I am learning you How our hands touch, your smile Blackberries in spring

New parts of you bloom Bright through the twisting thicket Fireflies at woods edge

We touch, the comfort Of years between our edges Soft rain on the skin

Love made someone new A deep river growing wider Honeysuckle drifts

I have fallen deep Into the habit of love Cricketsong from high grass

Umbrellas bloom bright, Neon carrots, purple beans— A rainbow in rain.

Rain drumbeats on tents, Lively chatter, laughter bursts— Market hums alive.

Soggy socks squelching, Pickle jars cool, smooth as glass— Textures weave a quilt.

Mint mingles with mud, Popcorn popping, earthy steam— A scent kaleidoscope.

2024 Blue walls are crumbling How quickly the conjurors are melting away

2025 Budget papers leaked insiders Not wholly true but close enough

2026 Half term Oranges And other even more cumbersome metaphors

2027 Blue walls are still dissolving with toxic microplasticity

2028 Five years pass, sheep are grazing in what seem mostly greener fields

Mustang roars, wind sings, Back roads map our wild hearts' flight— Soundgarden blaring.

Hard times, thin wallets, Love's fabric stretched, yet unfrayed— Somehow made ends meet.

Storms brew, harsh words clash, Warm and happy home turns cold. Still, we chose to stay.

Sorry’s never said, Broken heart full of regret. Death swept you away.

New dawn, life renews, Past love rests in heart's chamber— Growth, with you in mind.

Year One: Love blooms, hearts entwined, Vows exchanged, forever bind, Two souls, unified.

Year Two: Tiny hands, so sweet, New life brings joy, love complete, Mom and Dad’s embrace.

Year Three: Dark clouds gather near, Husband strikes, igniting fear, Shattered dreams, tears fall.

Year Four: Courage found within, Precious child she must defend. Heart heavy, but brave.

Year Five: Healing light shines bright, Mother and child when the fight. Freedom’s sweet embrace.

Scared of my shadow My full self wants to say hi The closet stays locked

I’ve told my friends now To them I am the same me But I’m not, I’m more

Bloomed to my full self I want my parents to know But they won’t like it

My dad shrugged it off My mom had a full meltdown Her dream daughter’s gone

I thought I came out But I have a girlfriend now We never discuss

We were still so young When we met at “once upon” Fresh out of grade one

We were only teens When “you and I” became “we” Together and free

We were barely grown When a ring made you my own And we bought our home

But then you fell ill You did not get well with pills Living lost appeal

You could hardly breathe And the illness killed with ease Why did you leave me…?

Year 1: It’s leukemia. Chemo, arsenic, blood work. This is my life now.

Year 2: Doc said it. It’s gone! I beat what should have killed me. I can live my life.

Year 3: It lingers inside. Thoughts that it might reappear Stronger and vengeful.

Year 4: It didn’t come back. It won’t. Because it knows me. I will win again.

Year 5: It’s Leukemia. Acute, promyelocytic but it didn’t win.

Fingers in fingers, The doctors say I made it, Married to the day.

Mother gone home now, Crying into my lunchbox, Failing to see friends.

Sixth form just in time, Blossoming character born, Old friends still with me.

Mother there but gone, Sticking to the sofa bored, Job won’t ever come.

About to be there, My life has a routine now, Like it should have had.

Death of a neighbor Inheritance in book boxes Spring is to knowing

Reads the Naked Sun Reflections of Mules and Men Summer warms ideas

Born venture of risk Thoughts it brings the Fall of me Struggles without ends

Winter storms grows seeds Invention’s door, opens new life Fifteen years then light

Seasons build new worlds Wealth created from within Wait tomorrow’s here