1

wind blows 
through the balcony
shoes off

2

once friends . . .
glancing my way
I gag

Shania Yumol

3

reliable hot chocolate
and sturdy slippers
mom still warms me up

4

back rested on
a brick wall
wind turning the page

5

calling mom
her drive home
never alone

6

deceit and lies
twisting reality
the weather app

Eden Niebrugge

I liked this one because it started off very serious and I did not expect for the last line to be there. I found it funny and relatable because oftentimes the weather app is wrong about the amount of snow that will come. Helana Swenson, Spring 2025

7

rush to class
every minute
shorter than last

Sav Stringer

8

blush cheeks
we hold hands
her face wine red 

9

in and out
hook through yarn
as friends voices fill the air

Ender Ford

10

chorus of clicks
my laptop sings
the homework anthem

Sav Stringer

11

sun is setting
and to-do list still empty
sleep envelops me

Ender Ford

We didn’t talk about this one in class, but it’s very similar to mine about the daily planner. Some things bother me about it; however, I aspire to have an empty to-do list as the sun is setting. It’s a great feeling to know you don’t have anything to do tomorrow. Eden Niebrugge, Spring 2025

12

fluttering of wings
and taps of shoes
both alive

13

red light
she heads across
to the quiet side

Helana Swenson

14

birds flee
from a growling sky
the game is called

15

dying deer
hangs on the fence
sheriff pulls the trigger

Jim Wilkerson

16

through the firelight
we kiss with our eyes
an owl keeps calling

Jim Wilkerson

17

under the streetlight
two shadows
merge to one

Helana Swenson

18

tall tree
a squirrel runs up
then down

19

busy day
I take a deep breath
tying my laces

Helana Swenson

20

the dough rises
smells of fresh bread
in mom's kitchen

Helana Swenson

I loved this one because of the use of the plural "smells." The author didn't just want one sniff. They wanted multiple. I sense someone who is excited to be home, or is reminiscing about being home, and with someone who they love. It's a moment in time that the heart can dwell in the smell, or in the memory. The bread isn't just delicious-smelling because it is delicious. It is delicious because of who is cooking it. Jim Wilkerson, Spring 2025

21

unexpected phone call
she walks away
unfinished movie

Jim Wilkerson

22

a mountain of work
on the desk
a rumbling stomach

23

backyard twilight
eight deer stare when
the back door creaks

Jim Wilkerson

I can envision this very moment, although I have not experienced it myself, I have seen videos of this happening before. This territory or boundary is created by humans against animals where we own the homes we live in and is considered private property. When you live in the midwest, or near the forest, you can’t stop animals walking near your house. This unexpected meet and greet. Shaina Yumol, Spring 2025

24

end of day
my breath slows
with a blanket's hug

Sav Stringer

25

on a curb,
a squirrel challenges
my car

Eden Niebrugge

26

daily planner
empty pages
bent over

27

I am stuck 
under cellophane 
surface level bullsh*t

28

duck braves the
cold water
his friend ahead

Eden Niebrugge

29

betrayed by a friend
this grapefruit
juicy, but sour

Shania Yumol

30

open floor plan
all of my memories
from the kitchen

Shania Yumol