1

older brother 
takes the front seat
growing up

2

open classroom window
the remaining sounds 
of summer

3

a pink sky
streetlights call the kids
to race home

4

criss-cross applesauce
my favorite movie helps me
see my mac n cheese

5

pool cover
held in place
my cold hands

6

in the minivan
the smell of the ocean
on our skin

7

back porch talk
you know me better than me
a mother’s heart 

8

taco truck lunch
friendship overcomes
a language barrier

9

a new life
drawing near for us all
then the baby wails

10

hello my friend
a handshake
two peas in a pod

11

a hot dog
with ketchup and pickle
in need of a miracle

12

matted hair brush 
how it feels to be loved
not forgotten

13

dew on the grass
a dandelion blooms
ready or not

14

four new walls
mom and dad
hate saying goodbye

15

crickets chirp
a van gogh painting 
reflected above

16

step off the dock
loosen a knot
bobbing to and fro

17

ready or not
backpacks unzip
muscle memory

18

birds singing 
through the open window
five more minutes

19

a fish out of water
wandering
to find a home

20

people talking
a leaf in the wind
trying to fit in

21

crowded street
millions of faces
it’s always you

22

leaving again
driving down the highway
3 more years

23

crisp morning air 
taking too many stairs 
life’s not fair 

24

seagulls on the beach 
kids in a candy store 
eyeing treasures

25

summer heat
my new backpack
full of books

26

snowflakes
on frosted cheeks 
stargazing

27

I learn to speak 
the bell rings 
cross the stage

28

squeeze my sisters
the door shuts
it’s quiet

29

sun behind the houses
uniform in my bag
almost time to rest

30

talking all night
feeling connected
to my dad

31

as nighttime falls
voices go quiet
leaving the world to rest

32

new haircut
does not look great
maybe in 5 days

33

fingers dance on keys
my jealous feet
long for freedom

34

our shoulders bump passing by 
     second bell rings 
eyes meet as papers fly

35

my name announced 
I walk the stage 
future in my hands

36

swan song
cicadas scream
one last symphony

37

stiff fingers
run along keys
insecurity

38

scorching pavement
pausing to cool
in tree-dotted shadows

39

time running out
a metronome
of fear

40

voices silenced
the setting sun
demands our gaze

41

the quad grass
sun reflects
on my laptop

42

in my childhood bed
the mirror reveals
a 20 year old

43

rays of sunlight shine
through the canopy
silence

44

you are home
I hug and cry
six months I’ll never get back

45

birthday cheer
the candles flicker
dad nowhere near

46

lead foot
gas pedal
can’t get up for air

47

classes begin 
I am asleep
on open highway

48

bright summer morning
lawnmower lullaby
eyes close again

49

morphing colors
a flash of green
there she goes

50

summer bonfire
starless sky
gains another cloud

51

neck and neck
student section full
seats empty

52

woman in a steel box
children don't know
how to be somber

53

packing the car
everyone offers
to help

54

matching lunch boxes
line the classroom
my brown paper bag