caramel colors swirl
a "good morning"
in a mug

the cool crisp air
introducing my bathing suit
to the dark attic

a beautiful garden
lies behind
a brick wall

baby brother
back at home
taller than me now

the rain is falling
dark grey clouds cover the sun
can’t I stay in bed

wrapped in sheets
pulled close
only getting closer

on tip toes
the sun
peaks over the horizon

one yellow butterfly
the last trace of snow
melting on the leaf

polka-dot dress
fixing my lipstick
for the third time

the longest line
ladies dressed to impress
all waiting to pee

                                    3am
climbing trees, never thinking
i’d feel this again

a train chugging by
lights are blinking, the horn blows
didn’t you notice?

alone i sit . . .
fingers crossed
what comes next

I felt your hands
on my skin
I woke up alone

Judge Judy gowns
walking across the stage
trying not to fall

quiet chatter
nervous foot taps
it's test day

Message Sent . . .
tension lasts 80 years
I like u 2

sharp clicks echo in unison
sweat beads on forehead
tap class

father’s breath—
the overwhelming stench
haunts my dreams

the end of the heat
the struggle of pulled reigns
teeth chattering soon

my mug is empty
you smile
and fill it full

sun setting
orange Dreamsicle
sliding off the stick

I am a star
my own spotlight
the moon

crescent moon
above the waves
sand in between toes

city boys
heads to the stars
toes in the sand

woman
keys between her fingers
afraid of man

left with
no explanation
bottle to my lips

car windows down
          my favorite music plays
                     eyes closed . . .

manicured hands
diamond ring
one broken nail

our last goodbye
take a gasping breath
with eggshell lungs

head pounding
i stare
at the hollow screen

falling
waiting
will the net appear?

5 am
peel the banana
and we're off again

leaves crunch to my beat
        alone
I walk to my first class

scales green and
slimy
shimmy by

calculating outcomes,
I lie awake staring
at the wooden slats

your lips
disappear
alongside the moon

the winding stairs
a crack
in the foundation

tall forest pines
swallow
the yellow sun

baby’s cry soothed
closing the office
the squeak of the cane

broken side mirrors
reeking of gas
how did you flip it

open wooden doors
a chapel
full of people

sitting on the train
I cannot breath
his stench

holding hands
little sister's backpack
bumps her ankles