It was early October.

I'd hoped it might be different—

cancer returned,

cursed a blessing…

By Andy Cooper

Thunder through pine,

lightning crashes—

thunder muffles

Chad’s sobs…

By Andy Cooper

A brisk haze hangs—

crisp air drifts,

heat pushes through

the vents…

By Andy Cooper

Ellie bartended—

minimum wage, tips,

rent money, cash

for Rachel's …

By Andy Cooper

The sun sank,

lower than my pride,

below the horizon;

a breeze warmed…

By Andy Cooper

Day bleeds peach

and velvet.

Neon CASTLE ROCK sign

glows in the window…

By Andy Cooper

I’m not half as bad

as Quinn tells her friends.

Phone to her ear,

she spills us…

By Andy Cooper

Before she left for college, 

we played stripped Twister 

on sweaty summer nights

that set the forest …

By Andy Cooper