Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Wedding Album

Today is my wedding anniversary (well, technically yesterday the 29th was, since it's now after midnight). I wrote this piece for my husband and gave it to him as a gift. I was in the mood to write some prose. I gave him the choice, and he said that he wanted me to post it...that he loved it and wanted me to share it. :) So... this is for Derek. Happy anniversary, sweetheart.

After the writing, I've included a few of the photographs mentioned as well as a recent picture of the two of us.
*****************************************************************

Hundreds of photographs are spread across our bed, like a patchwork quilt of faces. How many times have I looked at these photos over the years? The flowers, the cake, the white dress…the beginning. I used to flip through them and reminisce about that day, thinking about all the precious little details that went into it. Now, though, on the eve of our eighth anniversary, I find myself scanning these familiar, glossy images and for once, I am not thinking about the wedding. These pictures now evoke something deep inside of me, something that goes far beyond a single day's events.

I used to look at these pictures and see the candles, their tiny flames illuminating the aisles of the sanctuary. Now I see my husband’s face, shining with a love so deep and pure as he holds our baby girl for the first time. I see her lying in his arms, still pink and new. I see his eyes burning into me and looking as if he’s seeing me for the first time, his intense stare saying the “I love you” that his speechless lips cannot yet form.

I used to feel the smooth texture of the veil slipping over my face as he lifted it to kiss me ever so gently, but also with the intensity of knowing that I was now his flesh and blood. Now I feel the cold surface of the doorway as I lean into it, watching helplessly as he says goodbye to his hero. I see him there, kneeling by the bedside of his father, unselfishly whispering, “It’s alright. You can let go. We’re going to be fine.” Forever branded into my mind is the image of his hazel eyes, the green amplified on this particular day, holding back the tears that I could not. I feel the shudder deep inside of me as his father slips from this world, still holding my husband’s hand, and once again I encounter a stabbing pain deep in my chest-the pain that comes with knowing that all the love I feel for this man cannot bring his father back to him.

I used to hear “Canon in D” coming from a distant piano, floating in the air around me and meshing with the sounds of my own shallow breaths. I would recall with a smile my respiratory rhythms as I waited behind those closed doors, syncopated by the occasional deep inhaling that came after reminding myself, “Just breathe.” Now, a sly grin spreads across my face as I hear the sound of our feet, pitter-pattering down the long hallway, stopping only once for a passionate embrace and a lingering kiss on my neck. I hear the "shhhhh" escape from my mouth as we try not to wake the toddler asleep at the foot of our bed and I feel my pursed lips bending into a smile as he ignores my scolding and laughs out loud once again. I hear his heartbeat, indistinguishable from mine, as we make love on the living room floor.

I still think about our wedding from time to time, but far more often I think about our marriage- about the life we’ve lived together since the last rose petal dropped. My thoughts turn, not to the promises we made, but instead to the ways in which we have kept them, broken them, forgiven each other, and strived to keep them once again. I understand now that marriage is not a vow made with words on a Saturday afternoon. It is a continual act of loving and learning and becoming one. It’s more than a few fading photographs lying on our bed. It is the vibrant portrait we paint each day in living color.








Sunday, December 27, 2009

Friday, December 25, 2009

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

winter solstice-
the sun's distance
irrelevant
when enjoying
the nearness of you
(Welcome home, Mr. Riggs.)

Sunday, December 20, 2009

tossing in the sheets-
cold, moonless night
absent of dreams

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

28

When all is stripped away-
the make-up, the pretense,
and my little black dress
lies wrinkled on the floor…
do you still see me?

When the mirror reveals
these soft lines now lingering
around my eyes, sure to deepen
in the coming years…
do you still see me?

When the girl I was,
living somewhere deep inside,
is lost in the curved sillouette
of the woman I’ve become…
do you still see me?

When this decade of adulthood
begins to show on my face,
a knowing expression replacing
the innocence that captured you-
do you still see me?

When the daylight has faded
along with every distraction,
and you hold me like it’s the first time
and kiss me like it’s the last,
that’s when I see you…seeing me.

