Small Stones 7/26

Dirt-smudge toe prints confetti the ladder to her bed;
artifacts of a barefoot summer.

Small Stone 7/25

Before they scattered in retreat...
Before I reached in, with damp cloth, for the kill...
Before I was close enough to see clearly...
Specks of coarsely ground pepper on a stray cheerio.

Small Stone 7/24

A crooked square of blinding light breaks the shadow on the stucco wall; with loose corners, a right angle leans a little to the left.

Small Stone 7/23

Settling into a cool night, plexiglass crackles like stiff joints.

Small Stone 7/22

Shifting perspective changes the answer to the question. Again.

Small Stone 7/21

The tink tink tink of metal tags makes a puppy's presence known.

Small Stone 7/20

Gathering old newspapers into a pile, her arms only large enough to hold a bundle of three, she asks if we should keep them for the fire place - for a day when it's really cold and there's a "tongue-twister" outside.

Small Stone 7/19

Double dutch ropes of rainbowed sunlight turn on the vinyl pool's floor.

Small Stone 7/18

The six-bladed shadow whirls opposite its counterpart; they dance yin-yang on my ceiling.

Small Stone 7/17

A slithered whisper is the gentle breeze that sneaks up on me, mimicking a lover's breath, sweeping across bared skin - neck, shoulders - tracing the lines of my collarbone like a prelude to a kiss.