snuggle in

nap time

doesn’t matter what time of day
snuggle in

and before you know it
dog elbow in your thigh
snoring at your left
brown and golden fur
within arm’s reach
you didn’t even have to say anything
they just knew

mom’s resting
snuggle in

although you have less room than you did
something heavy, half on and half off
you can’t really move
but you feel it

one hundred and sixty pounds of dog pile
trying to heal your broken pieces
they don’t say a word
you feel it in your bones
in your soul
in the dark, cold parts
that even therapy can’t seem to reach

one snore
one yawn
doggy breath in the face
the assignment stands:

snuggle in
mom needs us


Not much to say…life has been life-ing a lot lately. It was a day of resting today. (I’m preparing this on a Sunday.) Naps. Quiet time, too much doom scrolling, probably. Watched a Pacific Rim movie. Need to do adult things. Don’t wanna. Sometimes vegging is just easier.

Hope you have a good week.

AJM

Poetry book “Remnants” to be published, but not in December 2025

So…have you ever started a project, and then you lose steam just when you think you’re sailing smoothly along? Yeaah, so that happened. I am still working on this project, but it will not be published at the end of this year.

Unfortunately, work and health and life have gotten in the way, but to be honest, though, I do feel somewhat excited to have a project to focus on in the winter months…if we all happen to survive by then, of course.

To reiterate…
This is a collection of new material from the last few years exploring the ‘what’s been left behind’ from my college years, who I am now, and the joys and struggles of being an adult. There are themes of feminism, mental health, self-doubt… and some silly poems about the weather, of course.

Look for it soon…publish date, TBD. I might also post less poetry content as I get my ideas together, but that’s a maybe. I feel like there is still a lot to say.

Not final cover. TBD!


In case you missed it, my other poetry book, Walking in Cemeteries, can be found on Amazon here.

security blanket

the neighbor’s dogs

didn’t want it

our golden retriever

didn’t either

but every night

our chocolate lab

carries it off the deck

brown and half-deflated

faded from the sun

it enjoys the ride

out into the yard

Koda’s ears perk up

his stance, square and at the ready

something snaps in the woods

he shakes his head

and growls with enthusiasm

the basketball shakes to and fro

it’s a good feeling

to be needed

as an adult

when i was little
i had someone tell me
“don’t be so eager to grow up”

i’ve had others judge me
like growing up was a competition
that i would fail at

and while i feel old and young
than i ever did before
it doesn’t change
the sadness that overwhelms me

growing up is over with
being an adult
happens now
and i
don’t
want
it

ADHD

and just like that

my thoughts disappear

they’ve gone somewhere

no longer here

I’d pull them back

if I could

my brain a block of solid wood

there’s no squish here

all grain and seed

maybe I should read

or was there something that I need

One thought, then the next, they bleed

meeting roadblocks and potholes

of ADHD

In case you missed it…new poetry book “Remnants” to be published December 2025!

This project is coming along!

This will be a collection of new material from the last few years exploring the ‘what’s been left behind’ from my college years, who I am now and the joys and struggles of being an adult. There are themes of feminism, mental health, self-doubt…and some silly poems about the weather, of course.

Not final cover. TBD!

There will be more posts about this project later on in the next few months.

In case you missed it, my other poetry book, Walking in Cemeteries, can be found on Amazon here.

another playtime

the wind sighs through the window
a gust of promises
smelling like a friend
our chocolate lab lifts his graying muzzle to it
soft ears blown back
he breathes deep
there’s no telling
what secrets
the wind whispers to him
maybe it says, come and play

our golden retriever crouches low
the sunlight catches his fur like liquid gold

he wiggles his butt again and then
they’re off!