They smiled with new hopes Without burdens on their backs The books told them stories Not theories with only facts They were free to run on the playground To paint the town colorful They were free to believe Free to dream Free to change the…

I sat on an old wishing chair A whining, rickety one at that I said, “To Paris, away with flair But it stood there looking like a doormat ” Fly”, I said, “or i’ll thrash you without care” “I must see Notre Dame and the…

Hunky armed men in heavy boots Carried their shovels like rifles. They were the finest workers The municipality could afford. Through the dust could be seen The outline of the last ’70s piano bar, The dusty ferns and jars of outdated antipasta Waiting secondary demolishment….

Every, if I could, if only, Virginia Carraway Stark Every muscle is slow and straining On this saturdau morn If I could stretch just a little bit further I could poke through my skin bird wings would spring free From gashed skin and every weakness…

Hands shaking Minds changing Peace making Skies blue Eyes witnessing Ears listening Hearts ministering Words true Arms dropping Harm stopping Opportunity knocking For more than few Great debating Love making War taking none Do you Have a dream too

Twelve next month, that preteen brink. I have a new step-daddy, a new baby sister too! Momma is so happy, I think-                   with everyone but you.   Says I must deserve the welt from the tops…

I am at sea, on a giant’s belly. He is so gentle that I am allowed To cross the waters with his aid. Such a nice passage! And he’s happy to help.   I give him a warm smile and I meet Some winged creatures,…

There are several of us unruly children climbing the stacks toppling books onto the floor constructing fortresses of fiction and using paperbacks as weaponry nearby a librarian mutters in disdain There are other uses for those   Stalling out in fervent play a faint humming…

To be awake is knowing this isn’t real in the flash of the landing Fom there to here is a long way Let the mattress catch me if I fall  

I was lying on the ground My head in his lap. Dazzled by his smile I felt such bliss.   Someone uttered “Give him a kiss!” And his eyes twinkled down at me; That mischievous grin that was always at the ready   I leaned…