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
HoCo Royalty
milestones
Goodbye My Beauty
it's almost over
(we say goodbye tomorrow)
for now, there's a view
Youngest Driver
my baby's driving
(i can't believe she's fifteen)
and finding her way
Disappearing Milestones
the youngest’s birthday
(an early celebration)
before big sis leaves
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.
Permitted
with a perfect score
my youngest surprises me
(she’s ready to drive)
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 Two
our youngest driver
plowing through rain, construction
toward the great Erie
our road trips have changed
as the girls become adults
yet, they’re still the same
local food, great views,
the ever-changing weather,
seeing every state
Only a Few Servings Left
a weak pea harvest
(summer slips through soft moments
between camping; school)
yet the girls giggled
as they shucked their peas from pods
(no longer my peas)
summer’s soft moments
so fleetingly green and fresh
each year grown harder
CycleLife
"bikes for everyone"
is our summer camp motto
(if not, it should be)
what did we just learn?
first, bike vocabulary:
then, real practice
the best from today?
my daughter's helpful patience
(a prospective teacher)
at sixteen years old
learning to ride can be hard
(a kind heart can help)
childhood bullies
prevented her from riding
till my girl taught her
no award for this
no graduation medal
yet, better than gold
Step Write Up 