always pure of heart
she’s the sweetness in this cake
tres leches, thrice loved
gratitude
New Year’s Eve
in 2019
Bruce learned to ski from up high
into a new life
in 2019
a drain drained our resources
and worsened our debt
in 2019
my girls adjusted again
to life’s challenges
in 2019
we were given the rare chance
to make a difference
in 2019
we traveled through the country
searching for ourselves
in 2020
we’ll make a better life
everywhere we go
Beyond
our preparations
for this moment of our lives
go beyond torrejas
beyond this sweet sauce,
this Christmas stocking for you,
beyond this moment
our preparations
go beyond twenty-two years
when we were babies
when we were in love
as only the young can be
and he promised me
what promise, you ask?
to open our home with love
when it is needed
Seasonal Joy
semester’s endings:
our girls of many talents
fill our life with love
Pennies on the Pound
was this small reward
worth 200 work hours?
yes, yes, yes, fuck yes.
Birthday Painting
a new coat of paint
and rearranged furniture
can change your outlook
Middle Childhood
to celebrate love:
she’s fifteen on the fifteenth
surrounded by stars
Mount Bierstadt
first: the moon and sun
second: 8.5 miles
third: a fourteener
fourth: pomapoo strength
fifth: learning to climb mountains
sixth: altitude high
Learning to Love
the small sentences
of my Newcomer student
make teaching worthwhile
Bleed Purple
first Newcomer year
brings the joy of teaching back
at career’s midpoint
Step Write Up 