screened-in front porch
a moth escapes
into the moonlight
 

alpine wildflowers
one last look
before heading home

scanning the fridge
for a late night snack
the cat's tail

small silver necklace
you found a way
to hand me the moon
 

dressed in white
he lets her
go . . .

snow sticks
to my goggles
skies become clear

sizzling curry
I pour the red hot chili
a taste of home
 

we always find our way
back to each other
turning tides

a text or call away
is sometimes
too far

campus walk
i stop.      to watch
the monarch float
 

I catch
your eye
stranger butterfly

watching the monarch
carry its mate
she takes the long way home

computer losing signal
I see her
begin to cry
 

I can still taste your lips
never enough
of your goodbye kiss

eye contact
across the room
goose bumps

grocery cart
a pink ring around
the child's mouth
 

at the football game
my grandson cheers
for the moon

my chin on her forehead
creak of the rocking chair
marking time

waning sun
cardinals and robins announce
the storm has passed
 

lonely lunch
a sparrow kamikazes
the cafeteria window

a subtle breath
in the December night
her tired wings take flight

warm glow
shines beyond your outline
Himalayan salt lamp
 

that nice girl
you once knew
a shadow of my former self

the pause between
each breath
unmistakable death rattle

a fire roars
all the kindling comes
from her love
 

wrinkly Led Zeppelin shirt
I see you
everywhere I go

a smile
in the corner of my eye
her favorite song

a 20 minute phone call
bad news written
on mom's brow
 

baking cookies
I laugh
at her funny story

grace notes
their delicate function
optional

a stampede
of students in the hall
gunshot
 

I pick up
her pencil
the silence breaks

colored pens on the desk
everyone uses
black or blue

the uninvited hand
on the small of my back
i revolt
 

crisp wind blows
three candles burn
autumn equinox

morning rain . . .
warmth,
found in your arms

morning routine
sidestepping the spot
where the cat used to sleep
 

headlights shining bright
in the afternoon sun
. . . funeral car

a zombie
the sidewalk cicada
with silent wings