1

all alone . . .
under a dark blue sky 
what’s it like on Mars?

2

summer carnival
the Ferris wheel stops
just as we hold hands

3

the kiss ends—
and now the moon
won’t look at me

4

just home
welcoming neighbors
a home cooked meal

5

on the ground
a penny tails up    flip it
I just lost a dime

6

grandpa’s basement
forgotten records and
dusty VHS tapes

7

iron in my hands, 
power rises with each lift, 
limits redefined

8

UnEvEn BaRs
flying like a single bird
in the open sky

9

his name lingers
on my lips
a bad aftertaste

10

candy canes
4 red lights
never coming home

11

wind burned skin
icy trees
alone again

12

Kings provide for all
so Queens can move freely
an old man’s game

13

smoke emerges
in a summer night
all circling a fire

14

under the bar’s warm glow
beer foam fades
my love with it

15

when it becomes
too much to bear
I close my eyes and pray

16

blue comforter
tucked in at my neck
drifting away

17

winds roaring
white snow
rushing over the body

18

wrapped around
her silk blanket
dreams of the future

19

moonlit stream—
shadows ripple
on the quiet stones

20

breath of dawn—
a single cloud
breaks the silence

21

breathe in
breathe out
why does it hurt so

22

old jeans
don’t fit
new diet

23

in the dark
my children
are the light

24

footfalls align,
heartbeat steady—
the trail is mine

25

lifting weight
thinking
off my smaller self

26

take your time
I should’ve listened
to what mom said

27

sweating through
my shirt
does it pay off

28

long day at work
a clear mind
on a bike

29

alarm set for 9:30
on a weekend morning
one hour getting out of bed

30

backyard playground
stuffing into the old fort
to meditate

31

winter wind
my face numb
nose hair crystalized

32

nothing in my head
warm blanket on my lap
at peace

33

running with a dog
unknown he is making me
a better version

34

bay leaves
in frying pans
better than takeout

35

go ahead
crank the ignition
to turn the page

36

rock, paper, scissors
what we watch
on television

37

you assured me
I could eat
the last slice of pizza

38

my addiction
golden and fluffy
biscuits

39

I’m not depressed
I do
yoga

40

reading a book
transformed
to another world

41

hiking on the first date —
he looked taller
in his photos

42

slush on my face
what a pretty smile
I’ll keep it safe

43

another date—
I never know
what I want

44

book ends.
reader waits for the next book
release

45

wind blowing
hands turning red
in the cold

46

abandoned playground
swings move
without children's weight

47

snowflakes fall gently
on empty playground swings
echoes of laughter

48

morning run 
heartbeat syncs with steps 
a new day

49

we sip
one milkshake
two straws

50

red. . .
a state of confession
on top of the roofs

51

watch the waves
the wild white caps
slap the bow

52

evening walk 
under the setting sun 
calm descends

53

mindfulness—
restless minds, chatter
loud as ever

54

she hardly knows
how hard it is
to be this chill

55

the sun returns
to storm-beaten paths—
i breathe again

56

butterflies—
heart flutters 
I found the one 

57

blind date
check please!
didn't see that coming

58

short-haired hound
finds footing in
the snow trenches

59

it’s ok to be alone
364 days a year    but that day
not so much

60

splashing in the puddle
in my school clothes
mom will be mad

61

downward dog
imagining dreams
of a near future

62

dirty band aid
a week-old scare
yet to scab

63

she gets me
I get her
platonic soulmates