time to leave
going to the beach
for one last dream

arthritic hands curl
around the neck of the violin
one more time

wish I had more time
cannot see everyone
the boys are back

spring break
escaping to Florida
in my dreams

dentist appointment
I brush my teeth
for the second time

popping the
second zit--
I feel ugly.

overcast afternoon
I play Mozart
on the piano

washing my car
barefoot in the driveway
it starts to rain

sun bathing
sounds of children
playing Marco polo

stuffy tuxedo--
son more nervous
than father

beautiful blonde finish
stained red
a “new” original

windshield wipers stuck
the man’s entire life
crammed into the back seat

first sunny day
of spring break
back at school  

cold darkness
     a stranger
stealing my blanket

sittin’ on the tailgate
still covered in mud
the rain fills our tracks  

sitting in rows
before the wedding
98° a third time

gnawing hard
at my stomach
only two dollars

high school rivals
in the dim tavern
            two shots

nearly full moon
illuminates
bright white shoes

missing id--
the margarita pitcher
now split between two

tropical paradise
the closest i get
is my screen saver

CD player skips
on the road
for nine hours

changing lanes--
I remember the names
of old boyfriends

Easter eve
for the first time
I have no trouble sleeping

cleaning day
i read my
old dusty diary

breezy afternoon
small hands shake Easter eggs
listening for money

thick smoke rising
through it
her voice echoes

world class vertioso
     plays happy birthday
to her mentor and friend

olive garden
she smiles at me
loved is what I feel

lips touch
eyes tight
logging this feeling

pajamas
lamplight highlights
cleanly shaven legs

sunday morning
tears after a week lived
gathering my things

sunny morning drive
pretending that I sing
like a rockstar

over coffee
she talks like
my cousin were still alive

poolside
my skin reflects
the bleached concrete

the oversized rabbit
keeps trying
to hug me

chilly spring morning
trying to get away
I stay home

total strangers
become best friends
after 5 drinks

spring twilight
we search the field
for my glasses

on his deathbed
Grandpa's promise
to attend my wedding

condoms out of reach
she collapses
on me

lost in St. Louis      flat tire

kneeling before
the wooden cross
I smell fresh pine

I stare at unopened mail
mostly bills
due yesterday

hot tub closed
security
back in an hour

high school buddies
lovingly they call me
by my old nickname

beautiful day
on the couch
ignoring phone calls

young mechanic armdeep
in the car's girth
his face contorts

day after moving
realizing
i need more stuff

boxes piled in my closet
the subject that starts
a family crisis

leaky shoes
I try to avoid puddles
in the drizzling rain

sun glistens inside
an empty tomb
no one there

a week
feels like one long day
I just want some sleep

bass bouncing of walls
start feeling the vibe
this is what makes home great

the toilet
stops swirling
as i look for the plunger

playing baseball
my feet stick
soft ground

church building beam
blocks the view
of the sermon

stuffy air plane
end of the trip
we fold up the trays

early drive to work
police lights emerge
from the darkness

Easter breakfast
m&m’s
on the bus

uncle tom's stories
told to everyone
without a listening ear

midnight bowling
pins topple
I give him a sleepy high-five

Easter dinner
the estranged family
sits in silence

Easer bonnet
blocks my view
Sunday morning

rain covering
sunken stepping stones
their path now unknown

3:00am
passed out
sprinklers turn on

taking my eyes
off the road
a leaf flutters by

she's heavier now
prison and heroin
have stolen her crowd stopping glow

slow spinning fan
we pop in
another X-Files

light morning dew
a raccoon
in the passenger seat

every window open
the stench of beer and cigarettes
I sit with numb toes

he smiles at me
from across the net
love – thirty

my seat warming
the couch
I need to get off of

cold, closed door
last night home
without my father

heat rises off
the clay court
makeup mixed with sweat

packed coffee house
father and son
play chess

standing in the ocean
with a drink in my hand
what more could you ask for

staring blankly
at white walls
I faintly hear them argue

stuffy house
hard chairs
the aunts I never see

the phone rings
I tuck my hair
behind my ear

warm sun
and first love
feet don't touch the ground

I kick the pebble
in front of me
a shadow skips along the pavement

the grass sinks slightly
under my weight
I turn to walk away

on the back
of her wedding dress
     bubble gum

wisdom teeth out
cheeks swollen
couch ridden

we went to the beach
what a sight
the girls getting a bit nipply

getting buried
keeping cool
keg in the sand

green plastic grass
woven basket
sits in middle of grass

mingling hordes saying
     It's been too long
all family

finally home to mom
food on table
love being home

friendly phone call
beach sounds
in the background

in the woods
the forgotten desk
becomes a photo prop

younger sister
wobbling in heels
March tulips still closed

five-star
buffet
one big purse

darkness slowly descends
over the prairie
stars light my path

oh rainy day
new convertible
in the garage