Treasure   This morning I reflexively shoed away the squirrel from my garden. I assumed he was digging into my newly-planted flower pots.   After breakfast, I peeked out the bathroom window and was shocked to see the presumed thief. He was gathering strawberries,…

Late at night A blunt nosed leopard lizard couple burst into song from the base of an abandoned oil rig just east of Taft stubby faces alight with pleasure as they pursue Puccini. “Che gelida manina,” he croons. She swoons — as is only appropriate,…

Tiny boy Big cough Breaking heart Endless night Canceled plans Cuddled toys Scooby-Doo Popsicle favorites Mama’s kisses Daddy’s arms.

It’s a foreign country. I don’t speak the native tongue, recited as grease under the fingernails and steel-toe boots to work the pedals. Key’s got a tricky switch. Once it starts, there’s a guttural rev. More power than I have a need for, got nothing…

A skeptical turtle pokes his head out peering ahead squinting in the sunlight watches the other turtles bathing by the river whence inside his shell didn’t  like the topic last night not sure if he agreed that it was the best thing to sun bathe…

Constantly on the move, never takes a break Loud ticking, always keeps you awake Over and over Clock needles go round Keep to time, at least for the clock’s sake   This poem is an acrostic disguised as a limerick!

Annie the alligator Went on a date She went to the door And he was late They lost the table So to the diner they went But to eat a lot She was unable She enjoyed her girly shape Watching him eat, Her mouth went…

Crawling all over the trees all day Making nature documentarians frown And amazingly, doing the whole thing While hanging upside down This paragon of slow and steady Has recently sped up And now it’s felt the need for speed I doubt it’ll ever stop Its…

Off prompt/free write How cruel is it that ashes are all I have left of you to hold on to. And no matter my grip you will still slip right through my fingers.

Creature Feature #2   Eating popcorn in front of a black-and-white television, my fingers drenched in melted butter and iodized salt.   The Bride of Dracula has made her fatal mistake, while Frankenstein’s monster   only wants acceptance from a crowd intent on his eradication….