1

a tornado
ripped through our home
the house remains

2

black dress
a hotel room
in an unknown city

3

off the path
a hidden trail
to an oasis

4

mother's tears
in a cold room
empty crib

5

the gusting wind
droopy sunflowers
gone brown

6

darkening clouds
drops of water
gather on her skin

7

drops of rain
shoes become wet
wishing to be inside

8

in a crowded room
searching for one face
familiar

9

tulips fold shut
as they both walk
separate ways

10

butterfly
how many days
have you seen the sky

11

warm air
skintight
eager for the last leg 

12

looking 
both ways twice
cross with her in mind

13

hunched over 
a ditch 
the fish just swims 

14

empty trail
my footsteps
fill the silence

15

hospital window
a child
draws the sun

16

tires screeching
car flies by
a trust fund baby

17

a dog next to 
a grave 
where'd you go? 

18

a gloomy bar 
popcorn wafts 
through the air 

19

empty ball field
last year's glove
left in the dugout

20

empty ball field
a single ball left
in left field

21

hiking trail at dusk
my shadow walks ahead
like it knows the way

22

walk in the evening
the moon follows
but says nothing

23

old kitchen clock
hands frozen
at supper time

24

a folded blanket
still holds the shape
of her nap

25

two plates set
full of food 
she sits alone

26

dull home
the only child
alone again

27

fast traffic
tall buildings
look down on me

28

early morning orange sky
lacing up the shoes
on the toddlers

29

not too hot
not too cold
perfect day to be on the pitch

30

running so fast
can’t catch my breath
have to beat my goal

31

sun sets 
on cloudy skies 
my mind at ease

32

picking at scabs
old memories
bleed through

33

cars wiz by
deep airy breath
stride, stride, stride

34

dark desk
my reflection
in distorted colors

35

I turn left I turn right 
ghosts wait just the same 
Pacman

36

bars built from your thoughts 
no escape from what’s within 
alcatraz 

37

I feel red
but when he looks at me
I forget why

38

video call ends
my face stops smiling
I miss her already

39

Monday morning
I check my phone
missed the bus

40

I wave goodbye
realizing too late
they didn’t see

41

a slow moving stream
looks still until . . .
the minnows dancing

42

home from swimming
the bathroom dance
for ear drops

43

quiet prairie night
only frogs and crickets speak
after a long day

44

cool morning dew
lacing up the new runners
the world pushes back beneath me

45

a heavy rain stops
time to splash around
the neighborhood

46

branches creaking 
we laugh on 
the swing 

47

first campfire spark
their laughter
follows the smoke

48

animal bones
scattered in the forest
a puppy brings one home

49

pallbearers stand
near the casket
inside jokes

50

creaking footsteps
pacing downstairs
home alone

51

a single tulip 
her fingers 
tremble