misty night
the street light
exposes me

withering moon
tell me . . .
where to next

creek walk
following footprints . . .
to a dead racoon

it will be okay
say it with me
it will be okay

the stars fade
behind the misty clouds
our love

quiet bench
only a leaf sits
on the rusted metal

leaves wave to me
as I walk
to the edge

out of the woods
a monster 
I’ve fought before

acoustic air
the sound of laughter
bounces in the breeze

town festival
a mother and her boy
their hands untangle

night reminded me of you
until I remembered
I have me.

dirty old canvas
alone and disregarded
I paint it over

indoor girl
I should
get out more

sky blue eyes
I dive deeper
darkness takes over

strolling slowly
hair soaked
not a care

I am the Moss
the way she sticks
to long dead things

I long to be alone
to know the trees at twilight
male privilege

in the distance
I hear a voice
that will not answer

she shows herself in blooms
breathe deep
the Goddess is alive

I stayed strong
for you
but what about me

a map
that forgets to
show me happiness

grocery store
oh donuts!
What was I looking for?

I am responsible for
my own happiness.
seeds planted and sewn.

no time to think
and no time to breathe,
he is my only release

long distance
hoping to finish together
trying not to trip

places I’ll never feel
sidewalk cracks
my mother’s back

Labor Day hike
sun slips through the trees
my fingers slip between yours

but what happens
when the pencil fades?
will you fade, too?

quiet drive
24-hour donut drive through
slam the brakes!

the largest constellations
found in her
sunken eyes

the house creaks
one less sound
with you gone

overgrowing tendrils
hidden from the gaze of floaters:
keep out.

you and I
cheap wine and reality TV
hands clasped tight

dusty scrapbook
echoes of a song you don’t
quite remember the words to

. . . even Holden Caufield
took a sharp breath
had to look away

the sky gently captures the smoke
from the cigarettes
and tears

oak tree.
how many rings
are at your center?

a long walk at night
to clear
a full mind

red light.
how could it have been different?
green light.

summer’s final cicadas
a leaf tangos with
the breeze

his hand swings by his side
and suddenly
my hand swings too

I knew it was true
ever since the love songs
became about you

flour falls
through my hands
onto an empty plate

doors held open
it's never felt
like this before

yearning wail of the oboe “a”
extends to me
a lifeline

intoxicated
carried by waves
whales breach

 
a scream cuts the tranquil spider web

in the trees
a flicker
not alone

twist . . .
of an ankle
you’re out.

in my shoe
a pebble
i hobble on

field of green
a sunflower
stands above the rest

clicks and clacks
rolling over cracks
broken backs

swing set and slides
all the kids
are inside

a bird’s song
I sing it back
no response

the gentle breeze
rocks me back and forth
like my mom used to

fly caught
in a spider’s web
what was your plan?

crescent moon
burnt pink sky
we drive

static
between phone calls
the distance seems farther

sunshine
only stripes of it
hit the ground

my pocket
holds all my friends
and sometimes, self-worth

two hands
too close together
to not be one

sunlight falls
through the trees
the bark of a dog

the chill of late September
I pick the fruit
of Aphrodite

a jagged sidewalk
not enough to see
skinned knee

nonchalant stream
we sit
in the grass

day break
my alarm is
the morning dove

I cannot
stay still
music’s in the air

every single word
you say to me is somehow
always the right thing

a simple look
my heart beats
faster

little sprites
flying in the night
such mischief

a heavy downpour
in a sea of black umbrellas
I carry Red

overturned log
the little boy becomes
a cricket nymph

on father’s feet
a living room dance
an Elvis cassette

ear pressed to the floor
for the music
below

kayak companion
the black ant makes it
over my leg

the grimy floor
swept
for no one

there is a line
between soreness and pain
I can’t feel my legs

one foot
after the other
move on

if only you were here
to enjoy the night sky
with me

the sky
my confidant
my friend

i love my friends
but
i can never say no

unexpected wisdom
under a military crew cut
I will press on

the creek gurgles
a melody
dammed with trash

double rainbow
growing from the Pacific
butts out