The tropical heat percolated on the small of her back, It was the early 60s, in Trenchtown.   The flies bothered them only in the morning, In the night, they clung to the ceiling and watched them make love.   His dreadlocks the color of…

Lights and sounds strobe around me Sleep deprivation creates phantoms flashes Almost taking form Like traffic speeding by Eyes Open! Awake! I make myself small. I make myself fade. Heart racing Mind numb Calm and still So no one notices No one sees No one…

Fourteen-stories of hotel towered over downtown Minneapolis; the massive pine by our back drive stretched nearly to the tenth the bottom boughs canopied out, branches looping upward, forming a cozy, sweet-smelling cave we rented out rooms, not the tree still, guests were often staying  there…

I dance with their rules, give them a spin just long enough to get by. To earn a buck, I’ll do what they say. But stay too long, and you’re infiltrated. You start thinking in khaki. Your polo shirt collar gets ’round your mind.  …

I will fall in love the day I see you. You and all four of your paws, Your big beautiful eyes will melt me like butter, Your golden hair, will shine even on the gloomiest of days. My future puppy. My future love.

We walk and she yawns expectantly. Her sweet eyes, and smile whisper, “Time to go home.” Guiding me back, her red and white hair shimmers with each step. Swirling wind encircles us like a dust devil moving past.   She sighs softly, her eyes reflecting relief. Leaning…