Shoulders

Have you ever seen

someone laugh

with their shoulders?

up

and 

down

like they are shaking

away all the things 

that weigh on these

human ledges and 

keep then slouched. 

Oregon Pinot

When I saw the woman

walking downtown

wiping her eyes

with a mcdonalds napkin 

I could only hope 

she was heading home

to trade that napkin 

for an Oregon Pinot 

crafted in the Willamette 

Valley where the grapes

are squeezed and processed 

to become the comfort for us

women who have cried in public. 

Quilt

I am used to compliments

laced with intentions

and my honesty knitted

to misconceptions. 

I am making a quilt

of every moment

I have sat at a bar

with a man buying

me drinks while I still 

felt cold. Tonight,

I will turn in early with 

the heaviness of this fabric

trying to warm me

in my sleep.