On my tenth birthday, my neighbors jokingly declared me the mayor of my cul-de-sac. I had long since been the organizer of our childhood games, along with my brother, who was the oldest of our merry band. Still, there were different expectations for the two of us. He was called vivacious. I was called mature.

I never asked for such a title, its implications wearing heavily on my bony, childish shoulders. I wanted to be a kid, who could get...

On my tenth birthday, my neighbors jokingly declared me the mayor of my cul-de-sac. I had long since been the organizer of our childhood games, along with my brother, who was the oldest of our merry band. Still, there were different expectations for the two of us. He was called vivacious. I was called mature.

I never asked for such a title, its implications wearing heavily on my bony, childish shoulders. I wanted to be a kid, who could get...

when i was a kid i would stare
outside my window 
head banging against the glass 
as the shattered reds of car lights 
streamed in upon my face 
i was looking at the moon 

if you look closely, the moon
has gentle eyes and a round stare
no expression worn upon her face
and the sky becomes her window
so that even with the lights
out i can look outside the glass

her reflection in...