Before she left for college, 

we played stripped Twister 

on sweaty summer nights

that set the forest …

By Andy Cooper

One ticket, last red-eye.

“I'll take what she's drinking,” 

I say of the redhead ahead.

Glass in hand…

By Andy Cooper

Daylight spills,

blinds dance,

I shake with sobs.

Arms wide…

By Andy Cooper

Don't look at me—

unless you want the truth.

Stale smoke hung …

By Andy Cooper

Clothes on a clothesline,

a flash flood, dirty water

faith …

By Andy Cooper

Rays chase shadows,

a breeze knocks

the shutters—

sleep flees…

By Andy Cooper

Nathan entered,

keys on the island.

Lydia wasn’t curled

with a magazine…

By Andy Cooper

I parked—

“Understatement” faded.

Book in hand—

I sat by the river, rippling …

By Andy Cooper