1

during the test
a pencil rolls slowly
off the desk

2

kid holds the snacks
in a long checkout line
frustration building

3

campfire stories
crackling sparks fly up
into the sky

4

hospital window
a child waves
to her reflection

5

mountain light
fills my window
with pine

6

after the argument
his coffee cools
beside hers

7

rain fall
I lose track of time 
in your heartbeat

8

creaky floors
mom and dad
tiptoe up the stairs

9

fairy garden
she carefully places
each stone of the path

10

rehab center
my mother
acts like a child

11

deep breath
I look at 
the mom I used to know

12

muddy shoes
we keep walking forever
in the creek

13

fragile bones
never too old
for grandpa's lap

14

cold elbows
crack the window
summer heat pours in

15

she holds my hand
my heart flutters
mutual crush

16

leash in hand
happy paws walking
on morning grass

17

keys clutched
in my hand
freedom starts today

18

rain taps the pane
outside blurred and green
quiet thoughts

19

target mirror
three bikinis on the hook
I stand sideways

20

the party ends
my body walks home first
I follow

21

new campus map
creased in my pocket
welcome to Millikin

22

scented pencils
a joy from both
past and present

23

power outage
a break from
bright distractions

24

opened fridge door
guinea pigs squeak
hoping for a treat

25

first day of school 
I nervously await 
the college classroom

26

hour drive
my sweaty palms
shake her dad's hand

27

Illinois summer 
I stand surrounded 
by cornfields 

28

old volleyball
buried in the garage corner
dust on the seams

29

quiet lake
a fish breaks apart
the reflection

30

gas station lights
flickering across wet pavement
past midnight

31

sunset colors
the last child on the playground
swings a little higher

32

grocery parking lot
a cart rolls slowly
toward the sunset

33

empty bus stop
the wind turns the page
of yesterday's news

34

pumpkin patch
mud clings
to sneakers

35

empty birdbath
the first snowflake
misses

36

grain bins
under stars
humming softly

37

black shadow
in my bedroom
staring back at me 

38

moving day
I search for my favorite
stuffed animal 

39

family bond
I walk in the nursing home
to say goodbye

40

empty bleachers
one forgotten jacket
in the breeze

41

first snowfall
footprints leading away
from the house

42

hospital hallway
the floor shines brighter
than the future

43

empty mailbox
I hear the wind carrying
old conversations

44

old house key
still hanging from my ring
after the move

45

grocery line
a stranger’s kindness stays
all afternoon

46

cracked screen
fraying the relationship 
with my selfie

47

power outage
the stars reclaim
their neighborhood

48

vultures in committee
retreating from
the murder of crows

49

spooning up
the hot fudge sundae
before it melts

50

rearview mirror
red eyes look back at me
keep driving

51

lunch table
the empty seat beside him
fills with noise

52

after class
the question follows me
down the stairs

53

ignored calls
she shrivels into her mattress
of solitude

54

graduation day
the tassel swings in the breeze—
doors opening

55

packing up every week
going from house to house
divorce

56

looking at your eyes
looking at your face
I see a little me

57

behind the wheel
driving slowly
did I pass the test

58

I'm sick
of pretty smiles and hidden tears
a faded doormat

59

church doors open with
new family
wedding party

60

chatter in the kitchen
shaping dough
into cookies