Poetry
— A young writer celebrates the simple pleasures of a family camp by a lake—sailboats, loons, hammocks, and the feeling of being protected from the world.
— A poem cataloging moments of joy and freedom — from fireside reading to summer swimming — before an alarm clock shatters the dream.
— A fifth-grader reflects on the finality of elementary school's last day, from yearbook signings to the bell's final ring that marks the end of childhood routines.
— A child who once wished on stars for fun now wishes for more time with someone dying, then takes back the wish to end their suffering.
— A roller skater crashes into a puddle but celebrates the joy of the ride despite the muddy, bruised ending.
— A child climbs to a tree house and observes the small details of nature—an ant carrying a leaf, a bird taking flight—before settling down to read.
— A young rider recalls beloved horses and the exhilarating moment of her first successful jump, feeling her heart soar as Violet leaps into the bright blue sky.
— A harness racing scene unfolds through storm imagery, where horses' hoofbeats create a rhythmic song against the track in rain and wind.
— A bilingual poem where water becomes the island where grandmother lives, with bears, ocean lullabies, and uncle's fishing boat.
— A catalog of simple sensory pleasures builds to an unexpected direct address, transforming observation into intimate connection.