1

sun through branches
my shadow breaks apart
on the path

2

worn out barn
a mouse makes its nest
in the stacked hay

3

gravel under my feet
corn at my sides
no building in sight

4

fence lines go forever
the unmistakable smell
of cows

5

rapid breaths
one final big push
cries of life

6

pair of dogs pull
woman falling to the ground
laughing it off

7

peaceful walk
if only for a moment
life is good

8

traffic light
even the birds
wait

9

passing dog
its leash pulls tight
at a squirrel

10

crosswalk turns
blackbirds scatter
before the cars

11

abandoned football field 
a marching ant  
scores a touchdown 

12

yellow bus 
the smell of leather seats
school starts again 

13

the parade 
of sailors coming home 
waiting for dad 

14

wind runs with the river
teeth of my zipper
stay closed

15

after rain
bicycle tires
sign the sidewalks

16

watching the kids
go down the slide
their endless laughs

17

crisp cool air 
every breath feels clean 
a fresh start

18

no place to be 
I walk a little slower 
with the breeze

19

lights left buzzing  
on the baseball field 
rained out 

20

I see wildflowers
in the field
count them till I fall asleep

21

it is rainy
why can’t it be warm
look at all the worms

22

numb fingers
I count my steps
to stay warm

23

first warm breeze—
the puddle remembers
the flood

24

12 am
crashing noises
4 raccoons

25

chill morning air
a squirrel pauses halfway
up the oak

26

early light
the words I rehearsed
don’t matter now

27

lights left strung
sad and unlit
this dark night

28

walking alone
the woods listen
without answering

29

walk to the creek
crawdads crawl the bottom
red shells

30

cars in line
dirt smeared
headlights shine

31

rain drops trickle
down trees
little waterfalls

32

walking the wrong way
people blur as i stroll by
doing my own thing

33

birds argue 
branches bounce around
squirrel wing

34

sun warms my back 
wandering feet on the trail
quiet my mind

35

still water
something tugs
on the pole

36

in the school bathroom
she hides who
she used to be

37

empty playground
a swing keeps moving
after the bell

38

country road
dead deer
surrounded by friends

39

door creaks
grandma's loud TV
starts a conversation

40

swings clank
children giggle
kicking rocks

41

fallen leaf
the ant changes course
around it

42

waiting room
the magazine pages
stick together

43

morning dew  
shadows across the course  
cold club in hand

44

quiet afternoon
I sit longer than planned
doing nothing

45

deer at the treeline
we pause at the same moment
then both look away

46

frozen trail
my breath walks ahead
then disappears

47

a thumping tail 
and a small whimper
he just wants one piece

48

grandpa’s words like 
rain on a tin barn roof 
everyone listens

49

write your number
on the back of a receipt
lost to the wind

50

bankruptcy filed
no nurse
changes my bandages

51

cat’s rival
lies dormant
beyond the fence

52

returning home
a small “friend” appears
chirping and trilling

53

late night drive
songs let memories
creep in

54

in a back alley
one match left
split between us

55

unusually warm
grass still slightly green
middle of winter

56

sunny park bench
coffee cools
in a paper cup

57

tall weeds 
the past less traveled 
always unwanted

58

empty beer can 
on the sidewalk  
a remanent of the party

59

hospital hallway
the vending machine
hums all night

60

on the trail
a common path travelled
by familiar faces

61

forever young
fooling around on swings
like young lovers

62

playground closed
a ball rolls
stuck in the fence
until tomorrow

63

red bandage
on my arm
the nurse makes it white