wasps hover
around our full bags
apple picking

Sendin Bajric (8)

the cold wind
curled up
under my winter coat

(5)

dark field
the night sky
creates my escape

(5)

together
we talk about
a fictional future

(6)

her dad smiles
a shotgun displayed
over the mantle

Courtney Gallup (10)

crash on gravel
my tears of pain
dad's laughter

(2)

headphones thump
consuming the head and heart
no thoughts allowed

(6)

as you pray
they hug and whisper
sorry for your loss

(2)

driving too fast
black ice
the car becomes an avalanche

(1)

last day of school
papers fly
running with the bulls

Moli Copple (9)

a slow drag
ignites my chest
restless

(3)

silent embrace
ella sings us
to sleep

(2)

vibrant green
screams desire
her beautiful eyes

Conner Kerrigan (8)

holding hands
through the park
vibrant green

(4)

misty air
a rebel's sonnet
played to the wind

(5)

my shoes crush soldiers
making mountains
ants in a field

(5)

shaky fingers
fumbling for a pen—
3 weeks sober

(7)

slow moving
current
her lullaby

(3)

everyone has their own agenda
but all I want
is to sit and talk

(5)

a slow drive past
a place I spent so many days
MHS

(2)

dark blue sky
pale shimmer of the streetlights
smoke rises

Conner Kerrigan (8)

peeling paint
a wraparound porch
home

(8)

two snow angels
in the backyard
slowly melt

(5)

grey winter
the robin’s song
brings hope

(2)

scent of gas
she strikes the match
no more tomorrow

Courtney Gallup (8)

one last look
in the totaled car
her scent lingers

(7)

trapped in a corner
fallen kingdom
chess

(4)

cupcakes
at a child’s party
frosting on the nose

(1)

lights off
gripping his covers
waiting

(3)

feet ready
to escape the desks
ring!

(2)

thermometer
scarlet bar climbing higher
I shake as I burn

(4)

two separate hands
each lonely, wondering, until
his fire meets my ice

(5)

walking hand in hand
kicking up dirt
the sun falls behind us

Katie McDaniel (11)

fresh cut grass
young girl with braided hair
cartwheels

(6)

a blue balloon
floats alone
its basket empty

(4)

a broccoli tree
only for climbing
in my teeth

(2)

finally
a joyful embrace
spring buds

(3)

eyes closed
hands clasped
I feel His presence

(3)

butterfly tickling
my cheek
soft kiss

(5)

imagining food
the fish jump
for fireworks

(4)

the oldest record
pulled from the shelf
dust cloud

Conner Kerrigan (9)

a biting pain
in my throat
whisky

(2)

smooth voice
cuts through the smoky bar
jazz chords

Conner Kerrigan (9)

she lays alone
while tea steeps
a still cold

(3)

beating sun
the dead dog
doesn't mind

(4)

soft eyes
reflect
the moon

(3)

paper snowflakes dangle
from the ceiling
as we dance

(4)

jazz walk
through the park
on a spring day

movie night
I find I am
the ninth wheel

(6)

the front lawn
gently tucked in
by blanket of snow

(3)

laying out
move, cloud, move!
ah, the warmth of the sun

(3)

alarm sounds
emerging from the blankets
arctic rush

(3)

doorbell rings
anxious butterflies
meet the future in-laws

(3)

to him I'm just a number
added to the list
of exes

(5)

small town church
fresh flowers
on the cross

(4)

the turtle
just a rock by the pond
in spring rain

(4)

my toes hit
the hardwood floors
planning our future

(3)

questioning his beliefs
he runs and finds
the christmas tree alight

(6)

"Relax, I've done this before"
as her hair falls to the rug

(2)

temporary tattoos
even more exciting
in college

(4)

a confidant
a partner in crime
a brother

(5)

that mistake . . .
now a tiny heart beats
God's will

(7)

dim cloudy bar
the jazz singer croons—
"fly me to the moon!"

(6)

beneath a harvest moon
in the calm breeze
we talk of ghosts

(7)

old man
half-heartedly
begging for change

((2)

home is where
the shell is—
turtle life

Elise Scannell (8)

by the clear lake
my sister in a flowing skirt—
lamenting the wind

(3)

father's face
as my sister boasts
the loss of her virginity

(6)

a tender note
from a lover—
falls from his wallet

Wanda June (13)

after grandma's funeral
still leaving
space at the table

(5)

tiny fingers
molding
gingerbread men

(3)

brand new heels
her confidence slips
on black ice

Elise Scannell (8)

people by people
pass by him
shaking his cup

(4)

blooming years behind
just an old stump
The Giving Tree

(6)

brushing her hair
she never stops
critiquing

(5)

flipping through
a magazine
clothes she’ll never wear

(3)

friends laughing by the shore
my hat flies off—
ah well!

