1

peppermint tea
warmth seeps down
down my core

2

blank white paper
a vast expanse
of words unsaid

3

Night wind howling—
another piece of myself
lost to the cold.

4

5

nursing home bed
a three-drawer dresser
all she owns

6

online acceptance letter
saving paper
or a scam?

7

Neon lights flicker—
lost in the rush of the streets,
heartbeat in the crowd

.

8

sent message
two-year apology
keep your graces

9

cardinal shakes the snow off
looks down
then up

10

towers of books 
the turn of each page
another world

11

jaw unmoving
speaking words
without a sound

12

onion soup
the longest stretch
of Swiss cheese

13

not born
until somebody
loves them

14

friend far 
from home
a lonely dinner

15

Frost on my window—
memories of Kyoto
warm my frozen hands.

16

willow tree
a slight breeze
flips the pages

17

18

a heater’s hum
snowflakes fall
backwards outside

19

raven hair
falls down her neck
a navy night

20

21

fast footsteps above
I close my laptop lid
needed again