3 generations
return to
the old farmhouse

second Thanksgiving 
boyfriend’s family 
welcomes me in

halfway through the drive—
did anyone grab
the apple pie?

Thanksgiving morning
coffee in the kitchen
calm before the storm

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

I lick the spoon 
without mom 
noticing 

cooking with mom
she still asks 
if I want to lick the spoon 

old robe hung
on the kitchen door
flour fingerprints

homemade pasta
secret ingredient
sugar

TOP half champion

CHAMPION
 

BOTTOM half champion

bowing our heads 
I hear 
Grace say grace 

Thanksgiving dinner
stuffing my face
to keep my mouth shut

an empty chair
for my oldest sister
and slightly bigger portions

Thanksgiving dinner 
I guess I have 
a new aunt

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

turkey leg
surrounded by three dogs
piranhas

sink full of dishes
ignored for the day
after the food

after lunch slump 
who will knock  
their domino first 

pie for breakfast
grandma says
she won't tell

arrived early
blocked in
forced to leave last

driving home
still enough room
for Wally’s ice cream

not my stadium
but my team 
Chiefs win

national dog show on TV
my uncle's dogs
on my lap

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

meeting up with old friends
trying to outdo
story after story

an old friend
tells all
the small town rumors

bomb dropped
at the dinner table
you bought a house where?

2am 
siblings catch me up 
on family drama 

TOP half champion

CHAMPION
 

BOTTOM half champion

putting up the tree
childhood ornaments
paper handprints

the new dog
makes toys
out of christmas decorations

holiday tree lighting
Santa
is my summer boss

little girls again
mom and i impulsively
get our ears pierced

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

first snow
the last unraked leaves
ice over

the trees bare
leaves left
just as you did

hometown weight room
embarrassed to do
coach's workout

bitter cold
huddling together
for our annual photo