(Today is my 28th birthday. "A decade of adulthood"...and still so much to learn. This is dedicated to my husband, who after all these birthdays celebrated together, still sees me and loves me everyday. The feeling is mutual.)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

malevolent wind
rattles my Christmas spirit-
bills in the mailbox

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

December Dreams

tangled in twilight,
enchanted by the moon
as it slowly rises
over treetops that sway
in the warm breeze,
thick with honeysuckle scent-
watching this waltz
of leaves and light,
I, too, am moved
by the rhythm
of sunset turning to dusk,
of thoughts turning to dreams,
and touched by the heartbreak
of fireflies becoming illusions,
of June becoming December
at the sound of my alarm...

Monday, December 7, 2009

sleeping
in the middle of the bed-
absent moon
(Missing him...ten weeks down, two to go...I'm getting weary.)

Friday, December 4, 2009

sand and waves
become pillow and sheets-
cursing the rooster
*************************************
sun glistens
on the frost-covered ground-
first morning kiss
***************************************
midnight whispers
echo deep inside-
daylight moon
heartbeats mesh
with hard rain on the rooftop-
night rhythms

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

A Note from Old Man Winter...

I arrive in the dead of night
when the world is still and void of light
and unaware, you lie in bed
with dreams of summer in your head-
all shimmering and bright...

And when you wake to find me here,
that sad expression will appear,
the one that says, "Oh no! Not yet!"
Oh, how quickly you forget
what beauty ends the year.

So quietly, like each December
I abide while you remember
the lovely sound of crunching snow
and crackling fires, all aglow-
first spark to final ember...

And pale moonlight, soft on your skin
that blush of pink, warmth from within
as you stroll through my icy field
and bare tree limbs, their souls revealed,
beguile you once again.

Of course I know that seasons fade
and the first red bloom or bright green blade
will likely your affections steal-
just don't forget the true appeal
of snowflakes on parade.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

in her brown eyes,
I see twinkling lights and
pure joy reflected-
decorating
the evergreen...

Friday, November 27, 2009

Thursday, November 26, 2009

gathered together,
we give thanks and raise a toast
to family-
sweet tea
in paper cups

Monday, November 23, 2009

your shadow
meshes with mine-
bedtime stories


holding you
in the quiet hours-
pillow talk


into our bed
she crawls-three foot tall
alarm clock

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Exhale

Finding myself
at the end of a day
that felt like three-
water rushes into the tub
as thoughts rush out
of my crowded mind.

Steam rises and I carefully slip
into my own little pool
of tranquility-
enveloped in warmth,
breathing in and out,
the sweet aroma
of lavendar and serenity.

At once I am forced
to make a deliberate choice
not to notice
my chipped toenail polish
or the size of my hips,
perhaps a half inch closer
to the side of the tub
than this time last year…

"No," I say to myself-
to-do lists and little vanities
will be there tomorrow...
In this moment I decide
only to listen to these soft bubbles
bursting on my skin
and the exhale of a day’s end,
not a moment too soon.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

hooked on
his intoxicating charm-
crescent moon

Friday, November 20, 2009

Crooked

I posted this haibun a few days ago. I made some changes to it (Don't you love the process of writing? Some pieces are ever-evovling). Here is the new version. I just received word that it is going to be published in the Spring 2010 volume of Simply Haiku. I've very excited!

"I'm a crooked kind of perfect," she wrote in her journal when asked to describe herself. My students never cease to amaze me. What insight! What wisdom! Eleven years to her credit and she has already accomplished what took me almost three decades. There for the world to see is her brave declaration of self-acceptance, scribbled in number-two lead. I only wish I had learned to love my own beautiful imperfections at such a tender age. I print an 'A' in red ink at the top of the page, giving her so much less than she has given me.

knowing smile-
her braces
catch the light

Monday, November 16, 2009


autumn dreams of spring-
eagerly awaiting
the first rose bud

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Take Me...

Take me away
to some secret place
where moonlight
shines...
falls...
drips onto my skin,
like silver raindrops- sliding
to that part of my cheek
where your hand takes over...

