parenting problems
don’t end when the kids grow up
(they can still break you)
daughters
Colorado Born and Bred
Berthoud Pass driving
sisters learn two years apart
same day, different face
Downhill for the Uphill
2020 ends
in the same way it began
(with downhill skiing)
2020 ends
nearly every way different
than a year ago
2020 brings
a balance of sorrow, joy
hidden behind masks
2020 ends
with screens controlling our lives
(searching for meaning)
2021
with its 5-syllable self
will bring us new hope
Ice, Water, Steam
a cold winter walk
along the Colorado
right where it begins
a hot springs retreat
to strip the cold off our skins,
bring heat to our bones
Christmas Roulade
rolled in this meringue:
apples, mascarpone cream,
burnt honey. ’20.
baked in this Roulade:
my student’s home-raised hen eggs
ready to be whipped
folded in this bake:
some precious moments of peace
so hard sought, well earned
masked in this meringue:
a year of bittersweet loss
melted into joy
Dirty Bingo
White Elephant win
with every Bingo chiste
bringing laughter, joy
Christmas Traditions
they’re all grown up now
even their cookies have grown
in their perfection
Christmas Cookies
he’s no idea
what he’s got himself into
with these crazy girls
cookies are cookies.
we will cut, bake, decorate.
’cause it’s what we do.
arms, metal, ginger:
what is a holiday scent?
molasses. that’s it.
and soft-spun sugar
ready to perfect Christmas
with gingerbread sweets.
COVID Birthday
ice-cold Tuesday night
(ice skating on a weeknight?)
icing on the cake
we must stay outside
we must wear masks, be cautious
we must learn to live
all out of the house?
all the teens out together?
all the miracles
the boy taught himself
the boy had never skated
my boy taught himself
The Tree Savior
some rough beginnings
can end in the perfect way
for a perfect day
Step Write Up 