Boxing Day I got a shark for Christmas A soft grey elephant too I hope that for my birthday I’ll get to chew a shoe

Pages Towered on tables Squished under chairs Dropped by the door Or climbing up stairs Some are cared for Others torn One just opened All at home

Visitor (Revised) There’s a toad in the yard In grass by a jar Of herbs that were planted And promptly neglected He’s found a spot Where the sun’s not so hot And water drips slow From a faucet that broke Will he stay in that place In cool shade-grace And live in my yard With

Revisiting an earlier draft of this one: Souvenirs The rain started after my bucket-list climb up the famous “Rocky” steps. Shoes squishing, I ducked into a nearby shop. The place smelled like grilled onions and leftover pizza. Bumping past stacks of Liberty Bell trinkets, I

The Dress Shirt borrowed thrifted slouching collar mine for a dime yours for a dollar

Ice Cream Two spoons in a bowl Two hearts taking hold Too young yet to know someone has to wash the dishes