April 20

JOANNA HAS CURLY HAIR

Perfect, soft, gold locks
wind themselves up after bath.
Where did they come from?

April 18

SWEET RUIN

Spring cleaning is done.
Bright toys are everywhere, still.
Our house: a sweet ruin.

April 14

TODAY'S MENU

A cream cheese sandwich
for Jo, two popsicles for Em--
first red (strawberry), then yellow (banana).



JO JO STANDS ALONE FOR AT LEAST TWENTY SECONDS

Holding a thin book light,
she doesn't even think it.
Alone, on two feet,
Just like the rest of us.

April 8

SHARKS PATROL THESE WATERS

In the tub, slick as
a fish, Em plays. Plastic shark
wiggles through small sea.

March Ending

EMERSON HAS FALLEN OFF THE SWING

She wanted to fly,
but earth had other ideas.
I hope she learns
nothing from this.



SLEEP DEPRIVATION

Jo wakes too early,
5 AM. She is angry.
Daylight savings sucks.



CURTIS PARK GARDEN COORDINATOR

I control the land.
Here; fill out this form,
give me a check.
Small squares of weedy earth.

I give out plots to diggers,
urban pioneers,
but where are the true owners?
Where have they gone?



EMERSON IS A BAD GIRL

She wakes her sister
from her nap, self-pleased and smug.
Time out: Four hours
(okay, four minutes).