I’ve been away long

I’ve been away

To scared to pick up

Pick up a pen

Traveled a hundred miles

Thought I’d escape

This earth-crushing burden

This life-sucking burnout

Let my mind wander

And it came running back

Tried to lose my mind

It followed from behind

And then in

All the midst

I lose you

Baby Bear

The one only constant

In my mess of a life

My green matted teddy

I reach but only find...

"Trunky! Trunky!" I wail, thrashing on my bed. Tears stream down my cheeks, and my tangled auburn hair sticks to my wet face. My emerald eyes dart around the room, wide with horror. "I need my elephant!"

Daddy is on the floor, shining a flashlight everywhere. "Where is it, Hilda? Did you hide it somewhere?" he asks, his voice sounding tired.

Mommy stands in the corner, rubbing her head. "Connor,...

“MOMMYYYYYYYY I LOST BEARYYYY,” I sob, tears trickling down my face as I try to stop the embers forming in my throat.

This was the 5th time Ive lost him.

“It's okay honey we’ll find it,” my mom says trying to comfort me.

We spent 2 hours lokkong for him.

”Im sorry honey i guess you with have to sleep without Beary.”

”Its okay,” I sniffle, “I have floppy.”

The following days everyone searche...

“Can you turn the radio up? Just for this song? It’s good I promise,” I plead with mommy.

Mommy turns the song up and I start singing along, and waving my hand outside the window to the guitar. We’re having the best day today, I love Saturdays! Sometimes I like staying home and watching cartoons, but today we went to the park and got ice cream. I watch out at the window as the song blares through...

Seven am stumbles down the stairs

hurrying for the stop and go of the morning commute

meeting dirty coffee mugs jostle protein shakes

Bleary-eyed congealed grease frying pan

discarded sneakers and every cabinet left open

telling tales of midnight breakfasts and teen romance

talking half the night away

talking until you fall asleep

a moment ago you dreamt in my arms

the weight of your head on my ...

The sun is going down

Yet, I cannot sleep.

I’m wearing my nighttime gown

Yet I keep going “Meep!”

“Meep! Meep!”

I cry, and whine.

Yet, I cannot sleep.

Earlier today I went to the zoo.

I think that’s how I lost Mrs. Moo.

Because, earlier on that sad, sad, day

I ran, in hopes that the ticket to Disneyland wouldn’t delay.

Of course

Running had nothing to do with Disneyland.

But I guess I just thoug...

Whenever I slept

I drifted gracefully into sleep.

Now though?

My sleepiness is weak.

I lost my best friend today

Mr. Neigh.

I was out at the Zoo

I saw a cool game and said

“Me wanna play Too!”

So I raced to the stand

And let go of Mr. Neigh.

He blew away!

Away..

Away..

So now?

I cannot sleep.

Because I have not one friend.

I am alone now.

Might as well sleep with the plow....

Mommy says it’s almost time for bedtime

The rain and thunder scares me

Daddy says it can’t get me inside

Meowy will protect me

I will just grab….where is she?

Meowy?

MEOWY!

No, no, no!

I played with her outside

And now it’s pouring

She must be so cold

Tears rain down my face

Daddy braves the pelting water

To carry out a rescue mission

Lightning flashes, thunder cracks

I shudder and cower and yelp

...

Mommy, daddy where is my power ranger?

Mom: well son I guess we forgot it at the shop, we will get it tomorrow

But mommy I want it now!!! Turn around and go get it!!

Mom: we can’t son we gotta go to the store

I couldn’t believe it, I didn’t get my way, I thought as were going to the store, how am I going to sleep now? I’m just 5 years old, I need my power ranger!...

Where is my stuffy?

In bed when my arms reach-

I hope they find him....