sisters gather for thanksgiving
a cameo appearance of mother
in the prayer

collapsing onto my floor
he tenderly unties
my boots

grandparents got here early
mom screams
at my brother

late night drive
his hand rests on my shoulder—
Home.

adding up the guest list
how many pounds
of turkey?

new son-in-law
the only one who likes
turkey wings

sitting alone
all I have
are the dust mites

cars on the interstate
forever thinking
this was built for war

chilled morning
surrounded by
Spanish moss

basketball on the television
bouncing
between families

on the couch
the slow turning
of the train

wishing to be dragonflies
inseparable
unlike us

gooey fingers
reach for
another cinnamon roll

a familiar tune from the radio
at least you exist
in the photos

i hate that i
need You
dependent clause

it was supposed to be a joke
the fragile girl
cracks

gelato in one hand
your arm in the other
we go from shop to shop

parade float
The Black Eyed Peas
still exist?

waking up
dad asks how many pancakes
I want

gold ring
wrinkled hand
she remembers

faded blue denim
the resting place
for old leather gloves

deer carcass
ten minutes after arrival
I am holding a knife

grandpa passes wisdom
through the generations
fresh caramel

powdered bruise
all   my fault
he didn’t mean it

puppy kisses
greet me
as I walk in the door

younger cousin
doesn’t believe
I took her nose

call of the crow
I turn to see
him following me

older brother
eating dinner
like he never went away

grey overcast
a robin picks
at the last of the seeds

midnight drive
the moon and the stars
gossip

hot cocoa
around the fire
your arms around me

so much
we thought we could be
you don’t answer your phone

obnoxious stories
at least i'm not as sad
as i used to be

Fleetwood Mac on shuffle
friends by my side
bliss

family politics
i never liked turkey
anyway

we counted the minutes
until we saw each other
new haircut

old Playstation
we never beat
the final boss

dandelion blooms
an unexpected text
blanks my mind

quiet night at home
surrounded by a company
of one

dandelion
I’ve lost count
of the wishes I’ve made

movie recommendation
i only watch it
to make you happy

early morning rehearsal
i put on
my favorite green shirt

midnight anxiety attack
you tell me it is okay
if it happens again

baby kitten
a semester older
does not recognize me

fogged glasses
it's better
anyway

left on the ground
abandoned in the snow
mechanical pencil

 
family gathers a child again

dirty window
smudging
a better view

pretending to love
for the sake of grandma
say cheese

dry turkey
dished out
with a smile

steaming casserole
not the only thing
that’s baked

lost in the night
where the sun never sets
i talk to the birds

flipping through my journal
I meant every word
of my distorted angst

phone number
memorized
i'm sent to voice mail

talking with grandmother
I text my love
telling him to hurry

white belly of a hawk
alone on a bare branch
waiting . . .

income statement
grandfather’s tarnished watch
passed down to me

never getting the chance
to return the favor
late payables

homecooked food
didn't know how good
I had it then

stuck at the kid's table
I'm forced
to lead the prayer

cold oatmeal
on the metal spoon
exhaustion

boyfriend's sweatshirt
he can't be here
for the appointment

fifth visit
i have
my favorite nurse

oil stained denim
against the old washboard
soldier suds

babydoll dress
in the old cedar chest
still smelling of Chanel

paper winter skies
the meds
stopped working

friday night
i watch my friend’s funeral
from the audience

lactose intolerance
will not stop me
m&m milkshake

hippo campus melody
getting lost in
memories of yesterday

green grass hidden under
colorful blankets
a picnic date

quiet morning
snow covered
save

heavy snowfall
the deer's tail
hangs on the hunter’s side

ocean waves
they hide
in her eyes

mountaintop view
a perfect moment
of highs and lows

footprints in the sand
i stop to examine
bigfoot

amethyst sky
one by one
street lamps flicker on

hand in hand
they run into the house
summer downpour

wet hair soaks my shirt
as I cook
mom’s favorite breakfast

yellow bouquet
he only buys
her favorite color

the smallest ring—
the best he could afford
but I still love it

being dumb
it’s easier to say
i’m blonde

in your eyes
Van Gogh stars
paint the sky

cold toes
warm heart
I sit wrapped in your robe

thunderstorm
shaking
the plane

watching my cousins
close the gate
temporary seniority

morning run
thinking of when
I went to you

lights out
it takes two attempts
to kiss on the lips

icy glance
the words freeze
in my chest

unsure
i water
the dead plant

one week later
she goes after grandpa
in her sleep

shooting pains
we massage our wrists
in just the same way

honey on the table
shining bear
sweetest in the room

mountain top
the view was worth
the climb

bursting dam!
the water
redirects
               its flow

punk rock niece
her enthusiasm wearing
silver curls

away at college
thinking of our reunion
less
and less

he has no neck
but his gentle guitar
will suffice

the world spins backwards
drinking too fast
I am the good wife

oh hello!
laughing on the air mattress
midnight

is love real
feeling like a trick
each time

fried green tomatoes
family and friends
coexist

snow angels in the yard
right next to your
grave