Night drags into dawn.

Warmth in pain, fades pure chills.

Forgive what's real.

By Andy Cooper

Leaves glistened—

green dulled under cloud.

October slipped away.

She let me in…

By Andy Cooper

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