beautiful day
the corn fields speed past
a van full of clothing

not wanting
the summer night to
                      end

bright lights, noisy streets
a new home
flatness, corn, and quiet

the house is pitch black
dog barks
a single light

pulling at the thread
on my jeans
Monday

midnight . . .
rolling cookies
clever ideas unfold

I miss my family
but I'm glad to be back
here with my friends

crimson sun fading
behind the mountain peaks—
car engine starting

watercolor sky
night breeze drifting in
cuddling up in blankets

one last weekend
my friends will be gone
and so will I

sunning himself on a rock
a turtle slides in the pond
leaving his best friend

cloudless blue skies
two red kites tangled together
stuck in a tree

a professor lecturing
on the importance of active listening
while students daydream

spanish class
dreaming of him
bell rings

eyes are shut
mind is blank and suddenly . . .
falling!

golden brown toast
with peanut butter on top
and a banana

careless smile
replaced by furrowed
brows, glaring at books

cracked like the desert
     no moisture in sight
          my tongue

catching my breath
soaked with sweat
passed my fitness test

training all summer
only one chance to impress
fitness test

the game ends
my jersey soaked and heavy
with sweat

tennis racquets drop
courts dim
time to rest

cross court
cross court again
down the line . . . game

the sun rises
over the mountains
I want to stop but keep moving

crystal blue sky
and an open field
I steal second base

a grimy penny
heads up
good luck

muggy summer night
chubby toddler hands
close around a firefly

the sun shines bright
through my window
morning has come

twirling turning laughing in the sunflower patch

restaurant parking lot
we hug one another
and wish each other well

he touches my ring
skin against skin
butterflies

butterflies flying
dry mouth opening
"I love you."

scalding water
bubbles spiraling to the surface
iced tea in hand

break of day
blinds leak the streaks of sunlight
in the early morning

tans are fading
like smiles
they go beer for beer

paddling away
waves reflect her eyes
no words needed

the tight grip on a
plastic binder—
new kid in schoo

eyelashes fluttering
head bobbing
pen falls from hand

humid afternoon
the lazy hounds notice guests
too tired to bark

on lonely nights
you gently comfort me
no more

the sun sets
over the lake
crickets everywhere

you're so sweaty
did you just come from the gym
nope, biology

too warm for blankets
but i need protection
from the monsters

key turns in the ignition
sweat drops down your back
air comes out hot

the print on her shirt
checkers
I used to play with papa

clear starry nights
sitting around
a dancing campfire