Teacher Tired

broken copier,
mushroom chicharrón tacos,
and this sad puppy

it's only Wednesday
of my first week back at school
and exhaustion wins

Disappearing Milestones

the youngest’s birthday 
(an early celebration)
before big sis leaves

Toy Story 3. Now.
i could carry the bag out
and cry all morning

a toy, a trigger?
my girl is off to college.
(this is no cartoon).

and so he will stay.
though i know she will leave me.
each grinning their truth.

cats will rule the earth
(i was told at a party)
because they are queens

with a perfect score
my youngest surprises me
(she’s ready to drive)

like this worn-out dog
i have nearly given up…
yet, i’m a Taurus.

and so i garden
though it, too, is a failure
stolen by flowers

this year’s loss, in pics:
weeds and grass and tearing out 
for one little heart

twenty-three years back
i married this blue-eyed boy
who brings me my sun

reality bites
with all that waits for me here
yet i shall chew it

before the long drive,
enjoy the perfect park. shop.
soak up cousin time.

eat your sister’s meal
till the next time you see her.
too long (just too long).

your daughters will drive.
together, we can make it.
we will rule the night.

it’s all we can rule
with the oldest off to school
we can rule the night.

cycling through hills
of perfectly green horse farms 
before paddling

bucket lists are short
but should include Kentucky 
for its soft beauty