The Journey

calm summer night
they whisper sweet nothings
a new love

promises made
announcement

she takes a test
positive...
Good Friday

at home
a mother rocks her child

graduation day
the youngest off to college
alone at last

a doctor's warning
the memories remain

by Crystal Lutz
and Katrina Farris

overbearing father
frustrated son
why won’t he let me do it myself?

I can do it so much better
than he can

I’ll never learn
if he doesn’t let
my hands get involved

he doesn’t know
what he is doing
it will be ruined

dreams of building
my own bookcases

with a father’s guidance
and great ideas
we can get a lot accomplished

Leslee Finney

Family Celebration

New Year's Eve
the table stacked
high with games

the family gathers in the kitchen
with a snack and drink in hand

deck of cards
I shuffle and deal
first game, Uno

from one game to another
we pick Life from the pile

nighttime falls as
the moonlight shines
almost midnight

horns blow, confetti flies
Happy New Year

Kelley Larrick

The Game

Food and drinks
Girl’s night out
Our monthly meeting

Rolling of the dice
Girls laughing
Bunco

Tearing of paper
Wins and losses
Gifts exchanged

Coats are gathered
Calendars marked
Until next time

by Katrina Farris
and Yvonne Prytherch

The Playoffs

ball on the tip of the rim
anticipation
crowd cheering

the basket counts and the score
is tied in overtime

hearts pounding
anxiously awaiting
the overtime tip-off

flash of the oncoming headlights
as a cop shoots radar
at the bottom of the hill

cars slowly streaming
out of the parking lot
horns honking

the thrill of an exciting game
and at the end
we are the champions!

Kelley & Leslee

the candle flickers
as the wick
burns out

all alone
after the storm

fearful of the unknown
I bury myself
under the blankets

shining stars
trying to peek
out from the clouds

the moon is smiling
down on me

fast asleep
peacefully dreaming
I’m still alive

Jill Friesner & Lisa Wilder

Holiday

Halloween night
grandmother’s wheelchair
becomes our cave

spiders and bats
dark curved maze

rows and rows
of one way streets
I’m lost again

tall buildings
short buildings
waves of people

anticipation excitement
one week cruise

blue sky and ocean
riding the waves
oh how relaxing

John Byler & Hye-Seung Byler

twelve red roses
a box of chocolates
will you be my valentine

the perfect gift
I replied with a kiss

falling fast
down the hill
landing in mud

my eyes squint painfully
as the sun shines through

climbing back up
seeking closure
to the heartache

I scratch his picture
from my memory

new buds
blooming beautifully
all across my heart

Jill Friesner & Lisa Wilder

Darkening Clouds

falling leaves
blanket
the fresh grave

two frost bitten hands
by the fireplace

snow enters
unbidden
through the drafty cabin door

across the room
the empty birdcage
rattles

the rhythm of the gentle rain
on the old tin roof

dressing
his daughter
in a yellow raincoat

Matt Lee & John Byler

Echoes

wind whips my hair
I stand alone
on the busy street

city sounds
engulf my mind

his voice sounds final;
with the last goodbye
the door closes

thump
heartbeats echo in the room

spring rains
pound into
the window

her desire slides
down the pane

by
Tracy Reese Nash
and Chris Schmidt

Time Goes On

winter evening party
several days after
belated birthday

snowflakes fall
a new year begins

longer days
scent of fresh cut grass
dogwood trees in bloom

barbeque grills
and hot summer nights

high up in the sky
shining so bright
a silver moon

crops being severed from the land
as the leaves change colors

Terry Mallory
& Stephanie Meis

August sun
two dogs cooling off
in a mountain lake

tanning oil softens
my skin

a wave reflects
a ray into
my eye

a drop of
sweat
on my tongue

a passing boat
gently rocks me

a hint of coconut
brought in
by a breeze

Matt Lee & friend

A First Outing

His old summer love
Sharing with his son
A perfect day for baseball

the crowd stands
for the National Anthem

the child signals
for some peanuts and
keeps his father laughing

five trips to the bathroom
it’s the sixth inning

Redbird visits
and souvenirs bought
seventh inning stretch

on dad’s shoulders
the home team wins!

Crystal & Jerry Lutz

Thankful

coldest day of winter
push the button
the door doesn’t open

overcome by feeling
of frustration

convenience always
taken for granted
until now

it could be said
that I’m not satisfied

should be thankful
for the little things
it could be worse

my peace, my strength
I’m not going to worry

Terry Mallory & friends

Failing

I stare at the screen
blankness;
words will not come

deadline is tomorrow
failing

dialysis machine beeps
as the IV
snakes down my arm

hope drains
another donor rejected

mysterious call
he leaves again
midnight rendezvous

finally over
peace at last

by Tracy Reese Nash
and Connie Volpe

SPRING IN FULL BLOOM

sounds of distant honking
‘V’ shaped patterns
geese flying south

stalks start to appear
revealing daffodils

little buds
form on branches
trees in bloom

soft plush grass
fills in the holes

sound of robins
gathering twigs
for a nest

rainy days
Springs arrived

Stephanie Meis