1

nowhere as fun
as where you're
not supposed to be

2

painting on a smile
I laugh and say
what makes them love me

3

constellations
your brushstrokes and mine
in the sky

4

leaves fall
turning to dust
winter’s reaping

5

darling
hush now
the tea is boiling

6

birthday
count down ‘til midnight
to submit an essay

7

shifting eyes
looking at everything but
the homework

8

showing off
for nobody but me
your audience of one

9

speaking freely
hand
not in hand

10

one fork
where there used to be three
a small smile

11

dry heater air
the cold side
of the bed

12

studying together
learning
absolutely nothing

13

train whistle
your eyes take me
everywhere

14

I’m taking it back
taken aback
takin’ a back

15

open door sunset
running
late

16

the world slows to make me
think I can catch up
test day

17

family I know well
calls me names
I don’t remember

18

through the window
the reflection of the moon
in the toilet water

19

trail of slain lovers behind me
maybe
I’m the problem

20

spending the day
in her shoes
blisters

21

4.5 billion years
the Earth has existed
we are but a blip

22

when I grow up
I want to
fill out a change of major form?

23

I wonder
if I’ll have a happy ending
child’s pose

24

I no longer fear
what you’d think of me
phases of the moon

25

get your tickets
they’re going fast
the crickets’ chorus

26

the sexiest
sound around:
saxophonists

27

immortalized by poets
Bach, Beethoven, Brahms
and the autumn breeze

28

don't> look>
at her
(ey) (es)

29

dead men's laughs
the only thing that
keeps me going

30

spectacular performance
from the narcissist
all saints day

31

six feet under
the worms
my confidantes

32

first sip of white wine
ever
legallyish

33

bird call
your train runs through
our tracks

34

ambrosia
dish of the gods
in the back of the fridge

35

still skin on skin
tracing circles 
on your shoulders

36

one night stand
your body angled
like a renaissance painting

37

mistletoe hanging by the front door
we walk into my grandma’s house . . .
not happening

38

the Vietnamese woman
doing my nails . . .
my new best friend.

39

turkey on Thanksgiving
almost as good as
a grandma’s kiss

40

first generation student
my mom explains
I can’t afford trouble

41

I kiss my grandparents
Goodbye
See you next time?

42

my baby girl
shielded from
her skin

43

sundress sleepover
the smell of
rain

44

children unearth
a hidden treasure
worms

45

morning sunshine
paws on my chest
and wet kisses on my face

46

a heavy thud
I expected
something hollow

47

holding your hand
as i accept my role
placeholder

48

touch that lingers
from the person
who never stays

49

whispering the same things
that you told them
temporary high

50

rabbit in the night
resisting the urge
to pretend

51

big gourd
little stem
oh poor vine

52

ink drying
my love letter
crumpled on the ground

53

focusing on my career
the fateful
“u up?”

54

asking for a printer
instead of a pony
a sigh from st. nick

55

new restaurant back home
how did i
grow up too fast

56

rekindling the fire
my match doesn’t strike
your spark

57

1992 Jeep
giving you a ride
*wink*

58

first kiss
i trick myself to think
this finally means something

59

Christmas eve
fighting with your mother
about fucking Ed Sheeran

60

shattered glass
picking up
your pieces

61

after after party
the mirrorball
without light to reflect

62

it’s complicated.
brainsifting
panning for emotions

63

secret ingredient 
was never
in the recipe

64

before
the deep conversation
I take in the view

65

if only
your mother knew
used ABBA album

66

the other side of the blinds
their red solo cups
my cup of tea

67

soggy earth
her hair curls
a mushroom in moss

68

radiator heat
open window breeze
storm front at my desk

69

taking me shopping
again
why can’t we have a real conversation?

70

a cheaper drink
than alcohol
sleep deprivation

71

the elephant in the room
doesn’t go out;
people just ignore him

72

shiny
jingly
lanyard

73

sing us a song,
you’re the piano man—
it’s your job

74

I only wake
to set the next alarm
snooze

75

in your arms
the old factory
returns my smell

76

squirrel skitters on stones
I distract him
with mindless chatter

77

Mom’s hand
finds my heart
vicks vaporub

78

carved turkey
on a paper cutting board
we give thanks

79

turtle shell
my gender is not
a costume

80

candle light
someday
out of passion

81

splatter paint
no island
is without its history

82

moonlight illuminates the frost
chess board
your move

83

January wedding
ex-boyfriend
kisses his new wife

84

sheer stockings rolled down
moonlight creeps in
bathing her bare skin

85

lavender eyes
you sip your tea
like god made the oceans

86

shadowed by you
step out
into the street

87

brick by brick
the phone ringing
through stark halls

88

fresh hair cut
your phantom curls
at my cheek

89

tuck us in
chrysalis
let’s grow together

90

laying in the grass
outside The Woods
a packet of Plan B

91

shark bleeds
in the fishing trap
communion wine

92

whatwillifind in yourhemisphere

93

I reach the summit
of Aspen
breathless

94

new moon
dust settles
on the horizon

95

out of body
experience
I slap myself

96

names waiting
to be replaced
by someone better

97

tap through puddles
splash
on the rest of us

98

learning the curves
of your waist
Fibonacci sequence

99

forgiving you like
chewing on tinfoil
chocolate coins

101

lone drive to idaho
dream catcher on the rearview
hasn’t caught a thing

102

a change in her eyes
unknown underwear
on the ground

103

autumn sunset 
blasts of orange and pink 
rotten ozone layer 

104

plants gathered on the dresser
do they know?
they’re keeping me alive

105

large fall leaves
brush against my hair
a gentle giant's hand

106

self help book
quite useful
as a coaster for my wine

107

gazing in those eyes
knowing one day
I’ll watch them shut

108

clothes hair shoes coat go

109

strawberry chapstick
smeared
bare chest

110

no meaning
I know, but
we all dream . . .

111

my List grows longer
I choose . . .
The Office

112

hands bruised
a battle with imaginary germs
under the sink

113

crack in the floor
boarding
the next flight home

114

am i beautiful?
will he touch
my lower back?

115

a crooked hand
the covers
pulled tightly around you

116

grab my hand in the dark
fireflies
light the path home

117

118

upcoming auction 
my photographer
tells me to hold still