These two women were your distant cousins, our mother said
This photo was not attractive; I know my face got red
I did not want to say what I thought, for it was not kind
But were these children for real or was she out of her mind?
Dusk shone lavender toned skies upon the mountain field
where scattered trees with wizened limbs were steeled to ground.
High grass tickled their small legs while they giggled and ran.
Intoxicated by freedom from rules and the summon of fireflies,
they were four cousins with jars on a lark never known before.
All under nine but two would wake the morn to lifelong heartache.
I usually give my dogs a treat in Cousin’s Park
This is where my grandchildren once played.
It has a fort, two slides, a swingset, and other kid stuff.
The grandchildren have outgrown it.
I should rename this Dog Park.
But we have a metal sign that says Cousin’s Park.
I don’t want to take that away from the grandchildren.
Sometimes they come up here and goof around.
Pretending they are little again.
Today I popped the lid off the treat tub.
My puppy pushed his head inside, so I could not see.
Dragged things of mine out of it.
My older dog waited. He is more polite.
They both know there are treats in here.
I am glad the raccoons have not found them yet.
I know they would have no trouble whipping off this plastic lid.
I give each dog a treat and settle down to write.
I write ten poem a day up here.
called Black Betty
she’s graceful
a rare beauty
still, quite a handful
she’s had her share
of adventure
and misadventure
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
Scarlet was impulsive, impetuous, and hasty.
Her cousins said her decisions were reckless.
I felt they were repeating their parents’ words.
Their parents made fun of everyone.
Scarlet was intuitive, determined and lucky too.
Most of the time her decisions panned out for her.
She married a man after knowing him nine days.
Their marriage lasted 71 years, until his death.
Scarlet quit twenty-eight jobs before finding her career.
Nay-saying cousins had much to say about this.
She quit many jobs on the first day, before lunch.
They thought this was hysterically amusing.
When you quit jobs this fast, it does not take long…
to successfully eliminate twenty-eight jobs that were not right.
She returned to school and became a counselor.
She loved this job, held on to it for twenty-seven years.
The cousins no longer call her reckless.
They consider her risk-taking wise now.
She has been content most of her life.
I think the cousins are more forgiving since their parents are gone.
Enthusiastic about her teenage cousin’s visit that day,
Claire tried to keep herself busy in the very best way.
She painted her excitement in colors on her bedroom wall.
Before her parents returned, she painted down the hall.
When they returned they were distressed at her mural.
I think it is marvelous said her creative cousin, Pearl.
Patriotic cousins saluted the flag with respect.
Genuine pride in the USA they did reflect.
Their smiles were genuine, their clothes were pristine
Honesty and faith resonated from them with sheen.
Patriotic cousins saluted the flag with respect.
Genuine pride in the USA they did reflect.
Their smiles were genuine, their clothes were pristine
Honesty and faith resonated from them with sheen.
laughter arises
beneath the spreading birches
close-knit cousins play
What a gorgeous hat for the Derby someone whispered to Lee
Several cousins turned to stare, they seemed jealous to me.
Using words like persnickety, nasty, ridiculous and such
I thought they were crazy; I liked this hat very much!
The turquoise color reminded me of the deep blue sea
Pink fluffy stuff looked like chiffon tulle to me
I especially liked the pops of fluorescent green
The cousins poking fun came across as jealous and mean
the cousins are here!
The cousins are here!
brother Bob falls off the couch and lands on his rear.
the dog laughs when his foot lands upside down in his beer
His cousins run in and scoop him up without fear
Yelling “are you okay? my dear, oh my dear!”
dressed in clown costumes, from St Cloud McFear
I stay out of the way when the cousins are here
The clan began singing before I saw the hippy dippy van.
It ripped around the mountain, and we heard its ceiling fan.
hollering and the wailing came to our ears with the smacking too.
It was the wild McCorlick Cousins, straight from Kalamazoo!
They are evil and they’re naughty, and they make us all laugh.
We were not surprised at all to see a contraband giraffe.
Their father is crazy, and their mother is beyond coping.
They came tearing down the street. No one here is moping!
It was the end of the day; the game had been fun
For winners and losers, we were all family now.
Today's marriage of our favorite grandparents
Set today's mood, a strong bond of communion and love
Here are both sets of grandchildren, enjoying a free trip to Hawaii
Celebrating the happiest new couple who wed in their eighties.
We knew it would be great. We had told our parents this.
Some had listened. Others had been dubious.
Had they opened their hearts?
We were trying to find a good place to play one last game of ball
On the beach where people we love had wed this morning.
We are all family now, one for all and all for them.
The sundown is bringing us optimism and hope.
Cherishing The Triumphs of others,
Ready for their suicidal orders:
Spellbound by their Astonishing Peaks,
These discussing for tireless weeks:
The Tall Mountains France has ascended,
In their praises lowly descended …
Marvelous ideas of US Tribes,
Whereas they can challenge their own scribes;
World Bests’ become their Third Cousins,
Only last week with them tasty cuisines
New Types Good Morning at 6:00am
Man City shall Chelsea serve Bad Yam
Or, it has not been The Infrequent:
BARCA has huge faith that doesn’t faint!
And it has been a commendation:
The Gooks’ Breakthrough and Mediation,
Their Steadfast Wondrous Technology
And luck with Global Synergy;
A mockery of their own delays
In the running of The Spread-out Relays
Their own strides hurting with crossed fingers ...
Improvement on Hand-Made Bombs lingers.
Three cousins who know how to sew
Are cutting and talking and laughing.
Telling stories that make no sense to grown ups
But are hilarious to each other.
Stitch. Stitch. Stich. Hem. Hem. Hem.
Sew. Sew. Sew. Using a thimble.
Cutting threads, showing each other their projects.
Dolly’s blouse, dolly’s skirt, dolly’s dress.
Three cousins making memories
That will be forgotten for sixty years
Until they find their box of dolly clothes
And it all comes back, making them smile.
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