holding MY BOYFRIEND
in my hand
tiny candy hearts

three words
even Neruda
can't explain

huddled together
we relish the warmth
from our hearts

hooded sweatshirt
she explains
she can walk herself

fingertips
find my tummy—
spring butterflies

indescribable feelings
I tell her
my middle name

empty bar
nothing
worth noticing

we sit
in silence
and smile

next to me
your spot
is now a vacancy

windowless cell
the lonely tutor
spins in her chair

leftovers
scooped into Tupperware
—enough for two

words of love
in one ear
out the other

early morning sun.
heartbeat against
my shoulder

fettuccini alfredo
as soon as he finds
the strainer

the spring rain
holds only
unwarranted melancholy

insipid messages
on candy hearts
I throw out the pink ones

romantic evening
curled on the couch
just me and Ben & Jerry

salty tears
we kiss
for the last time

the lingering taste
of candy hearts
our lips meet

leaves fall
epochs pass
between the echos of her voice

morning dew
cool between my toes
a long kiss goodnight

faded polaroid
a wreath of daisies
my lost love dances

in the crystal
their forbidden love
reflecting

words
softly whispered
over candlelight

french words
from an irish girl's lips
I may be in love

a dozen chocolate roses
cherished not eaten
. . . diabetes

he hides
the heart shaped box
behind his back

someone to confide in
this sudden gust
of wind

moonlight kiss
as we leave the tavern
“we’ll you move to L.A. with me?”

lonely
fingers entwine
Southern Comfort

silence
I hang from your breath
by a telephone cord

long-stemmed roses
tangled up
in love

love notes
on my porch
junior high stalker

wrist roses
green satin gown
date ditches me

food wedged
in his braces
first date

dad’s birds and bees
a stack of videos
under the bed

the elderly couple
worn by life
sparkle in each other's eyes

forced laughter
at the creepy joke
I smile at him

low voices
the gold from her finger
on the table

years of eyes
lifetimes of smiles
we hold each other at last!

when I see
her
I melt.

crayon against cardboard
leaves "Love" behind
         glitter on the table

morning sunlight
in her sleep
she squeezes my hand

takes work
Is it worth it?
LOVE

sitting right beside me
  he
       is far away

I ask where we're going
just keep your eyes closed
she whispers

walks alone now
breeze still chilly
our old path

my best friend
         then
  my love

sweat forming on my brow
walking her home
should I reach for her hand

when all is gone
you come walking
always with the answer

empty
shoebox decorated
for valentines

first kiss
his mouth
swallows my face

inside the quiet bus
he slips his hand
under my hip

my soldier overseas
a beautiful bouquet
on the doorstep

gentle spring rain
all alone in the wood
her tears on my cheek

cold, wet nose
tickles my cheek
“puppy love”

side by side
I listen as you
fall asleep

early morning raindrops
from the eyes
of fallen angels

winter night
snow on the ground
warm hearts