(First Place winner in the Written Poetry Competition

at the Riley Festival, Oct. 2019)

Going Home

Childhood imprints call me back.

electrifying the connections and

strengthening the memories

that idle in my mind.

Welcomed to the old house,

my hand closes over glass door handles

to push open portals of souvenirs

that remained there for my homecoming.

I wander through shrunken rooms,

Recalling favorite dresses in the closet,

gin rummy played at the kitchen table,

and pets bringing their friendship and chaos.

The swing set is gone from the yard,

but I see the little girl pushing her feet

into the balding grassy spot below,

throwing her songs to the air.

Tromping through weedy grass,

the concealed cemetery is viewed with honor.

Ancestors known only to my imagination,

continuing to oversee our noble land.

Even if I hadn't returned,

strong memories would have pulled me back,

viewing the scenes through traveling senses

content in my remembering.

(Third Place winner in the Written Poetry Competition

at the Riley Festival, Oct. 2018.)

 Sunset with my Aunt

Liquid red blends with the

lake’s cool reflections

As feet are dangled from the dock.

Security chats beside her.

Security short-lived.

Now the child is lonely

Not again will the sun repeat

its setting here,

Nor the ripples play gently over

the shallow weed bed.

Her eyes to observe a more broken

routine.

Yet the water will sustain her.

(Published in The Blue Guitar Magazine,

Spring 2019)

Ancestral Callings

Leaves swirl at cold stone's base,

gathering spirit voices breaking

from their mossy roofs.

Calling home in rising pleas

their living blood who walk above them.

Spirits implore forget us not.

Remember that we live in you.

Our hearts' loves you share

and lives from future past.