in the dark—
my husband checks
his phone

unknown number
who is she?

Taylor Parola & Ashley Christensen

thunderstorm
he tells her
the truth

clear sky now swallowed
by the affair

Hope Klessig & Ashley Christensen

building sandcastles
in the hot sun
the tide rolls in . . .

alone and back
to a new beginning

Jared Chapman & Ashley Christensen

home late
your shoes
not at the door

the wagging tale
tears covered

Taylor Parola & Bre Johnson

when the mirror
says we are older
the love won’t stop

starting upon the stars
a shared giggle

Taylor Parola & Bre Johnson

dinner table
bears the weight of
conversation

across the street
flickering eyes

Olivia Tharpe & Bre Johnson

sandal tan lines
I feel the grass
on my toes

the dew cools my feet
as the hot air dries my toes

Jared Chapman & Dalton Glasco

rumbling ground
I sprint
to avoid the train

frozen as I hear
the train brake . . .

Kevin Escobar & Dalton Glasco

my reflection
in the window
washed with rain

a puddle forms
my reflection smiles as I jump

Shania Dvorak & Dalton Glasco

his hands
around her neck
she cannot scream

one last
breath . . .

Shania Dvorak & Erika Castanon

one text
my everything
leaves

will he come back?
probably not

Taylor Parola & Erika Castanon

windows down
listening to music
wind blown hair

he looks at me
I smile

Erika Castanon & Erika Castanon

old couple
watching the love birds
at the duck pond

I wonder if they can hear us
quack!

Shania Dvorak & Grace Newton

coffee
the only thing
I look forward to

tossing it in the sink
hands already too shaky

Olivia Tharpe& Grace Newton

pantry doors
left wide open
she’ll be back for more

searching for comfort
leaving the front door open too

Morgan Timmons & Grace Newton

the sun sets
on my world
and theirs

the moon gives life
to sounds of insects

Paige Boomer & Hailey Wimberly

clovers and dandelions
but where is the best
one

the lawn mower
cuts away long grass

Niki Curatti & Hailey Wimberly

my reflection
in the window
washed with rain

arguing of parents
fades in and out

Shania Dvorak & Hailey Wimberly

cold case files
shrieking--
chills down my spine

I sit in the living room
the fan on high

Hannah Watts & Hannah Watts

the playlist
concludes
as I ring out my hair

rose scented body wash
taking over the bathroom

Morgan Timmons & Hannah Watts

birthday cake
tastes different
this year

it tastes different
A L O N E

Taylor Parola & Hannah Watts

aunt's house 
the same tea stain
on the tablecloth

the crowing
of the hawks

Kevin Escobar & Hope Klessig

12:01 
goodnight kiss 
past curfew

the last call
with my grandmother

Hope Klessig & Hope Klessig

our freckles 
almost match 
beneath the summer sun

tasting the snowflakes
with my tongue

Grace Newton & Hope Klessig

home late
your shoes
not at the door

If I beat, you home and I’m late
Who were you with?

Taylor Parola & Jada Miller

dinner table
bears the weight of
conversation

When will the lockdown be over?
I’m tired of them arguing everyday

Olivia Tharpe& Jada Miller

old couple
watching the love birds
at the duck pond

they then play
Duck, Duck . . . Goose!

Shania Dvorak & Jada Miller

crisp fall day
we pack up the car
to pick pumpkins

winding maze of corn—
we take a short cut

Ashley Christensen & Jared Chapman

your greasy hand
slides into mine
buttered popcorn

middle-school crush
my dad sits a few rows back

Hope Klessig & Jared Chapman

my reflection
in the window
washed with rain

clouds in the sky
it’s a grey horse!

Shania Dvorak & Jared Chapman

grandpa’s farm
a “for sale” sign
in the front yard

my animal friends
vacated

Hope Klessig & Kevin Escobar

keys jingling
at the door
we run to do the dishes

the sink and dishwasher
both full

Taylor Parola & Kevin Escobar

puddles all around.
obstacles or
opportunities

I look down
to reflect

Niki Curatti & Kevin Escobar

her mirror 
a movie
midnight tears

reflections taking form 
my living nightmares

Bre Johnson & Michael Santos

moonlight 
darkness clears 
the path

my guiding light gone,
the clouds hide her form me

Dalton Glasco & Michael Santos

building sandcastles 
in the hot sun
the tide rolls in . . .

waves crashing harder,
their words begin to take hold

Jared Chapman & Michael Santos

ring marks
from sweating drinks
conversation for two

on the wood table — wet stains
family barbeque

Hailey Wimberly & Morgan Timmons

orange flame
my glasses reflect
a warm flicker

rings of lights — in my eyes
my make-up mirror flickers

Shania Dvorak & Morgan Timmons

chipped paint,
beneath it
a different time

another page turned
to read another story

Niki Curatti & Morgan Timmons

long car ride
frosted windows
become sketchbooks

can you pass
the green?

Hailey Wimberly & Niki Curatti

store bought flowers
unbloomed
in the waiting room

a snickers falls
from a4

Ashley Christensen & Niki Curatt

high tide
the child's empire
washed away

princess
left stranded

Kewvin Escobar & Niki Curatt

I dream and 
you come visit
we go flying again

and again
I'm falling

Dalton Glasco & Olivia Tharpe

her breath
the rolling waves
across her stillness

lightness
becomes heavy

Michael Santos & Olivia Tharpe

ant hill 
a hole
different world

busy busy
schedules to keep 

Kevin Escobar & Olivia Tharpe

under the blanket
taking turns telling stories
about childhood

did you believe in ghosts?
I see them everywhere

Jared Chapman & Paige Boomer

sitting in a room
filled with books
nothing to read

i stand and go over to them
and then i sit and stare at them

Dalton Glasco & Paige Boomer

spring weather
we walk through the park
catching Pokemon

i got a zumbat!
and i got another psyduck 

Kevin Escobar & Paige Boomer

I see him
in class
my heart stops

minutes ago eyes still stock on him
I wander if he still remembers me

Erika Castanon & Pascaline Muhindagiga

the setting sun
more beautiful
on your face

just relax
just relax

Niki Curatti & Pascaline Muhindagiga

waiting
for a text . . .
no new messages

wonder if he still mads at me
as I throw his phone in toilet

Erika Castanon & Pascaline Muhindagiga

I paint
over our memories
but you’re still here

carvings on the backyard oak
cryptic to someone new

Hope Klessig & Shania Dvorak

stars
in bed
asleep for the day

glow in the dark stars
she is less afraid of the dark

Niki Curatti & Shania Dvorak

high tide
the child’s empire
washed away

in the forest it comes alive
a battle begins with sticks as swords

Kevin Escobar & Shania Dvorak

blurry
she reaches for
another tissue

drip
drop

Grace Newton & Taylor Parola

save the date
the envelope
unopened

glued
shut

Kevin Escobar & Taylor Parola

in the dark—
my husband checks
his phone

ring
ring

Taylor Parola & Taylor Parola