Sunday paper
an old woman
skimming the obituaries

or

Sunday paper
an old woman finding no one
in the obituaries

hot engine
     steam rises above

my car died
a g a i n.

balloons and flowers
How do you
celebrate the birthdays of the dead?

or

flowers and balloons
on a child's grave
her birthday, today

diapers
walkers
caring for an elderly parent

thirteen swollen balloons
campfires and marshmallows…
childhood

        as the SCREEN flickers,
the Woman exits
        another night’s love

full moon
through the branches
crickets chirping

cool mountain air
a struggle
to beauty

as the alarm rings
s h a t t e r e d d r e a m s
cut into my slumber

the screen door:
a spring breeze
to open and close

freshly baked cookies
chocolate chip fingerprints
fill the room

warm, wet kiss
holding lips
one instant too long

sun shines through the glass
shadows play
on the carpet

fire crackles—
the smoke
it rises to the stars

weeping willows
for the loss
of a marriage

Thirteen swollen balloons
Campfires and marshmallows…
Childhood

August evening
a cool breeze
reminds me of fall

a narrow alley . . .
another almost peaceful
midnight

autumn wind
khaki pants
to wear while raking leaves

words in the book blur
eyelids droop
time to sleep

leaves rustle in the trees
wind blows across my face
calm surrounds me