Of Pelicans and Life

February 7, 2019.Reading time 2 minutes.

Ric spots them first – an almost endless line of birds heading our way. American White pelicans! They gather as a group just above where we are stalled, waiting for the ferry, and circle the area before continuing their journey. As one group leaves, another follows in a seemingly endless stream. “There must be thousands!” […]

The Book Club

January 29, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

“I’ve just been reading about you in the bathtub. That is you in the bathtub, right? At least that’s how I read it.” It’s Mom. Calling to check up on how I’m doing. She’s been worried about me since I travelled home to see her. She’s referring to a poem I wrote: A Body in the Bathtub. “Yes, it […]

A Heart Full of Gratitude

January 23, 2019.Reading time 1 minute.

On the occasion of Ric’s birthday, it’s difficult not to feel deep gratitude for this dear man I’ve had the pleasure of sharing life with these past sixteen years. From those first witty exchanges online to our initial meetings, I was intrigued: here was a man with intelligence and passion that listened and responded, encouraging […]

Travels

January 9, 2019.Reading time less than 1 minute.

First frost we are plotting –elaborate schemes to escapewinter’s unforgiving chill. Palm trees and blue waters,the flight of parading pelicans –such allure for aging Northerners. Years past, we have travelled far –Europe, Scandinavia, and Mediterranean –this season, Texas has captured our hearts. (For Lens-Artists challenge: my travels.)

Bedside Conversations

January 8, 2019.Reading time 3 minutes.

“Mom, I want you to know that I don’t harbour any ill will toward our past. If I seek to know what happened, it is only to understand myself so that I might heal.” Mom nods, considers my words. “There is so much I could have done differently.” “No. You did what you could with […]

Shake Ups

January 5, 2019.Reading time 4 minutes.

The new year grabbed me in a choke hold and hog-tied me before I had a chance to even think about what it might bring. It started with a text that my mother was in hospital, followed by a harried searching of flights and anxious speculating about how I’ll get home. Me, who hasn’t ventured […]

A Pine Cone Un-pocketed

December 6, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Another day, I would have pocketed this gem, and gathered a few more, with dreams of painting them gold for Christmas along with the grandchildren – laughter and silliness filling the air. This year, I will leave it be, except for the photograph. The Christmas decorating goes on without us. We are chasing the golden […]

Seed Pods

December 5, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

We release our seedspray for their deliverance –mourn the emptiness. (For Cee’s FOTD.)

Shrivelled

December 4, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Wrung out, yet alive –Autumn berries cling to life,and I resonate. (For Cee’s FOTD. Day 2 of travel, and I am feeling the effects.)

RV-Able: 600 Miles From Home

December 1, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

The cold is unrelenting, and sleep does not favour us this first night out, so at 4:00 a.m. we decide to take advantage of Walmart’s 24-hour service and get some groceries. The sight of food stirs hunger and from there we find an all night Denny’s and order an early breakfast. That Ric is overtired is […]

Now That I Matter

The times I waited –restless and ragingdeliberately put on holddismissed, degraded, ignored. Why did I put up with that?Was I so afraid I’d lose it all?So uncertain about a future? How the children came to meneed in their eyes, little armsbegging to be embraced,and I too blinded to reach outfixated on the anger, powerless,immersed myself […]

Flowers and Rain (haiku)

Sun Certainty

Clouds bundleshift and foldcotton strata Trees huddleconfidence incommunity Emotions stackone on anotherco-mingling hues Beneath layersan eternal glowsun certainty. (First published April 2021. Image my own)