(2)

sprawled out together
on leaves of grass
painting the clouds

Wanda June (10)

contagious laughter—
seeing the world
through my niece’s eyes

(6)

Sunday morning
after the sermon
she feels nothing

(5)

bundled up
the little body shivers
her excitement ignores it

(1)

bubbles float
out of the wand
metallic rainbows

(5)

ticking clock—
the little black dress
never left the hanger

(7)

beads of sweat
flying with her wild hair—
summer of love

(6)

waiting room—
nervously chewing
fingernails

(2)

pitter-patter
of light rain—
snooze

(6)

splish splash
playing mermaid
in her own world

(4)

rattling wheels stop
construction destroys
my old wooden bridge

(3)

his white t-shirt
smells of pine
she wears it to sleep

(2)

sun through the window
heating the coffee
in my cracked mug

(2)

summer breeze
nevermind
it's my fart

(7)

20 years of marriage
the husband cooks
for the first time

(5)

shrieking rain
grandma's stories
keeping me calm

(3)

old wicker basket
brimming with warm laundry
moans its protests

(5)

around her neck
a rusted necklace
Friends Forever

(7)

small fish on the shore
squirming for life
unstocked pond

summer breeze
the sky God's paint box
over my front porch

(2)

bitter sting of winter
the last apple
just ripened

(1)

infinite sky
life a
never ending story

scrapes and bruises
still I climb
yearning for flight

(3)

under the oak
little ones play tag
balloons dance

(3)

spring afternoon
turtle in the grass
nibbling strawberries

(6)

love lost
was never really
found

(5)

thinking of yellow
I pee
on concrete

(4)

reaching out
his hand
she pulls away

(3)

hospital bed
she snuggles with
grandpa

Elise Scannell (9)

surrounded by stars
you
shine the brightest

(6)

sun-dappled branches
a tiny fawn
waits

(5)

at night
the ceiling
my Milky Way

(3)

crowded room
I reach for your hand
and grab a strangers

Jessica Claussen (8)

lint person
emerges
dryer monster

(6)

man's faithful friend
at the foot of the bed
slippers

(4)

staring longingly out
the classroom window
countdown to summer

freshly squeezed juice
sweltering summer sun
lobsters dance

(4)

eyes peek open
to watch his dad
during prayer

(7)

starburst wrapper
holds my answer
I checked yes

(4)

a purple pencil
leaves a trail of fire
dinosaur

(5)

tornado siren
harmony
amidst the storm

(2)

evening sun
in her cupped palm
catching fire

(3)

new chapter
I hide
in unworn pages

(5)

a distant rumble and too early
darkness falls

(1)


all too soon
the casket filled
with a porcelain doll

(2)

coffee cup
stained with age
my reflection

(4)

the last present
hidden under the tree
I said yes

(5)

small child
frosty breath on the window
a fresh slate

(4)

memories
somewhere far away
a mower's drone

(2)

under the bed
hide and seek
I hope I win

(2)

on the subway
the old hippie
dances

(7)

under his glasses
he stares
at another woman

(3)

sunglasses hide
the small son’s lie
. . . he ate the cookies

(3)

I surprise you at work
just to find
you don’t work here

(4)

our reflection
gently fades
with the setting sun.

(2)

her collection
of glass eyes
staring contest

(7)

my only escape
the panda bear's
soft embrace

(1)

wooden church
destroyed by the tornado
Bible untouched

(4)

waves crash
on the still night
don’t let me go

(4)

driving along the coast
today
we find the rain

(5)

our digital map
affectionately named
G-Possessed

(1)

all alone
suddenly distracted
by lives other than mine

(2)

two people
in love
with someone else

(3)

young boy
sings along
from his upside down hymnal

Jessica Claussen (11)

soundtrack of the hall
twelve different songs
all at once

(2)

together
in the library
don't tell my wife

a small turtle
looks out the window
squinting

(4)

the tragedy of
an untied shoelace
meeting the jump rope

(2)

extra people through the door
grandma takes out
a second ham

(3)

fresh air
evicts the stale winter
from my room

(2)

midwinter
water balloon fight
in the hallway

(3)

tattered lace
a freak accident
in the bedroom

(4)

blue journal
my novel
waiting to be written

(3)

butterflies
in love
with life

(2)

door finally closed
alone time
. . . knock knock

(4)

daddy's eyes
only see
Cinderella

(7)

my phone rings
a calvary
of text messages

(2)

country road
holds the answers
to my thoughts

Jessica Claussen (11)

early morning
we wash the windows
just to watch the rain

(2)

left arrow for exit
we turn right
my father doesn't need directions

(3)

old wooden table
still a scratch
where his knife used to rest

(2)

the old chair
with sagging arms
still smells like my father

(1)

rays of sun
kiss my nose
Mom says they're God’s kisses

(2)

fell too fast
instant pain
no salt on the sidewalk

(2)

wet grass
I slip
infinite laughter

(1)

spider web
dressed up
with raindrop diamonds

(6)

hot blistered skin
sunburn
from a clouded sky

(1)

lost walnuts
hungry squirrel
goes on a diet

(6)

what if the world
remembered me
as a man?

