canoe on my back
feet stuck in mud
one mile to go

in the darkness
his smile
I feel ALIVE

standing in the rain
my keys
right where I left them

I gather them all
the orange leaves turn
into bag-shaped pumpkins

in search of a compass
from the attic
baby pictures of Mamaw

one by one
the chosen ones are crowned
who will be next

silent pavilion
as kids we smoked
in the darkness

brisk wind
flicking my cigar butt
into the night

sparkle of the moon
illuminates
each cemetery stone

looking up the cliff
last swimmer jumps
naked

the coldest wind
twelve steps
seem like an eternity

clapping of the thunderstorm
show stopper
in the dark

new report card
watching Mom’s face see
my sneaky smirk

the train whistle
outside my dorm window
takes me home

fingers interlocked
silence is broken
snoring

an empty play ground
no one to be seen at last a child appears--
still only one

the lake below
morning mist
gliding in

peanut butter lid
on the counter--
no longer newlyweds

open window
our conversation waits
for the passing train

in the backseat
he turns to look
but does he see me?

Maroon 5
on the jukebox—
everyone moans

the empty swings
the bare playground
summer comes to the end

country music concert
my view obstructed
by a huge mullet

last friday class
a few days
past mom's birthday

under blue neon light
the dead fly
praying

a pit stop
halfway across Death Valley:
imprints on leather seats

dark bar
the recovering alcoholic
drinks water

brisk October day
trying hard not to stare
at her nipples

beneath the sheet
my stomach jumps
as he pulls me closer

the waxing moon
in the dancing lake
silver reflections

a calm moment
among friends
dancing candles

my only reminder
of him
a folded flag

blowing out candles
while friends and family sing
. . . just a dream

shifting in bed
the pillow
burning with your heat

cold muggy wind
           #54
alumni and parents stand proud

a fight breaks out
at the Winery
coasters flying in the dark

after the heart attack
my fingers
strangers to me

pausing for breath
in the angry argument
a dial tone ... ... ...

mountain trail
in the distance, a Boy Scout
watering a rock

nightly bathroom break
he left
the seat up

clean commode,
a lovingly cooked supper:
ah, to be back home

his poor legs
can’t keep up
after the Jello shots

over the creek
testing each stepping stone
... woops!

eyes closed—
i feel her heartbeat
through her stomach

the fly won't land
i think he knows
my intentions

doing my homework
from my window
decorations

windows rolled down
on the Mountain Parkway
the air has changed

100th S. Parnell St.
the years that passed
in Chicago

high school reunion
another old girlfriend
with a new last name

graduation day
a lap for every year
memories

high school hallway
empty after the reunion
silent, heavy now