A Turn of Luck

our black cat smiles
for her Halloween spirit 
to seep through the leaves

We’re All Ears

so like her black cat
always calling for her needs
hoping we’ll listen

yesterday, this view
as i walked with my best friend 
sharing sad stories

there are no words here.
if i could picture your words,
the pic would be puke.

my Homecoming queens
who will never win titles
will still win with me

and what have they learned?
just how to love everyone
from all walks of life

spirit week beckons
dynamic duos, western.
even better: grins.

even behind masks
you can see my girls’ smiles
(it’s hope. returning.)

and the Finger Lakes 
connecting the three of us 
in this Denver school

let’s not forget hats
of the Colorado kind
western girls, my girls

like a golden cloud
this aspen cheers up the pines
rather than pining

syllables can’t sew
or piece together quilt art
but her grandma can

haikus can’t capture
the hours of work, the cloth
from her grandma’s trunk

yes. a thousand words.
a thousand hours of love
for her granddaughter

so perfectly dark
hidden behind black masks
and secret smiles

just a spot of tea
for my pint-sized pup hero
(always makes my day)