I look
out the window
too early for a run

first stretch
everything in my body
cracks

stretching
trying not to fart
yoga

my branches
swaying in the wind
tree pose

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

running
through the trails
lost in my headphones

open trail
warm sun
between the lake

my problems
chasing me
on the treadmill

working out
my relationship
in the gym

TOP half champion

CHAMPIONTOP

BOTTOM half champion

wriggly worms
wiggle in my hand
sweet or sour

they lose their heads,
their arms, their legs,
animal crackers.

fresh greens
in my blender
longing for a cheeseburger

sitting at a restaurant
enjoying a salad
are they judging me?

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

weights at my feet
glancing around
to make sure no one’s watching

standing on a scale
I lost weight!
in the mirror . . . still dissatisfied

warm or cold
rain or shine
ice cream

warmth of steam
rises from the pan
and reaches my face

I pull on the strings
of his sweatshirt.
like a marionette, he follows

peeling off a face mask
cleaning off
the week

weaving through
the conversation
on the staircase

the smell of buffalo wings
lingering
down the hall

top quarter champion

TOP half Chamption

bottom quarter champion

falling snowflakes
carry with them
stillness

windblown face
scrunched nose
walking in the winter snow

at first
the parents weren't missed
now I long for my mother's hug

parents
open arms
standing in the doorway

TOP half champion

CHAMPIONTOP

BOTTOM half champion

walking into class
I hear
my friend's voice

whirling around the dorm
the space
we started in

alarm clock sounds
not wanting to awake
stay

dozing off
pencil fallen
where has the day gone

top quarter champion

BOTTOM half champion

bottom quarter champion

they pull me out
blow off the dust
and return me to the shelf

back of the class
squinting to see
the illegible chalkboard

late night studying
my only friends
the train and the moon

i finish
my conclusion
at dawn