Childhood

Pedal, He Said

Don’t look back

“Pedal,” he says, 
and I press my feet down
hard onto the plastic.
My knees rise…

just kids

when did we become
more than just kids?
traded the best of us
for love and lust
and damn I really miss
our sweet innocence
playing on wet turf
running for the hell of it
feeling small among it all
the beautiful unknowing
of being new to the earth.

Where it all began

The hardest part is looking back

Radix malorum est cupiditas

Tortured by how life could have been
the silent scream lifts her off her feet:
ill-luck, tough-times…

Our Childhood Poverty Took Our Path Apart

Your tongue with piercing and long curly hair was innocent.

homegrown

saturn’s return

returns me to myself

each morning

offers up perspective

with a side of wisdom

and a healthy helping of clarity

The Tornado

Some dreams always stay

thirteen

I wouldn’t wish thirteen
on my worst enemy
a moment in time
when everything and nothing mattered
growing up is a stomach ache
the flu year-round
i used to cry to my mother
let me take a sick day
god please, let me take a break.

Cold

I think every child loves the cold. 
Cold means snow days and puffy coats that are too big. 
It’s hot chocolate made with a mother’s love and a…

Poem: Piano Lessons Before Halloween

Piano Lessons Before Halloween