Pieces of curved glass
Colored strands of wire
Help me to see clearly.
Cutting my nose
I want contacts.

Terry Leach (3)

all day it rains
loud noises
cause fear
as the gutter overflows
will this ever stop?

after the argument,
finding peace
in the yellow tulips
swaying
in the breeze

Pat Luedke (4)

Rocking chair
Sitting on the porch
Hot summer sun
Lilacs in the air
Memories of Grandma

Patty Barnick (4)

Around every bend…
another bend!
Twenty people, ten canoes
A sunny day on the Current.
Deeper friendships than I ever thought possible.

Ladies shuffling in the early hours
Hearts broken.
The stone rolled away
Their minds whirling with
Anticipation.

Terry Leach (2)

I long to create
a peaceful retreat
to hide
Each and every day
growing increasingly crazy

Amanda Zucco (3)

We stood in the kitchen
Preparing our meal
Three loving sisters
Laughing
Rekindling our youth.

That place in my soul
warm and safe
no one can touch
except for her
except by me

Brad Wagner (2)

The storm grows stronger
We huddle in fear -
Is this the end?
Mercy
At last, a rainbow.

A lake in the clouds
Mountains make the shoreline
Dark, deep, blue water
Yet, I cannot take my eyes off of her
Her laughter fills…were there birds?

Clean the spark plug
Fix the hose
Add some gas
Pull on the cord
Ready-Set-Mow

Patty Barnick (2)

In a wagon full of grain
The rain falls down upon the tin
The soothing sound of pitter-patter
Your lids begin to waver
Slumber finally gives in

One walk,
Two walks,
Three walks.
Frustration shows
on the pitcher's face.

Mickey Hrvol (2)

Lying in her bed
Consumed by love,
Wishing he were near
Loneliness,
Will tomorrow ever come?

Bernie Ryan (2)

the soft rhythm
of patterned breathing
caresses my ears

Reading my books
she longs to be
in my shoes

Marcia Gordon (2)

The rumbling river
a fish jumps up
to gasp for air

Today—
spring rain
ruined
the promise
picnic in the park

The bright sun soothes me
as the clouds
shed tears
for the pain
I feel.

Dee Woods (5)

I hear the blankets rustle
I peak in to see
My little angel starting to awaken
However, when he sees me
A little devil transpires

Kathy Yarnick (4)

struck by a
hail drop, birds
take cover

I watch
outside my window
as the spring blossoms

Squinting my eyes
to gaze
upon the blazing sphere

After the rain
chirping birds
happy to see the sun

fallen leaves of
a dogwood tree collect
my guitar comes into play

Josh Parmenter (2)

autumn heat—
night falls
and cools our home

Yelling, and hitting
has started again
The smell of rum on her breath
I close my eyes
God, please help me

Katrina Farris (5)

skiffs of snow
in the sidewalk cracks
beckoning winter
to come
in full force

Pat Luedke (4)

Like being hit
with a whip,
the rain
is coming down
in sheets.

Hold me
My eyes are red and swollen
Love me
The pain is to much
Please, accept me

Laughter everywhere
from the children playing.
Not even the spring shower
can ruin the excitement
of the Easter egg hunt.

Click, save
14 weeks of work
One word
VIRUS
Computer techs are gods

I like to nit
I like to pick
I like to be a bother
If I did not have these qualities
I would not be a true father

Kathy Yarnick (4)

For little boys
new clip-on ties,
For little girls,
frilly little skirts.
For a few minutes…
Mothers beaming.

Terry Leach (2)

The nippy night air
comforts me
as I sit alone—
the sounds of crickets
call my name

Dee Woods (8)

Darkness at noon
Streetlights in the day
A river of rain through
Asphalt banks
Sunny again.

Mike Bailey (3)

flashes of light
in my bedroom window
storms threatening
as I drift off to
sleep

In the dark
Thoughts in a frenzy
My love has gone
My heart is breaking
Wake up

dirty hands
from smudged, stained paper
never ending
always counting
this paper currency

Go through the house
One more time
Get everything tagged
Hang out the signs
Yard sale!

Wind surfing on a beautiful lake
Strong constant wind
Every bone in my body…
Could losing to a truck feel worse?
Bed.

Excitement
upon your return
home—
Intense irritation
as I scream GET OUT!

Dee Woods

Bright red and yellow
tulips in the garden
giving first life
to the new season.
Spring

An entire town shut down
Three feet of snow in one day
Calm, quite, alone,
Midnight.
Will I be the only one at work?

Amazing organ
Beating inside my chest,
Pumping without thought,
Sustaining my life…
But I need a new one.

Terry Leach (3)

Heavy eyelids
Head slumping
Soft sighs
Cuddley
Sleeping

Wanda Norris

The smell
of spring rain
wakes the soul
of buried seeds
waiting to grow

The smell
of the fresh cut grass
dandelions gone
for a while
only to return soon.

Mickey Hrvol (2)

Drifting family members
Reunite
Memories remain
Tears, and laughter shared
A funeral

The family gathered all around
The discussion was that of Tanka
Some were funny
Some were crass
Laughter made the day

Red across the face
Anger wells inside
must I let it vent
feeling swell and then
I remember him

She crawls in his lap
Comfortable, secure.
This is a familiar place,
Home -
My dad.

God’s fireworks
In the western sky.
We watch in wonder
Beautiful,
Fear overcomes us.

outside the window
the sky is gray
where did the
sunshine
from this morning go

I remember walking,
earth scents infused the air
just the other day
with my children
intent on leading the way

Amanda Zucco (2)

a dreary morning
5 days to go
can the goal be met
can I reach beyond
I stretch to reach it