1

monkey brain
focus on
the breath

2

empty tea can
sakura blooms
in two dimensions

3

leaving at last
my key
sticks in the lock

4

a suit, a dress
changing clothes
without changing bodies

5

first year students
making friends with
their closed doors

6

itchy eye
smudged glasses
lens cleaner

7

a baptism into womanhood
she cried out
blood!

8

chicken noodle
the smell of home
as he destroys it

9

sunset drive
if I flicker and burn
will you look at me

10

hey, what if . . .
i write you a love letter
in crayon

11

every man I see must
be in love with me, I swear
thirteen

12

then the world fell apart
we held our breath
as we watched

13

his smile
disappeared
under the respirator

14

setting sun
an extra mile
to run

15

pure mathematics—
understood in hindsight
imaginary still

16

back to school again
things didn't go as I planned
senior year is here

17

stuck in a roundabout
they all freeze
this wifi sucks

18

three generations
at the kitchen table
holding hands is enough

19

small world
a universe with stars
and blackholes

20

skip-bo could be fun
I'll have to wait and find out
going with the flow

21

paws jump on my back
a small meow in my ear
a needed cat nap

22

packing for college
a pause
to enjoy the backyard pool

23

a chocolate pride parade
in our homemade challah
papa's essence

24

it's already August
so many things
I didn't get done

25

go inside, march
go outside
september

26

virus
is it a question
of if or when

27

pandemic
fight the fire
with a garden hose

28

3 different stores
the essential supply
a Lightning McQueen backpack

29

spring break
k bye cya
longer than expected

30

black cold sky
a heavy parka until
the sky turns pink

31

her eyes jade eyes
reflect into me
hippopotamus

32

he watches me
fitfully sleeping
with cardboard eyes

33

lain on pillows
a dragon rests
hoarding her treasure

34

first day countdown
now
back to who I "am"

35

wiggling caterpillar
still
in her hands

36

i sit in the back seat
watching as mountains
turn into mole hills

37

tufts of fur
the house is quiet
without a dog

38

waiting to wear
your leather blazer
waiting to grow into it

39

cigarette perfume
stains a page
older than myself

40

I see your eyes crinkle
but your mouth is a mystery
under your mask

41

how strange
to feel naked
with my face hidden

42

I see him on a screen
I want him
in my arms

43

spotted from afar
they run but stop
air hugs

44

suburban sunset walk
with Mother
swatting mosquitoes

45

masks up!
protestors scream
i can't breathe

46

the dogs are happier
now that we are
home more

47

problems of morality
solved
pizza and cheese bread

48

little stars
dance above grass
you'll miss them soon

49

grandma's namesake
lily blooms
above her casket

50

the missing piece
dad's favorite mug
glued together

51

Indian Summer
the warm air
lies

52

he hands her
the remote
the pout disappears

53

subtle lights
and a constant whisper.
I sleep

54

body heat warms
a cold, vacant chair
quiet chatter

55

storm of anger
to peace and cheers
Pastorale

56

empty nest
entering
the unknown

57

smiling faces
hidden
to keep us safe

58

there she sits
on her throne
Queen of Pesticides

59

sneakers laced up
Fitbit blinks on
have to keep going

60

friends family and faith
surround me
I am a woman

61

falling leaves
a curtain
at the end of an act

62

concrete steps
the porch light
replaces the sun

63

spotlights taken
while tech crew
toils to death

64

eyes closed, yearning
for
bbq ribs

65

she rose from her body
all at once
a woman, I guess

66

walking empty halls
the only voice is
mine

67

unpacking boxes
stacked, unstacked
and then they leave.

68

dusty journal
words overflow
like blood from old wounds

69

dearest neighbor
wear your mask or I will break
your windows

70

six feet of space
farther
than you think

71

such patience!
her marshmallow slowly
                           turns
                          brown

72

bonfire flickers
embers glow red
burnt marshmallow on my tongue