Take me away
to some shadowy place
where darkness
whispers...
lures...
hides us from the world,
'til I can only feel-seeing
you, not with my eyes,
but with my fingertips...

Take me away
to some quiet place
where silence
lives...
breathes...
inspires us to listen
closer than ever before-hearing
the music we make
when all the noise is gone...

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

finding myself
alone with Otis Redding
and cheap red wine-
“These Arms of Mine”
hold your empty pillow

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

"I'm a crooked kind of perfect," she wrote in her journal when asked to describe herself. My students never cease to amaze me. What insight! What wisdom! Eleven years to her credit and she has already accomplished what took me almost three decades. There for all the world to see in number two lead lies her brave declaration of self-acceptance. I only wish I had learned to love my own beautiful imperfections at such a tender age. I scribble an 'A' in red ink at the top of the page, giving her so much less than she has given me. The teacher becomes the student once again.

caterpillar
finds her voice-
who needs wings?

Sunday, November 8, 2009

his grin says it all-
autumn morning spent speaking
our secret language
(in response to Paul's post on Paper Moon today...and of course, dedicated to my husband Derek)

Saturday, November 7, 2009

talking to myself-
a robin pecks away
at dead wood

Thursday, November 5, 2009

memories,
like ghosts in the closet,
remnants of our past-
a prom dress tucked away
in a dusty box
*************************************************
I blush
thinking about the promise
of tomorrow-
a new red dress
I haven't shown you yet...
***************************************************
(For my husband)

Monday, November 2, 2009

the distant moon
uncovered as clouds move
into November-
yesterday's mask
discarded

Saturday, October 31, 2009

no need for moonlight-
feeling your chest rise and fall
in the dark

Thursday, October 29, 2009

leaves fall from
rustling branches-she feels
his hand let go

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

their faces
greet me at the classroom door
like sun through the clouds-
hoping they can't see
the rain in me

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Thursday, October 22, 2009

hours later
your scent lingers
on my shirt-
exhaling
to forget

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

dog, child, scattered thoughts-
hearing them all, forgetting
the sound of silence...

Saturday, October 17, 2009

a country hayride
under blankets of wool
and night sky-
seeing a million stars,
some for the very first time

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Writer's Block :)

I know that I should write tonight,
for it’s been a couple days.
I know I really should- alright?
But my brain, my hand obeys.

There are a million thoughts to think,
but I can’t find a one.
There are a zillion dreams to dream,
but sleep just will not come.

You’d think I could find a topic
with all I’ve seen and heard.
You’d think I could unlock it-
the box of captive words.

Oh sure, I’ve got my trusty pals-
the clouds, the stars, the moon.
Oh sure, there’s love and joy and pain-
but they’re exhausted, too!

Well, it seems new thoughts won’t visit me,
though I beg and plead and curse.
It seems old words just will not lend
themselves to any verse.

So I put my pencil down, my friends,
for writer’s block has won.
Yes, I put my pencil…oh, BUT WAIT!
Just look at what I’ve done…

Monday, October 12, 2009

sighing in her sleep,
she dreams about the future,
not the past-
flipping to
the cool side of the pillow
sing over me,
autumn wind-
remind me how to lift my voice
even when the song seems lost in the night

dance over me,
willow branches-
remind me how to move
even when the stillness overtakes me

fly over me,
south-bound birds-
remind me how to look ahead
even when the destinaton seems too distant

pray over me,
faithful friends-
remind me how to trust
even when the storm is raging around me

"Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed." -Psalm 107:28-29

Saturday, October 10, 2009

tucked inside a book,
a love letter dated
1950-
my grandparents
live on...

Friday, October 9, 2009

after the storm,
a lullaby of raindrops-
pianissimo
(This is my response to Andy's post tonight on Past Tense...)

Thursday, October 8, 2009

wishing I could
capture the moon as he
has captured me-
a cloudy sky leaves me
alone in my chains tonight

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Perpspective: It's a Beautiful Thing!

