1

dead winter leaves
crunch under my feet
in the back of my mind
it’s supposed to be
snow

2

the way grandma
calls grandpa’s name
real slow, cranking up
the volume like
a tornado siren

3

only one allowed
I hold her hand
laughter as
the piercing needle
goes in

4

the necklace
that once resembled
love and adoration
now echoes of
control

5

this was
supposed to be easier,
this semester.
my to-do list 
longer than santa's

6

moving plants
from house to house
like a child caught
in the middle of a divorce,
their leaves no longer green.

7

spreading the jam
to the edges
you smile
I’d make the world spin backwards
if I thought it might please you

8

falling on hard times
a gentle reminder
rooted in struggle
we are . . .
human

9

birds sing their songs
in the early morning
quiet hours
while I choke on the perfume
of your funeral flowers

10

a wistful, aged smile
asking the internet
why
I find old people
so cute

11

crew cut
and khaki pants
mother’s idea
of my
school avatar

12

teacher reads
his poetry
I remember how
my father
read to me