cover up
for the inside?

jogging, sprinting
in a line
with the team

the sweet child's hand
never leaves mine,
attention she never gets

looking down
at the still woman in the road
i'm missing an earring

statue in a hurricane
sanctuary in the
silence

reaching out
to save me from my darkness
a simple smile

the infamous meal
once again—
mac n' cheese

treading water constantly
they tell me to learn
how to breathe underwater

2 am printer jam
paper due at 8 am
ah, there you are Millikin

saturday night lights.
the victory is
sweeter than Cherry Berry

anticipation mountain-high
first glimpse
deafening roar

she stole my heart
then she stole
my sweater

visible breath
but the city lights
keep us warm

shirt sleeves
stick to sweaty biceps
one more rep

sweet honey water
on the tip of my tongue
dizziness follows

the light fades
silence
she's gone

in the shower drain
a clump of blond hair—
my hair is brown

studying sucks
everyone's interruptions
taking my focus

she squeezes my finger
and looks at me
with her mother's eyes

the gloss of the floor
reflects my dreams
a game

college is
wearing pajamas all day
adulthood?

8 AM
good thing
I can rock these PJ's

I long for arms
I don't, yet, know
alone

small hour talk
   we only forget to say
      goodbye

I live alone
a slight chill
her soft voice

hearing your voice
better than hiding
behind the screen

by the light
of the moon
an eternal gaze

a year of silence then
our eyes exchange
those 3 little words

little girl, temporarily free
Grandma sticks out her tongue
to taste the snowflakes

a dim night
we're all alone
at the duck pond

"ily"
                   "ily 2"
—modern love letter

footsteps sink
into wet sand
no words     only waves

airport—
on tiptoes looking for his face
first glimpse in months

touching the piece of you
around my neck
brings us a little closer

midnight drive
moonlight
keeps me awake

not ashamed
I have listened to and loved
Nickelback

the crunch
underneath my feet
time for a snow angel

a healthy meal
screw it
Ramen noodles again

roses are grey
violets are grey
I am a dog

snakes in my pocket
knotted tightly together
hear them call to us