warm paws and warm toes
under the covers
Libby the beagle

woodstove—
steam rises from
snow soaked socks and gloves

soothing tap of the rain…
against the window
asleep

a sea of eyes
I meet their stare
cold tiles underfoot

sunlight breaks through the clouds
kids hard at play
till grandma calls them inside

in the ring…
a single strike
brings silence

ruffles and ribbons
Sunday dress
makes the little girl spin round

hooked up to so many tubes
scares and worries
finally peace at last

sounds of fish
out of the water...
the sun touching the ground

waiting to fly
wheel falls off—
time to board

smoke from the grill
burning my eyes
good-byes too soon

the radish bit my tongue
childless
watching the children play

raindrops on the windshield
the weather changes
he is gone

courthouse clock—
chalked tires
bitter cold

a cross of ashes
a little town sanctuary
outlined with tulips

trembling down the aisle
smells of sweet pea
fill the church

reaching for an empty space
evening returns
the spell is broken

turning pages under a light
the glimmer of eyes
from a child's learning

clay too wet
mud twirling
on the wheel

motorcycle in the rain
headlights
flat line

blanket of pine needles
ribbons of red
on your grave

the hilltop pavilion
good-bye
is in the envelope

baby prams
parked in the sun—
the russian lullabies

from across the room
the baby smiles
when he comes into sight

too small to see the fire
the smell of coffee
warms the kitchen

dressing room
folding my black belt
“whew”

large bell
in the steeple...
laughter while they play

cloudy—
the anticipation of snowfall
under the streetlight

family on either side
can’t believe his words
“Will you marry me?”

mother at the glass
uncertainty
peace at last

wet, clay hands swirling
pot grows taller
so does my faith

tall grass around the old building
    empty swings
        distant cries…

ice storm
sleeping bag
Lent

the chain hits
the pole
I hit the ball to myself

climbing the
   broken
      down
         fence
breaking in the propane dinosaur