poetry

protectors

protectors

heavy with the care of a short-lived creature
I enter the quiet home
of the great big trees
where all the sounds are softened

they tower over us draped in moss bunting
make us feel small in a good way
a toddler hiding behind her mama’s skirts

now old enough that their grey bark
has grown green
they saw so many cut down
a century ago

and yet here the survivors stand
still rooted
still patiently making shade and air for everyone
despite everything we might do

poetry

perspective

perspective

on this first full green-blue day of panicked spring
I cup a little brown mouse in my palm
put my lips to her round warm ear
and whisper
until every last fear has exited my chest
in a slow stream of warm urgent breath
carrying bits of my heart and mind
into her delicate nervous system

she blinks
twitches her whiskers
pats my thumb with her paw
as if to say
oh sweet one
imagine having a nestful of blind babies
surrounded by silent owls
you never know
when disappointment may come
all you can do
is greet the sun
with whatever semblance of thanks you can muster
any day it deigns to shine

poetry

vernal equinox

vernal equinox

sun and shadow
trace a straight
up and down line
meaning its time
for buds to burst
chicks to hatch
ice to melt
day and night
to meet in the middle
all accounts to balance
before rushing headlong
toward summer

poetry

getaway

getaway

the only distractions here
are mergansers gliding through
gold and black bands
trailing slashes
sometimes the hoarse hiccup of gull
or a loon’s two-pitched wail

a time to rest and be

but always the nagging thought
am I doing enough?
how can I move
like the trees around me
whose leaf buds burst quietly
unfurl effortlessly
make air without thought
do what the plan prompts
just flow in accordance with all

poetry

Saanich Blessing

Saanich Blessing

May the waters be smooth before your curragh.
May the firm warm bud of springtime
always live in your heart.
May you and yours breathe easy and sleep sound
all of your starry nights.
May you feel the love flowing from one and all to you
even when you be all alone.
May the sun’s warmth be a reminder
of the healing power of positive energy.
May the Easter lily show you
how to thaw even the deepest snows.
And when the next fiery sunset arrives
may the slender otter and
the tranquil mergansers sigh and say
all is well
for another day.