hot summer day
my dog licks the sweat
from a glass

midnight howls
all together
leader of the pack

wet green leaves 
blowing west
I watch from my desk 

justice
just us
picking up the pieces

clear blue ocean
how do I continue loving something
both beautiful and cold

sweet mint
the chocolate we love
kids running

cat purring
on mother’s stomach
children asleep

hot summer night
what he whispers to her
makes her feel cold

magic show
a child filled with doubt
pretends to believe

winter storm
looking over the mountains
he finds love

always polite
always kind
outside

raven
searching for those
without a partner

two boys missing
from the sixth-grade classroom
skipping stones

looking at the sky
she always feels so small
when he speaks

her father’s silence
after coming home past curfew
loud and clear

dark
light
dark

drips of melanin
chocolate of some sort
the sweetest rain

crossing a street
his hand tightens on mine
i am whole

big red barn
i climb the ladder
new kittens born

my brother's face
a new baby
smiles like him

old woman in bed
my father in scrubs
pulls off her toe

running to mom
tears streaming
a chicken follows close behind

family reunion
grandpa's dog
snaps my tiny hand

a game of tag
my new best friend
the sheep

parked car
sitting on the hood they look out
the sun moves down

play practice
she doesn’t want to be quiet anymore
the girl called shy

with no proof of scars
he doubts
until the hands appear

tired eyes
I want to tell her to rest her head but
she doesn’t trust my driving

I feel what I cannot see
rushing winds
of peace

counting breaths
i realize
my thoughts are kind

trying to catch my breath
distances ahead
where my next breath lies

fresh flowers
placed by a stranger
sitting by your grave

running fast
in the outdoor breeze
summer is near

one star to freedom
north
where opportunity waits

tree roots of coiled hair
untouchable
for fear of the unknown

traditional
chicken
Buffalo Wild Wings

surrounded by friends
in leotards
my twisted leg