1

we sit in class 
silently  
picking at our skin

2

two birds sing 
they share a cage looking
to the mountains

3

walking through graveyards 
silent as possible
unknown names float about

4

family dinner 
inflatable mattress  
late night movie 

5

raindrops dripping
the snap of a for sale sign
in the breeze

6

for better or worse
the metal ring
too cold

7

fresh shoelaces
class schedules shared
across the table

8

my last day at work 
i turn off the lights
one last time

9

all moved in 
my parents say goodbye
on my own

10

the creek flows
we stop again
there’s always tomorrow

11

my phone lights up
i know instantly
who it is

12

walking longer halls
new faces every day
this is college

13

from permit to license
i am on my own
freedom of the open road

14

I wake again
clutching home-scented blankets
my heartbeat steadies

15

a breeze carries away
our thoughts of dinner
deer family in their clearing

16

swarming Marlboro smoke
sticky front door lock
grandma’s house

17

mom, mom, mommy
she picks her up
but I’m over here . . .

18

the U-Haul stops in 
the long driveway
a red carpet to home

19

once entangled
now
a known stranger

20

stars come out to play
I hear crickets chirping 
deep in thought

21

bed finally made
my door creaks shut 
until December

22

I come back to you 
blink 
the train passes by

23

the final note
silence lingers
a roaring applause

24

the song begins
with thoughtless ease
my fingers fly

25

she gets out 
the colors change 
it's different 

26

the soft embrace 
gives me pause 
reset 

27

new supplies packed
a restless sleep
beep, beep, beep

28

a long car journey
as I witness
the ever changing landscape

29

the body relaxes
out of pace with the mind
upon reaching Home

30

the waves crash
on my legs in the sand
an ocean sunrise

31

my kite starts to soar
a momentary satisfaction
before it plummets

32

proudly holding out cash
I order two sodas
one for me, one for my dad

33

the roar of the
four-wheeler
where are we

34

sitting in a restaurant
friends chatting
I drown out the noise

35

midday sun
cicada siren
run, run, run

36

laughter in the room
a beep, code blue
deafening quiet now

37

get in the car
say goodbye
to your home

38

new faces enter the building
with heavy backpacks
line for Einstein’s out the door

39

warm air through Shilling
lamp post glowing
bright as the stars

40

as the sun dips below 
my mother calls
the end of a fun day

41

        hot pink tulle
    seven years young
skate ramp fashion show

42

the sun rising behind
a door looming ahead . . .
hesitation

43

wide eyes 
patiently await the bubbles
to flip

44

like ants in a hill
students at college
to each one, their job

45

graduation day
the gathering of our friends
for the final time

46

I love you
said way too soon
but I feel it back

47

beaming sun  
we sit together  
dreaming

48

pack it up
move it away
feelings come out

49

pancakes
crispy edges
made with care

50

car filled with boxes
waiting by the stairs
no volunteers to lift

51

the school bus
driving away from the house
another year of memories