1

towers of boxes
no time to take in
one last view

2

photos of friends
on the cinderblock wall
a call from mom

3

three a.m.
hush-a-by
your mother cries

4

why didn’t they tell us
falling out of touch
would be so easy?

5

laughing, stomping, bass
pound from above
vacuuming the ceiling

6

catching up with friends
we watch
the sunrise

7

lemon tea cakes
and veggie pizza
drown my sorrows

8

diet on weekdays
stress eat Saturday
guilt trip Sunday

9

introductions
you have no idea
who I am

10

the path I’ve walked
a thousand times
each step new

11

second year
a classroom
I’ve never seen before

12

late night calls
soon you won’t be
so far away

13

Alice in the rabbit’s den
to find a new world
. . . it’s the same thing

14

your breath
a breeze through my hair
holding hands

15

the worn out blade
used for years
the warrior’s secret

16

taking off the costume
from the stage to home
another mask on

17

call me
love
day and night

18

moths linger
a stomach ache you can’t place
porch light belly button

19

I come to clas
with my mind out of step
from myself

20

your toes curl
around technicolor
elephants

21

morning moon
there is lovely
in all your in-betweens

22

my long hair
still stands out
6 inches shorter

23

I’m sorry email
signed with a heart
starting off strong

24

fading tanlines and
bright colored nails
hanging on to summer

25

tomorrow
is just enough away
to take a nap

26

back to school
the phrase holds
a notable sting

27

first day of school
the perfect outfit
planned for weeks

28

puddles on the ground
clouds in the air
a new band of color

29

velvet horns bloodied 
skin hanging loose  
a new season begins

30

neon lights flashing
chants of my name
waking up in a dorm

31

your delicate finger
traces my leg
3rd degree burns

32

cardboard box
didn’t fit in the trunk
new trash can?

33

coffee taste and 
a brisk walk 
before I’m awake 

34

my sister and I
fighting
over the potato peeler

35

vacuuming away
a years' worth
of unresolved issues

36

shattered glass
a field of daffodils
crinkled paper

37

country backroads
warm sunset against my face
music freeing my mind

38

i return to campus yet again
a new normal
yet again

39

a sea of faces
elevator pitches
pull up your mask please

40

two weeks off
why didn't I say bye
see you soon

41

my last night 
as this personality
a part of me dies

42

friends huddle together
for warmth and conversation
early hibernation

43

too late 
to transfer
taco night

44

fan blades spin
and bring me back to life
modern day Lazarus

45

power cable
at last my world
is complete again

46

dad carries 
the last box
longer stairs

47

eight legs
crawl up the desk
scattered friends

48

Windy City 
filled with music
in the garden

49

prison break
just to realize
you were already free

50

through boxes a path
to a bed
i don’t know

51

electric current
on and off again
we flicker

52

I broke it and yet
I kiss him
one last time

53

mask off
face like a
wench’s ankle

54

your baby blues
my sweaty palms
what are you waiting for?

55

same rocks, but different
girl
who doesn’t dance

56

the smell of mom’s perfume
as she holds me tight
one more time

57

homemade raspberry jam
and warm crepes
happy birthday

58

i see
a dream never-ending
then close my eyes

59

i lie asleep
swirling sounds all
in my head

60

comfortable silence
your breath is chance music
what color is this song to you?

61

whiskey breath
salt-stained cheeks
i still love you

62

nighttime rumbling 
on the tracks 
then a blast of thunder

63

stress behind comfort
where to put home
in a new room

64

heels on sidewalk
cicadas stop chirping
as I walk by

65

the cloth curtain falls
a standing ovation
of pearly whites

66

pouring gold
into the cracks
the accident caused

67

a new person
in the same body
my trump card

68

one more glassy picture
with which to enter
the world

69

no pets allowed
small dogs collectively
sniff the sign

70

maybe this time
the summer sun
won’t dry us into dust

71

walks with you
I don’t care where
we go

72

at least
a stripper won’t need
a college degree

73

stepping on the bus,
she is no longer
the baby I once held

74

broken mirror
my pain
is not love

75

ears of corn
all our bright ideas
seeking fertile ground

76

pH now 4.5 
Hydrangeas slowly 
turn deep blue

77

bowing their heads
even lower
sunflower rain

78

sitting at my desk
mindless chatter
fills time between ticks

79

painted paddles
generations of sisterhood
inscribed on dark oak

80

dwindling virus
scarce masks in the grocery store
ounce of hope

81

dozing off
my notes
as my pillow

82

events that weren’t here
last year.
odd

83

orange and purple vtech
Dora the explorer couch
Dora the explorer game

84

two shots then no masks
two shots back to masks
how many more times