I don't usually write in a non-poetry format on this blog, but today I feel like sharing my heart in this way, so please bear with me. If you've only come here for poetry and are not interested in reading my long and drawn-out prose, I completely understand. :)

I won't lie. I have been bathing in a pool of self-pity over the last week-and-a-half. It has certainly not been pretty! My husband is training to be a police officer at an academy four hours away. He is gone all week long and will be for the next ten weeks. I miss him terribly and the stress of that lonliness mixed with the everyday weariness that comes with motherhood and teaching and keeping up with life had started to take its toll by yesterday. I was tired and anxious and I could feel a heaviness in my heart that could not have been more real if there had been a brick sitting on my chest. I hit my breaking point, and after a good cry and some genuine hyperventilating, my compassionate boss (who has been down the exact same road before) told me to go home and rest. Sleep has been difficult to come by since my husband has been gone. So I did, and after a refreshing nap and a much needed six hours of sleep last night, I found myself feeling much better today...a little more ready to face the world and my life with all of its little challenges.

Today, with the new-found clarity that rest does bring, I noticed that God seemed to be sending me little messages throughout the day. Not messages of "poor Kristin", but instead ones of "pull yourself up and look around...it's not all that bad". The first one came via the internet. I received one of those email forwards that often go overlooked in my inbox. For some reason, I took the time to really look at this one. It was a picture of a four-year-old little girl who just could not let go of her daddy's hand. Her father is a soldier. He was about to be deployed to Iraq for 18 months. He had joined the formation with his fellow officers, but his daugther (a little blonde that reminded me so much of my own daughter) was still holding on to his hand even as he stood in the line. A year and a half, I thought to myself...no weekends, no breaks, no kisses, no hugs.

The second message was sent to me on the radio as I was driving to my church for choir practice this evening. I was listening to a Christian radio station and a woman called in to dedicate a song. Her husband has recently become a Christian as a result of a ministry inside the prison where he is currently incarcerated. They have been apart for four long years and he has only served half of his sentence. She called not only to dedicate the song, but also to let him know that she was waiting for him-staying true to the commitment that she had made. What a testimony of strength and enduring love.

These "messages" did more than just evoke sympathy in me for a few strangers whose lives have been affected by seperation from a loved-one. They brought me a little thing called perspective. These people and their stories reminded me that no matter what struggles life brings, if I take the time to look around, I will always be able to find someone whose circumstances are more difficult than my own. No matter what, there is always cause to be thankful...and so I am.

"Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Monday, October 5, 2009

I feel you...

in the rustling
that whispers my name,
desire confessing

in the soft rain
that slides down my back,
fingers caressing

in the fragile leaves
that can't help but fall,
surrender sweet

in the nightsong
that burns throught the chill,
sultry beat

yes, I feel you.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

listen...
October wind
whispers to the leaves who
cling desperately, "just let go..."
hear it?

Friday, October 2, 2009

I breathe better
when you're breathing
beside me.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A Poem for Tchaikovsky

hearing it in my mind,
autumn's song played
on a distant piano-
smooth keys
gently touched
by fingers who have known
many seasons...
the passion of summer,
the desperation of winter,
the hope of spring-
now he strokes the ivory
once again,
telling his tale
of yet another red leaf,
another windy afternoon,
another still morning,
another harvest moon...

Monday, September 28, 2009

goodbye kiss-
soft moonlight touches the last
summer roses.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Morning has come just as it does every other day. It's as if the sun doesn't understand that you're leaving. I stand in the doorway, holding our baby girl. Her warm body, still heavy with sleep, is unable to block the early autumn chill from my bare arms. I feel yours slide around us, enveloping us in what the little one calls a "fam-i-ly hug". Kiss. Kiss. Kiss again. I send up a silent prayer for your safety as the car door closes. Then as quickly as the morning came, you drive away...let the countdown begin.
sun rises
tail lights fade
sun sets

