Grand Canyon Baby

torn between worlds 

oldest loves her phone, sisters

gives in, goes to bed

she watches their play

with a slightly jealous eye 

fantasy now lost

found only in books

or over a campfire

she joins them in tent 

she still loves camping

sets the table like Mama 

an organized queen

she gives in to catch,

to wood-walking fantasy

(Riona’s a horse)

(but she’s almost me

we share the same shoe size now

her eyes switch places)

if i could capture

her in my womb (my last trip

to the Grand Canyon)

she’d be my baby

in my belly, on my back 

trails, trials of love

   

 

picture it

the moon’s almost there

as are we, building marriage

us: more than half full

  

The Drive

road trip to heaven
 with a colorado drive

 blue sky sunset dream

  

 
 
 

Inbox

inbox second chance
 two weeks too late, money spent
 hope revealed, heart lost
 
 i want to find home
 with work that’s my second home
 please just show me how
 
 no more promises
 that crush dreams i’ve long carried
 with your inbox lies
 
 i came home to you
 my city, my youth, my school
 don’t betray me now
 
 show me you have grown
 built truths from these high prices
 that surround me now
 
 please just show me how
 fill my inbox with one hope:
 second chance success
 
 

Flood

on this rainy morn
 a single note from that song
 brings back teen heartbreak
 
 a rough night of dreams
 floods of memories, remorse
 this reminder stings
 
 why today, this week?
 why torment me with lyrics?
 i just need a break
 
 to know i’ve moved on
 is all i want rain to bring
 not floods of regret
 
 
 

Gambling

two strikes in two weeks
 stuck in dogless house, no raise
 rescinded promise
 
 this is why they leave
 flee the profession in droves
 no faith, no support
 
 the burden bears down
 when carrying three years’ weight
 regrets that trail me
 
 i want to feel good
 like the queen of my career
 not the peasants’ pawn
 
 but here i am, stuck
 wondering when it’s my turn
 to win my luck back
 
 
 

Parental Dilemma

the things i will do
 to win what love my girls give
 sometimes hurt us all
 
 
 

Players

high school musical
 composed by genius student
 Friday night (spot) lights
 
 
 

¿Bilingüe?

mi esperanza:
 aquí el examen que
 decide todo
 
 (my hope in this test–
 this testimony of life–
 decides everything)
 
 
 

Endings Everywhere

with tear jerking news
 the week is only half done
 endings everywhere
 
 i’d pray for results
 or let blind faith lead the way
 to next day’s surprise?
 
 everything behind
 these heart-wrenching decisions
 twists inside my soul
 
 letting go: an art
 i haven’t mastered just yet
 please show me the way