Left Turns Only

Fate so cruel in her wicked ways

what makes her so important

in the grand scheme of things anyway?


Threads unraveling, paths unclear,

what I did I don't know, but this is real

Mass Misunderstanding and Graves

Anarchy might have taught you, but she never did have the heart to care about you.

Youth may have bullied you, but he was just jealous of the light in your eye.

Love probably missed you, but if only you'd have been patient she was handcrafting your soulmate.

Poor Faith, was your friend in school, she didn't deserve this kind of behavior either. 

Following the Road

Remember to collect memories, but sometimes the souveniers are too heavy to make the trio home. 

Party Time!

However you choose to celebrate your little victories, make sure there is both joy and responsibility. 

Not about the Results

Sometimes all you have to do offer is your best foot forward. And I'm okay with that, especially if we smile along the way. 

Still Bubbly About Cappuccinos

Just because we've outgrown the iconic pajamas and our back yard is less scenic doesn't mean we can't be as close (or happy) as we were on your birthday five years ago. 

Flowers Wilt Twice as Fast

Forgive me, Darling, but I'm writing
about you again. You've been
in my system all damn day long.

Anyway, I was driving today,
along the California coast
and the gulls cried your name.

Then I passed a cematery
littered with balloons, so I
got to wondering how your's looks,

which led me to kicking myself
because I haven't been by
(it's the least I could have done.)

Shine brightly where you are,
I'll see you again soon -
even if the distance grows. 

The Smell of Lilacs in January

Another year has passed and tides have turned,

I've lost another set of lovers' souls, and time

moves so much faster with each month gone.


Words unsaid will be insignificantly forgotten

as promises unkept burn with remembrance,

coffee tastes bitter no matter how you doctor it -

like orange juice and toothpaste mixing again.


Maybe this year I'll finally move on,

get up and get out of these ruts I've formed

chasing after your ghost. It'd be nice to have

a fresh start somewhere new, even with him

I am reminded of you: how you pushed me away.


Another year has gone to the grave

buried beneath memories no one thought

twice about saving, six feet under

letters started but never finished and

envelopes addressed - not sent.


I'm doing much better out here,

I learned how to walk on my own

and I'm not falling as much (at least

that's what my therapist says).


But the smell of lilacs drifts in the breeze

finding its way to me, still leads me


to asking myself


how you


might be doing.

Tripping Over Future Apologies

We'd all be spoiled rotten if there were more heartbreakers like you. 

Cockatoo Feathers and All

With you, I spent my summers
pressing flower petals between
the pages of my red leather diary
and wearing feathers from your
pet bird in my hats and hair
(which were really your hats - I know)

The vivid yellow of her headfeathers
matched your personality
the same way I matched wildflowers.

We spent rainy days singing
and passed sunny ones reading.
Coffee was a must and so were
cupcakes (for every holiday).

With you I grew up and
embraced my inner child -
without meaning to, you taught
me about living life blissfully -
triton cockatoo feathers and all.