Treehouse

I have been known

to make my home

above being inadequate.

Pine needles drape

around my safe space. 

I have pulled back

at enough bark

to know when there is sap

underneath, the perfect perch

for my sub par paintings. 

But here I am, today,

at the top of this building. 

I will jump

from the rooftop

and be caught by autumn. 

Like a child jumping to her parent,

I have always trusted 

the arms of trees. 

Distraction

All I thought about

when I was with you

was you.

I could have loved you 

had not your swift goodbye

so easily reminded me of the reasons

I still think of another.

I never wanted to realize

everything you are not. 

Family

Her mother tried to snap

one too many pictures. 

The moment at the coffee shop

was unnecessarily captured. 

And I was captured by the necessary

realization that I need

to be annoyed by a family

taking too many pictures. 

Crows Feet

Defeat is etched in the corner

of her eyes

like the rings of a tree

or the silver ring

never swiveled around her finger. 

She can temporarily smooth

it over with a smile

of desperation

while she laughs at the words 

of men much younger. 

Writing prompt: Don't let go

Don't let go of how you criticize

everything I do. 

For once, I have thought less. 

Don't let go of pretending 

to care so equally because 

the realization of falsehood

is too much for one. 

Don't let go of trying to control me. 

Don't let go of me. 

I still need someone

to hold me.