1.

the thing i love
most about
driving in new
jersey
are the conditions
of the roads

the thing i hate
most about
driving in new jersey
are the drivers

2.

old blue
houses
leaning into
each other
like retired
neighbors
sharing
meaningless gossip
across
worn fences

seaglass chimes
and driftwood
gardens
blossom for
a summer
then sleep
with the coming
of october fires

3.

white feather
flashes
across wet
erosions
mirroring
boats
sailing shadowless
across atlantic
currents

4.

the kids have
never seen
the ocean before
and it received
mixed reviews
the oldest
thought herself
a mermaid
while the youngest
prefers a pool

still
they smiled
like holidays
having never
seen the ocean
before
and it occurs
to me
that i have never
seen it like this
either

5.

there is nothing
like seeing your children
discover new joys

it is something
that i can't put
into words or other
absolutes or abstractions

other than it
makes you remember
what you are here for

but i still think
new jersey drivers
still suck