Toll Statement

**FINAL NOTICE**

Statement ID: 646 days.

License: Pending government approval.

Previous Charges: Empathy. Generosity. Kindness.

New Charges: Betrayal. Ignorance. Deception.

Amount Due: Loyalty. Awareness. Truth.

Due Date: 35 days ago.

**We recommend you send your payment 646 days in advance to allow for forgiveness time.**

DO NOT SEND LIES.

Postage Paid

i want the cute cat
and not the cracked-up pavement
through the broken woods

Grin and Bear It

Toy Story 3. Now.
i could carry the bag out
and cry all morning
a toy, a trigger?
my girl is off to college.
(this is no cartoon).
and so he will stay.
though i know she will leave me.
each grinning their truth.

Sunflower Anniversary

twenty-three years back
i married this blue-eyed boy
who brings me my sun

Road Trip 2021, Day Twenty-two (The Final Day)

before the long drive,
enjoy the perfect park. shop.
soak up cousin time.
eat your sister’s meal
till the next time you see her.
too long (just too long).
your daughters will drive.
together, we can make it.
we will rule the night.
it’s all we can rule
with the oldest off to school
we can rule the night.

Road Trip 2021, Day Twenty (Lex Beauty)

Kentucky surprise:
shadows, trees, sun, nieces, joy,
progressive murals
don’t assume you know
the beliefs of a red state
until you’ve been there

Road Trip 2021, Day Fourteen (ROAD Island)

this “bike path” presents:
sea-level cycling; beach
(rode on Rhode Island)
there’s seafood here, too.
and family filled with smiles
and gardening goals

Road Trip 2021, Day Nine (Waterfalls)

you can’t understand 
the traffic-less upstate life
till you’re on the road
the road with vineyards
and wineries everywhere
the empty lake roads
you can’t understand 
waterfalls till you’ve seen these
cutting out gorges
if you knew, you’d know
just how perfect this place is
(it’s carved in sandstone)
but you’re not here, right?
so let me spill this clear view:
it’s a waterfall
it’s a waterfall 
that feeds this glacial magic
(also named heaven)

Road Trip 2021, Day Six (Win Trails)

cycle to the wine
a trail along Keuka Lake
and these sweet smiles

Road Trip 2021, Day Three (Canandaigua Love)

words cannot describe 
how much these hills feel like home
(what was once my home)
an empty highway,
a rural life, cloudy skies
and. oh yes. this lake.
you can’t picture it.
so let me draw you a map.
my Finger Lakes love.
yes, it’s just a store.
you can only imagine
what a store could be.
Colorado born
yet half my childhood is
upstate New York bred
can you taste the plums?
fresh from the roadside farm stand
just pop them in. wait.
you’ll be here with me.
choosing the best ears of corn.
loving, loving life.