leaves fall
and I find myself
missing no one

walk in the park
kicking leaf piles
as I go

the Monarch
lands softly on my shoulder
sensing I need a friend

my cat purrs on my lap
I pet her
and continue to read

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

steady beat of
rap upstairs
faucet drips

facing the dark doorway
into the kitchen
colder

the next morning
sticky cards
scattered on the table

the dishwasher stops
I can hear
a car drive by

TOP half champion

CHAMPION

BOTTOM half champion

popcorn and a movie
isn't the same
without you

can't watch a rom-com anymore
without feeling like
a Loser

you brush back my hair
I brush off the dirt
date reads 2013

my brother tells me
about his girlfriend
I feel old

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

bar at Christmas
dark and warm
jazz band

closing down the bar
no where to go
but home

Standing, I startle
the barista. I empty
the cafe.

hiding
from people I know
Walmart

stones weathered
names read
over and over

seeing you at the door
I remember
your funeral

looking in the mirror
I see a reflection
not mine

through the looking glass
someone
I don't recognize

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

emptying a pumpkin
to make room
for the candle

third floor
the house ghost
follows me there

new betta fish
Are you dead or sleeping?

wicked monster
just a shadow
of my teddy bear

TOP half champion

CHAMPION
 

BOTTOM half champion

alone
gravel crunching
who's there?

old house up the road
I start running
when I pass by

eyes forced open
the tv glow flickers
in the dark

scary movie ends
we leave
the lights on

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

red pool
under the door
it slowly opens

washing her hands
of her sister's blood
trick or treat

in the old barn
a black crow
stares down at me

the crow
looks me in the eye
I shiver