My fingers. My thumbs. 

My mattress even though

I wish I could afford a better one.

My grandma’s beef stew that has no salt in it.

The snow. The heated seats in my car.

Falling in love.

My cousin Adam who I talk to on the phone three times a week

and with whom I will never run out of things to say.

The rivers. Writing in groups.

Heartbreak.

The washing machine and dryer in the basement.

My parents' fat dog, Charlie.

The mountains. My therapist.

Getting into bed at night.

The printer that my ex left behind. The rain.

Waking up without an alarm. My toaster oven.

Writing alone.

All the French fries I have ever eaten in my life.

Reading before bed. The mountain air.

My cell phone even though I hate it too.

Gas stations. The ocean.

Chinese restaurants. The smell of ponderosa pines.

Gel pens. My parents' dog again. 

Alexander Shalom Joseph is an award-winning poet, writer and playwright from Gilpin County, and is the author of seven published books. You can find his work and more information about him at www.alexandershalomjoseph.com.