Saturday, September 26, 2009

GARAGE SALE

We had a garage sale this morning. My husband, who has never written a poem in his life (except for the ones he was forced to write for a project in the fourth grade) suprised me by writing some haiku! It made my day! I had to help him re-arrange a little because of syllables, but these are his. I thought they were really great! If you are wondering about #2, he is a police officer. #3 is a joke...we sold several books at the sale and he knows that I often use receipts and old photos as book marks...he pretended to be "worried" about someone finding an inappropriate photograph in one of them. He thinks he's SOOOO funny! :) I was very proud of his poetry.


strangers
rummaging, making
a small fortune

familiar cars
familiar faces-people
I've arrested

books new and old
mistakingly hold
a dirty photo

by my husband, Derek (with a tiny bit of assistance from his wonderful wife :)

Friday, September 25, 2009

I tried.
Can't do it.
Brain's empty.

-From the book Love that Dog by my favorite children's/young adult author, Sharon Creech
(This seemed appopriate tonight because it's entirely true... :)

Thursday, September 24, 2009

tears and raindrops fall-
your face floods my mind
at midnight

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Fall Colors

How can "blue" be somber?
Look at my September sky,
whose cornflower turns to sapphire
with a happy sigh...

How can silence be "golden"?
Listen to my October maple,
whose yellow foliage speaks so loudly
and must be heard...

How can little lies be "white"?
Stand beneath my November moon
whose pure, clear light shines down
revealing all that's true...
abandoned tricycle
falls victim to the wind-
first day of autumn

Monday, September 21, 2009

collision
in the night sky
of rain and thunder-
passionate encounter
leaves me breathless...

Sunday, September 20, 2009


twenty-seven years
tucked away inside...
the three in me wants to be held
the fourteen in me wants to pull away
the nine in me wants to show off
the five in me wants to run and hide
the twenty-two in me wants to feel settled
the eighteen in me wants to be free
the sixteen in me wants to feel that first kiss
the twenty-five in me wants it to feel like the last
the twenty-seven in me realizes
that all of these make all of me...

Saturday, September 19, 2009

daytime fades,
leaving me to dream beside
your cold pillow-
December will be
warmer this year...

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

mid-September rain
cools the night with its song-
season's overture
a few amber leaves
soften the path
for bare feet-
trying to remember
where I put my boots...

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

touching you
for the millionth time-
tasting new wine...
(for my husband)

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Rainy Saturday Playlist

voices
some smooth as velvet,
others like rustling leaves-
speaking to me,
singing to me,
preaching to me,
soothing the child in me...
melodies
hovering in the breeze,
like soft, jasmine scent-
breaking me,
holding me,
healing me,
enveloping me with each crescendo...
beats
in rhythm with the rain,
the syncopation in my soul-
rocking me,
thrilling me,
moving me,
taking me to that place...

Thursday, September 10, 2009

I sit and wait,
wondering about the unknown,
the next step-
So much of life is anticipating
what is to come.
Waiting...
for him to come home,
for test results,
for two pink lines,
for the weekend,
for time off and time away...
but time doesn't stop-
We wait, but it marches on,
steps never wavering...
The relentless beat
forcing me to ask myself,
am I missing out
on life waiting for it to begin?
Is it not during those little "intermissions"
that we feel the most?
the most anguish,
the most excitement.
Perhaps if we would learn how to wait,
then we could discover how
to live.
caressing
my skin-
cool rain

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

local weatherman
speaks of thunderstorms
on the horizon-
no sleep in my forecast,
waiting for tomorrow's rain

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

secret passageway
in the dusty corner of
my mind-
old melody reveals
a forgotten room...
I smile and sigh,
keeping it to myself
once again-
a woman's heart
is a deep well.
colors swirl-
seeing the world through her eyes,
each frog is a prince
(Original artwork by my 3-year-old...she has a deep love for all of God's tiny creatures, but frogs are her favorite. She told me that this is a frog stuck on the window. The colorful part is the frog and all the gray is the window. This just made me smile. I love to see the world through her lens of wonder.)




Saturday, September 5, 2009

Moonlight Sonata
echoes from
an old radio-
you break my heart
again and again...

just before dawn,
birds greet the gray morning
in softest song-
first movement,
pianissimo

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

distant train
breaks the silence and
my concentration-
thoughts now heading north
on a one-way track...

