There’s the African American gentleman who works at the gas stationNot far from my homeWho called me his sisterHe’s got it right There’s the people driving in a car with blasting musicRolled down their window and yelled something about white trashAs I’m walking with my childrenThey ask me, “Mommy, what was that?”I say, “ignore that;…

I signed up at the Institute for Writers in March, and have been busy working on my first and second assignments. This is an exciting challenge for me, as I am learning to work on my writing as a craft versus spontaneously expressing my thoughts poetically.

Only a tiny puddle remainsOn the bottom of the drivewayAnd several feet of mud surrounding itTestifying to the rainstorm that ensuedFor two days priorWith its gusty, brutal windsIt’s’ torrential downpoursChilly airAll gone nowLeaving just a faint reminderOf what it was Inside the houseMeltdowns fizzle outMy son says before bedtimeThat he finally feels relaxedThe house is…

The car in front of me is undecidedHalf of it driving in my line and half in the line to my leftAnd driving really slowlyAs it’s not easy to make the decisionAs to which lane to drive inWhere to belongAnd this indecision is making me grit my teethBecause I need to slow downTo waitFor the…

Five secondsThat’s what I gotAfter I closed my eyesThinking that baby was sleepingBut with four teeth breaking through his gumsThat was not to be Lots of painRockingCuddlingFeedingAnd finally settling himBack into his cribOr so I thoughtWhen I closed my eyesYet another time that nightUnsure of the numberGetting ten seconds of sleepAnd then hearing a whimper…

Voices from the pastSaying that writers don’t make moneyThe big bucksSo why bother learning the artYou’d be better off going to schoolTo learn how to beA nurseOr a teacherMaybe a therapistSomething to help you pay the bills So you listen to those voicesAnd go to school to learnHow to teachAnd you love what you doAre…

When I asked you to empty the dryerYou left a sock behindWhen I asked you to get a bottle of milkFor your baby brotherYou left the gallon of milk on the counterAfter I asked you to put your socks in the hamperI later found them in front of itAll alone on the floor I realized…

Holes in the wall can be coveredBy thick black duct tapeA temporary quick fixBut they still exist behind itAnd will continue to do soUntil they are sealed and the wall painted over Holes in your heart can be covered bySo many to do listsA busy lifestyleA band-aid to cover upOne wound or manyThat still existAnd…

I don’t always know if what I’m seeing is trueOr a mirage of sortsIf I’m actually living the life I had plannedOr if I’ve taken a detour and still think thatI’m on the straight path I’ve dreamed of for myselfSo many years ago I think I am right in all that I doFool myself into…