The Beach

Dad loads up the car
as the family jumps in
vacation-bound

         sun hits the water
         children smile

reflections
of the past
new memories created

         warm sand
         family joy
         as dad leads the way

tide washes ashore
while their castle is being built

         photographs taken
         fun
         captured in time

Josh & Chastity Lane

         SUMMER BREAK

summer night
kids playing
in the rain

         as it beats down to earth
         rainbows forming

oil floating on
puddles in the road
birds singing

         the splash of cars
         as they pass by
         children laughing

the mosquitoes are out
with the fireflies

         June bugs dance
         on the screen door
         mother looks on

Josh Lane & Glen Sims

         The Journey

on cool dark nights
beds give heavenly sleep
dreams come alive

         nightlight brightens
         corner of the world

warm sheepskin
protects the soul
fears are put to rest

         imagination open wide
         anything possible

feathers cushion
night traveler’s
journey

         safely home
         cool morning

Jenifer Hagen & daugher, Ally

         Seasons

early spring
much anticipated arrival
little girl with grandmother’s eye

         promise of wonders
         yet to come

enless daisies
little pink gloves
a summer garden

         days grow shorter
         memories tucked away
         like leaves falling

grandmother’s eyes
glowing brightly

         a young girl’s dreams
         each unique
         snowflakes on her glove

Jenifer Hagen & Willa Heath

         Untitled Rengay

lightning bug
         caught in a web
in the woods

         snake sunning
         on a rock

a cool breeze—
         blows through the trees
the leaves rustle

         a small brook
         almost dry

deer trails . . .
like highways
through the tall weeds

         thunderclouds roll in
         as the sun sets

Glen Sims & family

         Whales

we board the boat
waves gently slap the sides
gulls cry

         she swallows the pill
         fearing sickness

in the distance
a plume of steam
the mighty fish breathes

         seas churn
         the whale breaches

fear forgotten
we are in awe
the giant flies

         flukes sink in the water
         sea empty again

Doug & Willa Heath

         Life’s Progression

gazing at long cornrows
mother envisions
elaborate designs

         tiny beads
         show colors of the rainbow

rain pouring down
trudging through muddy fields
in tall rows of corn

         swatting mosquitos
         tired weary hands

showing signs of aging
she massages the tender knots
reflecting years gone by

         the rocker creeks softly
         as she doses off

Dee Wood & Marcia Gordon

         The Cycle of Life

thunder and lightening
whisper secrets
through an empty house

         cubbards hold plates
         from a past life

hanging swing
whirls as
memories unfold

         in the attic
         faded pictures
         of a childhood lost

the smell of abandonment
seeps through the woodwork

         the sound of footsteps
         deadbolt turns
         life begins again

Marcia Gordon, Marisa Gordon,
& Kanen Byard

         Lovers and Friends

pillow fight
in the dark
lovers and friends

         walk in the park
         hand in hand

moonlit night
hugging gets tighter
harmony in the air

         excited . . . I feel
         the gentleness of your kiss

subtle breeze
soft whispers
singing a sweet lullaby

         ocean water slowly
         covers my body

Dee & Will Wood