list of excuses
ribboned present presented
mail-ready, pre-sent
in the hands of god
swirling death surrounding me
don’t want to hear it
how do i work through
stress, grief, everyday mountains,
but you’re not able?
i see days through tears
gather up my girls in hugs
can’t you find your joy?
peace comes with jobs done
satisfaction of success
unwrap your conscience
bag on, keys in hand
lights still off, door prop broken
they wait for me here
never a moment
to take a breath or a rest
once here? i breathe them
spinning hat cycle
switch styles: students, admin
teach, plan, grade, succumb
bag down, keys waiting
lights come on, i work past dark
they wait for me there
somewhere in between
i put on the mama hat
dinner, bed cuddling
i dream of yoga
breathing in, out, stretching soul
hats off, i breathe them
once my side of town
now the other side of death
my heart aches for you
white clown suit darkness
metaphor for life we live
hidden in darkness
how he played guitar
for my beautiful best friend
for my soul sister
i am a true friend
because my love never stops
my love never stops
it starts with the truth
the truth of that death moment
when you were reborn
when i cried for you
you hate to cry publicly
even for our love
spotlight on darkness
as bright as mansions’ windows
or September rain
either way, we love
living for the dark secrets
while god drives us home
a three-foot hallway
blanket, last year’s science boards
fort made of magic
here we play cadoo
spin tales with pictures and acts
clinging to our youth
she begs to cuddle
as morning melts into noon
always my baby
we play piano
i grade, then guide her through math
later, a hike fight
sun swallows the creek
as they beg back summer swims
but leaves are gold-tipped
the baby departs
we have our own sleepover
with love, city lights
they spin spaghetti
dance beside beer cyclists
here we fall for fall
to be number one
it takes a community
not a dictator
it’s all in the scores
that bring you to beg for wealth
what about teachers?
did you ever think
that if you led us higher
we could climb mountains?
success is not wealth
it’s not wrapped in white ribbon
it’s inside our kids
and who holds the key
the one that unlocks their tale?
teachers led by you
step down, open doors:
your choice will make or break us
break us, then break them
to be number one
you have to love all colors
and see beyond scores
ten months ago, dead:
my heart, when you told me that
(teaching is in me)
but you couldn’t teach
you could only criticize
i’m phoenix rising
with hate, you inspired
with love, i put students first
and guess what? we win
a perfect lesson
fits into care and action
not criticism
if only you’d see:
guide a better tomorrow
we’d want to stay here
but we’re not all strong
or feathers-renewable
with love, you could win
with love, we will win
my students and i? winners
please don’t burn feathers
tap your inner soul
for god’s sake, read the right book
allow us to fly
before dawn message
asks permission for my love
i’m awake, ready
my soul sister breaks
before the sun emerges
i’d give her my life
sleep is a present
unpresent in this week’s life
seven days of hell
he flies tomorrow
what if he doesn’t make it
in time for her death?
my girls play the wii
squealing with best friend’s pained joy
parents’ illness wins
and yet they smile
dress up in formal attire
perfect for their game
living life scares me
as i list all my boyfriends
kindergarten up
ask him to recall
if he searched for love like me
or found it at home
he cannot answer
too consumed by coming grief
losing his mother
they will play all night
and go vacation their dreams
never knowing loss
that is what i want
no search for school boyfriends
just love at home. LOVE.
baby stops mid-hill
after fifteen miles, done
she’s still my winner
i will wait for her
as we end this Labor Day
she is my last one
my beach day Denver
filled with beautiful sun girls
swimming and cycling
dreams are made this way
blue skies, wood-fired pizza, sun
and spinning tires
confluence meets park
bike path meets Vittetoe fam
we meet our happy
summer’s end flowers
and a zip line that beats Spain’s
best spent allowance
unions gave day off
for sleeping in and waffles
life’s a rented dream
i think in haikus
in between Monday cycles
that bring creeks and joy
with thousands of words
one hundred twenty letters
high schoolers shocked me
today? long boarding
last year? three mile water walk
in refugee camp
fathers left for dead
or years without their mothers
fear crossing borders
Somali warlords
Thai school beatings, civil war
their innocence lost
dreams to bring back peace
to a country they escaped
(and to pass my class)
whirlwind of worlds
sit in six columns, five rows
can i reach them all?
free education
earned with a blood-torn tear trail
worth every penny
a flat starts the day
with a little pump, i ride
hills, mountains: progress
web site down, ends work
why not take the dry cleaning?
dead car battery
bored girls seek street friends
they’re at camp, then tutoring
where is their summer?
then, a text invite:
pool party, later denied
(for members only)
embarrassed, we leave
without the key to rich friends
our small house fills up
this after cold talk
screaming drive, snatching pillow
the girls unaware
of how i haiku
remnants of a hollow day
door shut, him sleeping
but before closed doors?
they street-danced on rollerblades
still making the best
i close itchy eyes
view the world through young faces
all i see is joy
Step Write Up 