walking around as a stranger
somebody smiles at me
I am now at home 

timid wave
greeting shouted
friends forever

waiting to go on
butterflies dance in my gut
the curtain rises

clarity of the
glass window
fog of a handprint

kept warm by the fireplace
on a cold winter day
mom shares a story

plucked from the air
a firefly for me
to put in a jar

kitchen doorway
yearning eyes
look to mom

early morning dew
coats the grass
a school bus approaches 

off the school bus
picking flowers
for my mother

at the water's edge
a kayak goes in
gliding along

sitting in my seat
I look out the window 
the earth gets smaller 

a dash of sugar
plastic scraping
too sweet

Bursting through the front door
the pitter patter of little feet
I’m home again

grandfather’s rusty truck
the radio plays songs
of a once simple life

the sun slowly rising
floppy ears now
lay still

a rose has smooth edges
yet its thorns
capture her skin

bunkbeds
a jungle gym
a meeting ground

 raining outside
       all day
under my covers

empty box
red nose sore
bedtime

initials in the foundation
unspoken love
within the walls

high school cafeteria
conversation flowing
     just a book

old bumpy road      as far as the eye can see

The day’s commotion ringing in my head
dark walk-in closet
peace

complete darkness
surrounds fireflies
inside the camper

Walking the bike trail again
footprints in the snow
getting over you in the dark

curling up
under cover
alone

beams of light
dance in the yard
searching

roaring campfire
sipping wine
on sugar creek

snowy afternoon
in matching pajamas
a flour-covered countertop

laying by the fire’s warmth
hot chocolate
furry companion

poolside sunlight
glaze dripping
onto my fingers

quiet hospital room
suddenly awoke
with the crying of new life

mother waits at the door
little girl
with big flowers

Busy airport
just another face in the crowd
grateful for the journey

Sun coming up in the summer
pedaling fast
destination unknown

overcrowded and hot
waiting for Señora 
checking the black numbers on the clock 

I make my bed 
sweep sprinkled dust on the floor
for no one 

cool autumn evening
the campfire flame
our only light

sleet and rain
your hand in mine
all the time

irish twins
foot-fights
interlocked toes

sunny sugar creek
warmth of the fire
at water's edge

gifted at birth
loved
to threads