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

midnight waltz
of words...swinging, dancing,
gently swaying words-
writing by lamplight
with my thesaurus
soaking
in moonlight-
leaves in the birdbath

so many words...
none of them necessary-
he speaks for himself






oh September...
you have crept in,
leaving only
the ghost of summer, and
stealing my heart once again

Monday, August 31, 2009


cool air
settles upon my corner
of the world-
listening to the sigh
of twilight...
small hands squeeze mine
'til the pulse of each heartbeat
is felt-hers
indistinguishable from
my own...

Sunday, August 30, 2009


canopy
of yellow and green-
leaves and sweet dreams fall...
some days
I wish my pen would just
run out of ink-
searching for lost words
and someone else to blame...

Friday, August 28, 2009

inch by inch...
watching the sun dip below
the horizon-
time moves so slowly
when you are gone from me

Thursday, August 27, 2009


bashful one-
face hidden behind
a veil of clouds

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

darkness falling
earlier than the night before-
decrescendo...

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

"penny for your thoughts,"
says the quarter moon
so sweetly-
I don't have the heart
to break it to him

Monday, August 24, 2009


strength to face
another grueling week-
found in the stillness...

Saturday, August 22, 2009


God must be
a poet-
I see His verse
in the reflection of
mountains on shining water...

Friday, August 21, 2009

first cool night-
the breeze whispers sweet nothings
in the dark-
autumn romance
beginning early...
I wish I had written this poem! I am reading a book called Awakening the Heart: Exploring Poetry in Elementary and Middle School and this poem is featured. I just loved the picture that it painted in my mind, especially now that school is back in session and I am reminiscing about the summer. The poet is Debra Chandra. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted to share it. It's not a tanka because of the syllables, but I love the way she did it. Breaking the line after summer and before breath almost makes it feel like catching your breath. I love it!!!

Suspense
Wide-eyed
the sunflowers
stare and catch their summer
breath, while I pause, holding basket
and shears.
-Debra Chandra

Thursday, August 20, 2009


first day...aroma
of newly-sharpened pencils
and fear

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

This post isn't a poem, but instead a prayer. A friend of mine read it and said that I should post it on my blog, so I am. I'm a teacher and school starts tomorrow. I met several of my students last night at open house and I went home thinking about them. I wrote this little prayer when I got home. This is truly the desire of my heart as I start this new school year with them.

Dear Lord, Help me to remember that each one of these is a child of yours. Help me to see my own daughter's face when I look at each one of them, remembering that every child is some parent's everything. Especially help me to fill the void in some way for those kids who don't have that...who are made to feel like nothing instead of everything. Help me show them their worth. Teach me as I teach them. -AMEN

Monday, August 17, 2009

late summer storm
blowing in with
raw power-
petals wilted from the heat
surrender and release...

Sunday, August 16, 2009

intoxicating-
scent of a memory
takes me away...

Saturday, August 15, 2009

single star
peeks through the branches then
disappears again-
front porch rocking chair creaks
in rhythm with the night
insomnia-
words not yet written
whisper loudly...
little bird
sees all, perched on my
angled rooftop-
the moon is his tonight...
finders keepers
unexpected
cool breeze forwards my thoughts
to autumn-
sounds of a marching band
practicing in the distance...
across her forehead,
wisp of blonde hair flies
away in the breeze-
if only she could stay small,
if only...

Friday, August 14, 2009


brush strokes across
the sunset sky-majesty
in pastels
funeral day-
through tears, I see
a single lilly
among the dry grass-
embrace of God...

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

mid-August daydream
finds me drifting away on
a salty breeze-
abruptly awakened by
the morning bell

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

clinging to
promises of old, in search
of present comfort-
a falling star catches
my eye...

Monday, August 10, 2009

pitter-patter
of raindrops outside
my bedroom window-
sleep washing over me
at last...

