Missed the bus

Now she has time to
blow dry her hair while I rub
away sleep, then drive.

Other daughter’s boyfriend

Bandana over
his sweet smile, ninja to his
anime girlfriend.

Daughter’s boyfriend

He won me over
with his Facebook comment on
her profile picture

Christmas cards

Photos we look bad
in. Braggy newsletter. That’s
how we keep in touch.

Unemployed Christmas

Can days be merry
and bright? Jobs – like ornaments –
fragile, out of reach.

Ugly photo

She keeps it displayed
to remind herself that once
she didn’t know it

She watches me…

…create. Impatient
that I won’t pay attention
when I’m writing stuff.

Driving kids to camp

Flat mapped names turn in-
to forested hills, roads wind
towards adventure.

Not among the 6%

“Let’s go to the beach!”
One kid, online, shrugs as the
other keeps texting.

“In a typical week, only 6 percent of children ages nine to thirteen play outside on their own.”
from The Option of Urbanism: Investing in a New American Dream by Christopher B. Leinberger

First job

At the interview
J’s hired on the spot, full of
new employee glee.