shave and shower
first date
cancelled

sleeping with one eye open
is she awake
let's see

a kiss goodnight
turns into to something
I love you

you're crazy
no
just in love

the timing
never right
letting you go

match made
in
college

right swipe
left me
for you

the walls
are too thin—
for us

smoky
seared steak
dry red wine

first date
constant glances
. . . at my phone

cheesy smile
i tend to get
around you

my bed
the only place
i am myself

breakfast date
we’ll have
our usual

analyzing the last fight . . .
the bar of soap
slipping from my hands

morning kiss
      . . . go
brush your teeth

our first date
my favorite shoes
. . . his vomit

on the elevator . . .
two strangers
sneak a glance

the rocking chair
doesn't rock
. . . without you

junior high locker—
she kisses her boyfriend
Edward Cullen

movie night
her wet hair
cold on my arm

ice skating
blue eyes
brighter than the lights

puckering lips
I hope I don’t
mess this up

mattress springs
of upstairs neighbors
. . . ear plugs

starring at an old picture
of her
a new tear drop stain

unimpressed—
your new girl
could never replace me

hesitant at my doorstep
my kiss
inviting you in

mutual attraction
i wait impatiently—
for your next move

the old gym floor
where we found
our love

i drag myself to bed
staring
at where she used to lay

sweaty palms
waiting for
the door to open

friend’s girlfriend
touches
   my arm

road trip
she rests her head
on my shoulder

amber cab lights
she scoots
a little closer

first date drop-off
stops on the street
thank you, next

this year is my year
I know because
my ex’s mom told me so

second date — Halloween
passes out drunk
on my couch and I still go out

waiting
for him to ask . . .
Prom?

blushing
face beet red
he asked me to be his

blinded by love
do you think . . . maybe
no way

he allowed me a marg IF
I drank it all
fake phone call, gotta go

don’t break up
with your girlfriend
I’m not bored

momma’s boy?
momma doesn’t share
her boy

anxious for
this blind date
could he be the one?

my bedroom
my favorite place to . . .
nap

whispers
in the dark. . .
share life dreams

laughing along the river
from behind his back
he presents wildflowers

moonlit country roads
getting to know you
. . . where are we?

his laughter . . .
the soundtrack
of my life

momma always said
no boys in the bedroom
with the door shut — sorry

clutching the bar stool
waiting
to feel wanted

unsure
how to properly care
for flowers

the waitress unties
her apron
a quarter in the jukebox

rainy day face
found a penny
to pick me up

sharing a wish
then listening together
the coin's splash

crack of the bat
pop of the mitt
my first true love

she tells me
stories from her childhood
the sunroom

times of darkness
her laughter
my only remedy

sauna surrounding
the children continue playing
adults only now

one candle
two glasses of wine
date night

taking up a fraction
of my mind
bad liar

diner breakfast for two
i wear
your old college sweatshirt

getting to know you over
coffee for two . . .
an easy morning

a boiling pot
thoughts of you
rise to the surface

I want the love
my parents. . .
share

kiss me
everyday
like it's the last

curled up on the couch
quietly
dreaming about life

soothing
             lavender
                          melts
                                   the stress
                                                     
                                                      away

middle school dance

he chooses the new girl
teardrops on bathroom tile

I close both eyes
and picture . . .
my toes in the sand

lights dimmed
music playing softly
in the background

sipping coffee
listening to music
eyes closed

midnight drive
music blaring
my therapy

folding clean sheets
my mind is blank
i start again

in the room
all alone
my happy place

a letter written
to myself . . .
the ghost within

in a wind tunnel
i eat . . .
my hair

cold, wet rain
the crosswalk signal . . .
DON'T WALK

through the doorway
a young boy
and his backpack

golden layers
the crunch
of mother’s baklava

a number five
always fills me up
fast food

romantic comedies
STOP
put on The Godfather

cricket chirp
memories gather
to keep me awake

mattress on the floor
stained carpet
not ideal

afternoon nap
roommates scream a bat
in our kitchen

people watching
everyone
in such a hurry

skipping stones
only one
completes its journey

solid oak
knock, knock:
House of Cards

1940s noir
keeping things bleak . . .
good

silence
this exists in
a fraternity house . . . ?

heated blanket
wrapped up
knocked out

stressreliever
tea
burned my mouth

glitter here and there
my sisters are
everywhere

hum of old radiator
ribs expanding
nose grows cold with each inhale

haunted—
an empty mind
where his dreams once lived

metal lawn chair
scrape
my mind jolted awake

tip toeing in
just around 3 am
time to life update roomie

sitting down
in an almost quiet space
dull twinkle of piano keys

sitting alone
draped in silence
. . . what was that?