1

intrusive thoughts 
where did they find 
the key

2

whispers
dig deep
as they engulf me

3

the more thought i give it 
the bigger it 
grows

4

not enough
blondes 
hold the throne

5

lie awake mid night
not smart enough
for nursing school

6

guarding her mind 
with care 
daily affirmations 

7

falling to the floor
despair
the paint is chipping

8

sunbeams on your chest
tracing their shape
before you go

9

scabs on my fingers
from picking apart
intrusive thoughts

10

tape my mouth shut
so I can't say
the wrong thing

11

alone to my thoughts
crickets sound outside 
what if

12

he laughs 
memories flash
i shouldn't go back 

13

worst night of my life
pencil sharpener in hand 
i want to snap

14

new thoughts, old patterns
secondhand smoke
on my mom's hoodie

15

balcony confrontation
white knuckle the railing
l'appel du vide

16

free will
itches
my throat

17

steal candy
from a baby
intrusive thoughts

18

I turn the key 
and convince myself 
I didn’t lock the door

19

mind racing
the last thing
he ever said to me

20

stress clean
my bathroom
— head full of shit

21

dead flowers 
has it really been 
that long

22

thoughts run wild 
unable to turn them off
I go for a walk 

23

a new reality 
unable to put 
the book down 

24

his arm hangs 
off the door frame 
i should bite it 

25

bite my tongue 
swallow my teeth
this teenage anger

26

in a crowded room 
breaking glass 
just a thought

27

they giggle 
I turn 
about me?

28

quiet classroom
loud laughter 
sorry

29

ca'nt seem to erase 
what I’ve seen 
what could’ve happened 

30

the clouds swirl
I did/n’t
love you

31

one person 
     one plate . . .
          shatters

32

sun and moon
      blue to white
   I see “M”

33

door opening
she's finally here
where have you been

34

driving at midnight
streetlights overhead
where did the time go

35

heart growing fonder
seeing your life
through texts

36

two cold weathers 
      only to see . . .
            family

37

sleep through alarms
a wet nose
needs to go potty

38

my first job
serving the table
I used to regular

39

green toothbrush
in my cup
for when she stays the night

40

new girlfriend
her birthday
on his story

41

she called it
“sunny rain”
the way I’d light up

42

breathe in
breathe out
finally home

43

sleeping roommate
the door
creaking bloody murder

44

over a week of being apart
he texts to ask
if we can talk

45

turning the thermostat down
to start the fireplace
artificial winter

46

arm hole by arm hole
a coat of wings
my guardian angel

47

wide awake tonight
missing your snores
keeping me up

48

post-argument
arms around my waist
after our storm

49

campfire stories
the pop and sizzle
of a burning marshmallow

50

spring break road trip
with the sister
I always wished I’d had

51

tap tap tap
I drift away
lost in a prayer

52

we pick a spot of freshly dried grass
in Fairview
class dismissed.

53

Sunday sunrise—
24 more hours of
freedom

54

homework in my room 
the sun sets 
on another wednesday

55

bar light dims
the regulars
lurk

56

towel on the door 
waiting by the phone 
haven’t heard from you

57

rooftop panic
willow in the back
to clear my head

58

syncing my heart
to a fading
light

59

still in our pajamas
lazy morning
in our bed

60

in love with
sorority sisterhood,
or perhaps just her

61

money plate
passed around
not a dollar from me

62

twin size bed
hold me
close

63

summer sun
fades into blue 
alone with the thought of you

64

silence between us
dad hugs 
a fresh start 

65

my hero 
not who they used to be
my villain

66

hospital bed
I lie with my best friend
watching each strand thin

67

pink polka-dot
rain jacket
found in the attic

68

New Year’s Eve
blow out
missed the kiss at midnight

69

holding the football
for Charlie Brown
dad never shows

70

sprint behind the television
share a kiss
before we're caught

71

bathroom stall
a note about the dance
hearts instead of titles

72

your fingerprints
on my rear view mirror
all that remains of us