Sunday, August 9, 2009


feathery clouds
stretch across the night sky
and tickle the moon



Friday, August 7, 2009

writer's block-
words lost somewhere in the
sapphire sky

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

dancing limbs sway
against the storm's rage
and fury-
grace
under pressure




Tuesday, August 4, 2009


quite familiar,
that luminescent smile
above my rooftop-
how does this ancient one
make my world new again?
Hello old friend-
full moon hovers over
my shoulder.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

two a.m.-
tired body in need of rest
can't convince my mind...

Friday, July 31, 2009

August leaves bathe
on the rain-soaked driveway-
fall preview...

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

old song stirs
memories of a summer
long ago-
a familiar ache resting
deep in my chest.

Monday, July 27, 2009

shopping for sunscreen,
an aisle filled with notebooks and
unsharpened pencils
catches my eye-
reality sets in.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

feeling
warm sand between my toes-
memories slip through...

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

clear night sky
suddenly interrupted
by lightning-
flashes of your face now
replacing my quiet thoughts...

Monday, July 13, 2009

fingers
intertwine slowly-
no need for words...
waning moon
hangs low in the night sky-
I look on,
heavy-hearted, knowing
that soon he will be gone...

Friday, July 10, 2009

at last I hear
her steady, even breathing
in the dark-
crickets unaware
continue their lullabies...

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

his breath on my neck,
eyes close as lips waver-
anticipation...

Sunday, July 5, 2009


watching darkness fall,
my spirit rises
with the full moon

soft haze
rests above the river
with my thoughts
distant fireworks
heard on the fifth of July-
afterthoughts...

Friday, July 3, 2009

July moon
plays hide and seek behind
the silver clouds
pink lemonade-
drinking in
the summer sunset
dying grass
begs the sky
for mercy

Thursday, July 2, 2009

if soft moonlight
had a scent,
it would be yours
a summer half-gone
leaves me somber until
her popsicle grin
reminds me
of the half that lies ahead...

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

seven stars
pour thoughts of you into
my evening daydreams...

Monday, June 29, 2009

lying in the grass,
counting stars instead of sheep-
backyard campout
cool breeze
slides its arms around me-
a welcome embrace...

Saturday, June 27, 2009

in the heat of night
I listen for footsteps-
distant thunder
rolls somewhere
beyond the horizon...
my pulse
suddenly quickens-
forecast calls for rain...
the soft scent
of lavender
rests on my pillow
as early morning dreams
take me back to our first night...

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

crescent moon
hangs above the treetops
like a whisper

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

I extinguish
the midnight flame
of a candle,
but thoughts of you remain-
undying embers
the man in the moon
laughs at me without mercy-
I stand blushing
in the shadows-
my strongest weakness revealed
your laughter
fills my senses-
reminding me
of all the reasons
that you and I became "us"

Monday, June 22, 2009

hot summer night
leaves me breathless and thirsting
for rain...
watercolor stars-
His artistry revealed
in the night sky
the warmth
of my child's body
wrapped in my embrace-
I hold her, wondering how
I ever lived without it...
through tearful laughter,
sisters pack boxes
and recall
an old, familiar song-
some things never change
sweeter still,
the moment before we touch-
bridled passion
teaches me once again
the meaning of want
as lightning strikes,
his hand brushes my skin-
electricity...




like the breeze,
my thoughts drift away
to be where you are...
roses
longing for a drink-
I water them,
thinking how long it's been
since I last heard your voice
although we're apart,
the same moon that lights my path
smiles outside
your open window-
he knows the secrets we share...
at twenty-seven,
summer freckles splash my face
once again-
a subtle reminder
of the girl I was...
a snowflake
melts on my child's eyelashes-
nothing stays the same




hair ribbons
sit tangled in a box-
too soon forgotten...
stillness
after a summer rainstorm-
the loudest silence...
drop of sweat slides
down my cheek as fireflies
dance around me-
southern summers slip
away just as quickly...
honeysuckle
covers the broken fence-
masquerade
lying in our bed
as sirens break the silence-
missing his warmth...
grandaughter,
dandelion in hand,
traces his name
with her finger on the stone-
her brown eyes tell his story...