in the middle of the lake
a kayak sits
. . . still

Amy Harmon (8)

whispering winds
my hammock gently sways
on the day of sabbath

Brock Freeman (9)

whispering winds
my hammock gently sways
on the day of Sabbath
peace in the world
peace in my heart

Brock Freeman & Dana Sayles

wet grass
resumed activities
bicycles and jump ropes

trembling at the knees
mellow music
I do

leaning over the edge
he licks the soap
off my arm

Dana Sayles (7)

leaning over the edge
he licks the soap
off my arm
my loyal dog
always at my side

Dana Sayles & Marsha Peel

leaning over the edge
he licks the soap
off my arm
first glimpse of softness
hiding behind fear

Dana Sayles & herself

the coldest night
a window cracked open
to soothe the heated heart

Stephanie Cockrell (5)

so many questions
in the garden
in due time, my child

Cherronda Dear (6)

the sand settles
. . . man down

Cynthia Jones (7)

office politics
with a heavy heart
I play the game

Dana Sayles (6)

office politics
with a heavy heart
I play the game
people who would-be
friends

Dana Sayles & William Cato

office politics
with a heavy heart
I play the game
we     all
love to hate

Dana Sayles & Brock Freeman

sitting alone
mind is clearing
the smell of new rain

Daniel Bradford

sitting alone
mind is clearing
the smell of new rain
finally I have found . . .
peace

Daniel Bradford & Amy Harmon

sitting alone
mind is clearing
the smell of new rain
as it washes away
yesterday

Daniel Bradford & Sean Ekiss

nervous laugh
a sideways glance
young love

Dana Sayles (10)

nervous laugh
a sideways glance
young love
city bus ride to nowhere
staring into her brown eyes

Dana Sayles & Stephanie Cockrell

nervous laugh
a sideways glance
young love
no words spoken
as the sunsets

Dana Sayles & Emily Green

nervous father
in blue scrubs
red headed baby boy

Emily Green (4)

nervous father
in blue scrubs
awaited by family
red headed baby boy . . .
Brown headed toddler

Emily Green & Josh Macklin

nervous father
in blue scrubs
red headed baby boy
mom calls
our baby boy

Emily Green & Divya Patel

afraid in the dark
he still sees
his shadow

Cynthia Jones (5)

afraid in the dark
he still sees
his shadow
retreat beneath sheets
can't get me here

Cynthia Jones & William Cato

afraid in the dark
he still sees
his shadow
the bear
fights it off

Cynthia Jones & Joren Martin

a flimsy straw hat
she teaches me
in the garden

Cherronda Dear (9)

a flimsy straw hat
she teaches me
in the garden
long summer days pass
a bountiful harvest is had

Cherronda Dear & Marsha Peel

a flimsy straw hat
she teaches me
in the garden
I learn
more than words

Cherronda Dear & Joren Martin

playing in the woods
I wonder from the path
am I lost?

Amy Harmon (4)

playing in the woods
I wonder from the path—
the northern star
shines bright
am I lost?

Amy Harmon & Daniel Bradford

squeaky floorboard
the youngest comes in the dark
with questions

Stephanie Cockrell (9)

squeaky floorboard
the youngest comes in the dark
with questions
will they ever
stop

Stephanie Cockrell & Amy Harmon

four o’clock
the river’s bounty in his talons
Daddy flies home

Granny guides me
through the field of cotton
a scorching ball of flame

little wooden ships
sailing on story books
a flask in the top drawer

Joren Martin (5)

four generations
sitting by the fireplace
story time

Kelsey Polk (9)

four generations
sitting by the fireplace
story time
shuffling for position
Granny's about to speak

Kelsey Polk & Charles Walker

four generations
sitting by the fireplace
story time
several pages torn out
to preserve the family

Kelsey Polk & Stephanie Cockrell

four generations
sitting by the fireplace
story time
cognac in snifters
reflect the flames

Kelsey Polk & Marsha Malone Peel

my voice
whispering in his ears
silence

Linda Graves (4)

my voice
whispering in his ears
silence
lost in the night
quiet whispers back

Linda Graves & Cynthia Jones

hot summer sun
my sweat
tastes unforgiven

Charles Walker

hot summer sun
my sweat
tastes unforgiven
the pain is worth
those last five pounds

Marsha Malone Peel & Sean Ekiss

autumn shower
splashing on window pane
song
jazz riff accompanies the rain
blues jealously slip in

Linda Graves & Charles Walker

autumn shower
splashing on window pane
song
is sung
with love

Linda Graves & Brock Freeman

claps overhead
old men hang lanterns
laughing

rainy morning
garden grown tomatoes
sitting on the porch

Sevie Jarrett (4)

rainy morning
garden grown tomatoes
sitting on the porch
patiently
waiting

Sevie Jarrett & herself

nascar thoughts
eyes wide shut
NO          restart button

hum
the road
me

William Cato (4)

hum
the road
me
heavy eyes
challenge me

William Cato & Stacey Longfellow

hum
the road
me
music
coffee

William Cato & Kelsey Polk

snow falls quietly
the winter kitchen
smells of baking cookies

Marsha Malone Peel (7)

snow falls quietly
the winter kitchen
smells of baking cookies
family and friends
gathered

Marsha Malone Peel & Divya Patel

rocking of the boat
smoke on the water
bent poles

Josh Macklin (7)

rocking of the boat
ripples peeking through
smoke on the water
bent poles
out of bait

Josh Macklin & himself

old beat up blanket
four little boys
giggle

Sean Ekiss (6)

old beat up blanket
four little boys
giggle
ignoring footsteps
scolding mom

Sean Ekiss & Stacey Longfellow

old beat up blanket
four little boys
giggle
Grandma's footsteps
. . . silence

Sean Ekiss & Kelsey Polk

hairdresser
hot pressing iron
patient women waiting

Sevie Jarrett (8)

hairdresser
hot pressing iron
patient women waiting
gossip being spread
as time passes by

Sevie Jarrett & herself

hairdresser
hot pressing iron
patient women waiting
spritzing hairspray
gossip buzzing through the air

Sevie Jarrett & Emily Green

cool summer night
wind through your hair
rumbling pipes

a butterfly
lands on her finger
they stand still

Stephanie Cockrell (8)

a butterfly
lands on her finger
they stand still
this moment for life
peace

Stephanie Cockrell & Cynthia Jones