The Journey

yellow school bus
full of strangers
faces full of tears

backpack full
with new supplies

anticipation
a ruler can’t
measure

answering the call
that must
be answered

the clock still ticks
time waits for no man

we leave
as children
adults return

Shureda Casterberry
and Pamela Kennedy

Shaved Iced

sliding across the ice
no need
for breaks

pink noses
and rosy cheeks

racing to our seat
hoping for
warm drinks

wobblily legs
achy feet
chattering teeth

laced up for
the first time

padded tushies
gliding puke
winning goal

Pamela Kennedy
and Shureda Casterberry

Snap of a Twig

Into the forest
We venture deep
Finding a place to hide

The darkness closes in
We hold hands

Under the moonlight
We gather boysenberries
And wood for fire

We pause for a break
It’s quiet
But then we hear footsteps

Slowly but surely
It steadily creeps

Crackling leaves get louder
Heart beat quickens
No place to hide

Vineece Thompson &
Michael Means

Palette

Sunny side
Over the horizon
I paint a picture

In my mind…
It’s 7 in the morning.

Clear skies and puffy clouds
The trees and grass
Wear the same green coat

From a distance
Mountains cast a shadow
Against the skyline  

Sunset approaching
It’s 7 in the evening.

Orange, pink, and purple skies
Meet briefly
Before fading to black . . .

Vineece Thompson &
Linda

Time to Eat

bright sun pierces
through the clouds
birds chirping

the kitten ears
stand in attention

wind chimes sing
the neighbors yard
little dog barking

the paperboy
on his sister's bike

smell of coffee
alarm clock buzzer
cartoons on the tv

fresh cut lawn
covered in feathers

Michael Means

Still Awake

dripping faucet
clock is ticking
racing heartbeat

bedroom door
slowly creeks open

howling wind,
an oak tree branch
taps my window

distant thunder
echoes through the mountains

Moonlight reflecting
in the mirror
an image of a man

flashes of light
ceiling fan spins

Michael Means

Ammo

weekends at grandma’s
a glorious meal
every hour

grandpa’s rilfe
above the fireplace

walks through the woods
amazed
by his knowledge

pine musk
stuck
in his flannel

grandma pulls a box
off the shelf

she says I look just like you
as we go through photos

Alex Blome &
Joshua Mysliwiec

The Heat

the sun ripples
on the warm pond’s surface
cold mud between my toes

the humid air
sunburns and bug spray

“belly flop” . . .
                        SPLASH!
there’s no school for months

mosquitos buzzing
but the kids are so happy
time to build a fire

tents and hot dogs
hearing the pop of the fire

vacation
at the family farm
I miss air conditioning

J.R. Baird & Tracy Baird

Cracker Jacks

hot dogs and beer
fresh cut grass
play ball!

winding up
the anticipation builds

the crowd settles in
the crack of the bat
the pop of the glove

nine tiny dots
in motion together
moving towards the ball

the crowd roars
the kids cry

dreams are crushed
with one simple motion
catching the ball at the wall

J.R. Baird &
Corey McKenzie

Papa’s birthday

a cool summer day
rain drops from the sky
huddled under the awning

race on the TV
waiting for the birds

smoker’s 4 hours old
music turned up loud
Where’s sissy?

Grandma PJ calling my name
as the sky turns black
I hope she can’t find me

Papa is old!
hair turning gray

What hair?
It all went away!
Do I get presents too?

Corey McKenzie
& Jensen (5 years old)

Little League

hot summer sun
beats down
he hits third base

the crowd cheers
he hits home plate

kids laughing
swinging on the monkey bars
carelessly

concession stand
line is packed
for cool treats

the wind whistles
through the grass

everyone is quiet
the coach yells
batter up

Britney Allen
& Dominick Zola

Still Awake

dripping faucet
clock is ticking
racing heartbeat

bedroom door
slowly creeks open

howling wind,
an oak tree branch
taps my window

distant thunder
echoes through the mountains

Moonlight reflecting
in the mirror
an image of a man

flashes of light
ceiling fan spins

Michael Means

Smoker

preparing for a long cook
getting up at six
full brisket on the grill

family coming over
for a big cook out

feels like work
for a hobby
it’s worth it at the end

cleaning house
for the family
just to mess it up again

maintaining temps
just like the buzz

finally husband done
setting out the food
ok let's eat

Alex Blome &
his wife