sand in my shoe
the beach
follows me home

sand in my shoe
the beach
follows me home
as I dream
of the next trip

sand in my shoe
the beach
follows me home
and finds itself
warm in the carpet

sand in my shoe
the beach
follows me home
I find
a seashell

sand in my shoe
the beach
follows me home
mom
doesn’t look pleased

sand in my shoe
the beach
follows me home
to find a resting place
at the bottom of my dryer

sand in my shoe
the beach
follows me home
the sun sets
on the perfect day

humid room
he never stops talking . . .
will I die in here?

humid room
he never stops talking . . .
will I die in here?
pencils clack
I watch the seconds

humid room
he never stops talking . . .
will I die in here?
the question more pressing
than his words

humid room
he never stops talking . . .
will I die in here?
the irony
of studying torture

humid room
he never stops talking . . .
will I die in here?
my eyes glaze over
like the dull luster of his head

humid room
he never stops talking…
will I die in here?
seconds tick away as
my mind drifts elsewhere

humid room
he never stops talking...
will I die in here?
I click my pen
continuously

humid room
he never stops talking . . .
will I die in here?
I start to doodle
to stay sane

humid room
he never stops talking . . .
will I die in here?
across the room
a fly drops to the ground

runt in the litter
fights off
their biggest predator

runt in the litter
fights off
their biggest predator
snarling siblings
in the barn

runt in the litter
fights off
their biggest predator,
his fire inside
a raging inferno

runt in the litter
fights off
their biggest predator
seeking protection
underneath their mom

voices in my head
I've been driving
for too long

voices in my head
I've been driving
for too long
I’m finally
home

voices in my head
I've been driving
for too long
the cell
gives relief

voices in my head
I’ve been driving
for too long
Shakespeare is quoting
George Bush?

voices in my head
I’ve been driving
for too long
…how long has
the radio been on?

voices in my head
I've been driving
for too long
the double yellow line
merges into one

blurry street signs--
the traffic noise becoming
voices in my head
I’ve been driving
for too long

voices in my head
I've been driving
for too long
I pull to the side of the road
to enjoy a sandwich

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
the drunkard
makes music

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
a coyote, with hope,
replies

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
the crows
shake their heads

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
boredom
is taking control

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
the highway responds
with a pothole

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
the wheels spinning
still, in the ditch

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
back tires turning—
nose buried in the ditch

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
the deer leaps
and cracks the windshield

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
I can’t wait
to reach civilization

the car horn echoes
on an empty
highway
gray clouds
hide the moon’s light

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence
we remove
our shoes

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence-
an owl, seen glaring,
seems loving

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence
their eyes
say enough

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence
father and son
wander through memory

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence
we come to a rest
on the weathered bench

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence
as my hand
reaches for yours

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence
all of a sudden
we burst out laughing

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence
his hand
finds mine

walking together
between shady trees
comfortable silence
playful wind
dances in your hair

silent willows
branches cascade
into the lake

silent willows
branches cascade
into the lake
no one knows
that I’m here

silent willows
branches cascade
into the lake-
for once, fish
play in the trees

silent willows
branches cascade
into the lake
a moment
captured in watercolor

silent willows
branches cascade
into the lake
the quiet encases
the deer’s silhouette

silent willows
branches cascade
into the lake
the cool water
lapping against bare feet

driving out of the city
buildings turning into
fields

driving out of the city
buildings turning into
fields
a breeze reminds me
of fresh air

driving out of the city
buildings turning into
fields—
my car scares off
a flock of crows

driving out of the city
buildings turning into
fields
turning into
fields

driving out of the city
buildings turning into
fields
as I notice the smell
of the good ol’country air

driving out of the city
buildings turning into
fields
corn stalks as high
as skyscrapers

driving out of the city
buildings turning into
fields
the horizon
swallows the end of the road

lover's initials
etched under stairs
lake house ghosts

lover's initials
etched under stairs
lake house ghosts
our hands
find each other

lover's initials
etched under stairs
lake house ghosts—
a cold place
now warm

lover's initials
etched under stairs
lake house ghosts
my finger traces
the curves

lover’s initials
etched under stairs
lake house ghosts
underneath
we add our own

lover's initials
etched under stairs
lake house ghosts
her face resting
on the fireplace mantel

running my fingers
across the grains of wood
lover’s initials
etched under the stairs
lake house ghosts

lovers’ initials
etched under stairs
lake house ghosts
slow dance
when no one’s watching

an event
once stressful
makes me laugh

an event
once stressful
makes me laugh
and with it
comes escape

an event
once stressful
makes me laugh
the vase
grows on the wheel

an event
once stressful
makes me laugh
I can’t remember
why I was worried

an event
once stressful
makes me laugh
junior high
fashion statements

an event
once stressful
makes me laugh
flushed face
turns to smiles