Poems

These are some of my newest poems.

I've recently started sharing them with the world through literary magazines. Check back for more poems and posts on the ones that get published!

THOUGHTFUL

Higher Education

“Steve McCannon!”
I hear my name
the applause
but, I can only think of the last four years
all the late nights
the exams I studied for
moments I wanted to quit
But in an instant, all that I suffered
vanishes
the Dean gives me my diploma

Writer's Block

nothing comes and inspiration feels
like a cold Winter’s Day
Barren
“Why do I write?!” I shout into the bathroom mirror
desperate for sunlight
Then something tells me
“Because you love reading it back
Feeling the sadness
joy
or terror of your words”
Writing heals me, I think
then suddenly
Spring blossoms!

A Peacock Spring

“Caw-Caw!” the peacock cries out in
the zoo’s garden
spreading his tail between pink April roses wafting
through the air
“What’s that?” my daughter asks
“A peacock, dear
The King of the garden” 
Julia shakes her head
“No, Dad. He’s in Love!” 
In Love?
LOVE?
Then behind the blue lavender
we hear “Caw-Caw!”

Funny

Haley’s Voice

Desmy eyesight is getting bad
I can’t see far
not like I used to
“Grandma!”
it’s Haley
she’s calling out
I know it’s her
I could never forget her sweet voice or
the first time I held her in my arms
14 years ago
“Here are your glasses!” she says
I giggle.

Old Bessie's Leg

Old Bessie got me
… Again!
a hard kick right in the gut—Ouch!
for a mule she’s got the legs
of a thoroughbred racehorse
her shoes needed changin’ and I
tried staying out of her aim
but she took a side-step and kicked!
at least this time it wasn’t pee

Family Secret

the house is so
quiet when they’re gone
both kids are at school and the father
doesn’t get back until late
mom is okay, but I think she prefers the cat
“Princess”
I hate the cat
she snarls at me
hogs mommy’s lap
so I’m stuck with no one to play with
but I heard a secret yesterday and can’t wait
until Princess hears it too
she’s going to SCREAM!
mom’s pregnant.

Prove Your Love

I stared long at the ceiling and then turned to dim the lights
in bed, I asked Jim
“Do you miss me when we’re apart?”
“Yes.”
he said
“Do you enjoy my company?”
he said “Of course”
I looked at him reading and
muttered “Do you see a future with me?”
he nodded with “I read that Cosmo mag above the toilet too”