(4)

youonlyliveonceexceptifyouregodorbettywhite

Katie McDaniel (8)

flying
straight to the heavens
rusty swing set

Katie McDaniel (12)

tug of a braid
a boy and girl
young love blossoms

(4)

scarlet star
not from the sky . . .
still making sea star wishes

(3)

crashing between rocks
even the sea
seems frustrated

(5)

city skyline
illuminates her eyes
shooting star

(5)

first day of summer
I remove your arm
from around my shoulders

(4)

a steady downpour
set to distinguish
the lights in the sky

(2)

head tilted up
engulfed in the lights
mosquito bite

(1)

let it all go
He will hear
balloons drift to the sky

(4)

sand between my toes
gentle exfoliation
free pedicure

(2)

even the breeze
seems to
have somewhere to go

(5)

realization
the real world
is here

(1)

friday night
under covers
my hand reaches yours

(4)

shining stars
soft grass beneath
questioning what is real

(4)

Salt stains
on classy gray boots
the winter sticks

(3)

chills haunt
your very core
seeing the dead

street lights come alive
time to go
inside

(4)

strong arms
encircle me
from behind

(6)

sidewalk scribbles
the language of friendship
written for all to see

(6)

the story of a woman
long gone
told over and over

falling dusk
the air is laced with
musty moonlight

(4)

only just begun
but farther
than before

(4)

fifty degrees
bright sunny day
shorts in winter

(1)

you hold me close
I whisper
the wrong name

Megan Vail (9)

a week early
because he couldn't wait
a bouquet of red roses

(7)

The feel of ivory
Is home
For her fingertips

(1)

a ray of light
between storm clouds
watchful eyes gazing down

(6)

one moment
swinging
the next, soaring

(6)

he makes the first move
sweaty palms
intertwine

(4)

Hello Kitty bandaids
can't mend
a broken heart

(6)

Millikin bleeds blue
apparently so does
the bronze man

(6)

stomping on dead leaves
on the sidewalk
nature's funeral

(4)

on the porch swing
steady sun
warms my feet

(4)

laughing out loud
just to see
her breath

(2)

soft silence
masked with tears
and a single fart

(4)

love
sinks deeper
the butterfly's fly

(2)

sunlight
through the branches
sparkles on the water

(3)

clock hands frozen
postponing
deadlines

(2)

snap
a twig
breaks the silence

(4)

outside the window
fireflies
mirror the stars

(5)

I go left
you go left
awkward aisle dance

Lindsay Quick (10)

it only takes three words
to understand
I love you

(2)

Let your hand move
Free from
The constraints of the mind

(1)

Father shares
His secrets
To his baby

(3)

wrinkled hands intertwined
a couple remembers
the first date

Catherine Hixson (8)

cold walk
with hidden ice
I fall

peaceful silence
interrupted
by time

(3)

dark shadows
hold my thoughts
to a minimum

addicted
to hot and cold
Starbucks

(2)

smokey bar
tapping my toe
swingin' eighths

(5)

best friend's new sunglass
bug eyes
whatever makes her happy

I squint my eyes
in the heat of the day
new sunglasses left at home

(1)

eyes open
engulfed by darkness
who am I?

(4)

lush pasture
sunshine on her face
as she runs

(2)

strawberry ice cream
sweetly chilly
brain freeze

(2)

hands held
in prayer
Easter brunch

(1)

Speaking in
New tongues
I twist my o's

sick of my feet
I begin
to use my wings

Merissa Marx (9)

warm one day
cold the next
springtime in Illinois

one final dusting
winter trying to stay
spring bursting through

(2)

the popsicle
cools off
the hot summer day

(2)

we walk through the misty fog
hoping we stay together
once it clears

Sendin Bajric (9)

he leans in
she turns her cheek
friend zone

(5)

driver's ed
reach for the gear shift
grab instructor's crotch

Courtney Gallup (8)

fresh food in the zoo pen
the turtle gets there
as the lettuce wilts

(7)

brisk morning air
my steps quicken
to reach some warmth

(2)

our eyes meet
from across the table
a secret signal

(7)

one step
in the right direction
maybe . . . ?

(4)

4:30 a.m.
baring cool morning air
triathlon training

(2)

jealousy in the eyes
of kids down the street
brand new light-up shoes

Moli Copple (9)

palms sweat
tapping feet
test I didn't study for

at the flower shop
I forget
which are her favorite

(7)

candy hearts
simple heartfelt message
2nd grade crush

(3)

fresh roses await
after a long work day
15th year anniversary

(3)

outlet malls
daddy's credit card
it's still hot

(4)

outlet malls
spent all my money
and then some

(1)

coffee -- an IV drip
good 'til the last
drop

(4)

coffee beans
beaten down
perk me up

(2)

unsure future
best way to love
is to say goodbye

(2)

dusty mirror
gazing into
an empty shell

(4)