bright flowers
bow under hot sun
dirt under my fingernails

sparkling in the light
a spider web
divorce is final

outside
pounding wind and rain
another clatter

family dog
following behind
garden treasure hunter

searching license plates
on every red truck
looking for him

yellow roses
I visit
my mom’s grave

first winter
away from home
snowflakes on my coat

gliding along
the blistered country road
pops from the cyclist

sisters huddle
in the warmth of a lamp
Grandpa's story

old-fashioned oil lamp
casts huge shadows
branches claw at the windows

motherly love
marshmallows floating
in my cocoa

newborns
brought to my bedsides
twenty toes wiggling

phone rings…
new lover glances out
the corner of his eye

grandma’s cold hand
in mine
my eyes swell up in tears

curly hair
blanky in tow
snuggle time

fire on the mountains
cars in front,
cars behind

she plays wooden flute
behind a closed door
I do not enter

a long drive
to the airport
I wipe my eyes

autumn leaves
crunching underfoot
smoke lingers

crowded airport
seeing his reflection
through every tear

cool October air
hard wood floors scratched by
heavy metal desks

grasping hand
a flitting light
only inches away

Grandma’s kitchen
of jelly jars
sweet sweet sweet

been gone so long
can’t remember
how I got here to begin

proud little hunter
catch of the day
aglow behind glass

the property line
blossoms fall
where the wind takes them

little soldiers
so neat and clean
lined up on the couch

red hot lighter in one hand
contemplation jitters
the unburned roll

autumn breeze
sprinkling rain
no more leaves falling

stretched belly
my daughters in my bed
the thrill is gone

Sunrise on the horizon
the rooster crows
fried chicken for lunch

window ledge
night breeze cools
my silent tears

dead silence
no vibrations
she stares at the cradle and buttons

at last
the children in bed
sound of the dryer

chatter throughout the rooms
blowing noses wiping tears
cancer

snowy afternoon
tail wagging
happy to see me

snow storm
up from the basement
grandpa's oil lamp

grandma’s piano
family
confined in frames

cave marionette shadows
dancing on the wall
hope or illusion?