Combing

we choose memories
like shells on beach
only the best
--------whole
--------delicately coloured
--------clearly patterned
and wash them in
icy salt water of the sea
feet hurting from
cold when waves wash in

roar of water in our ears
hazy sun mixes wind
ocean stretching forever
surfers dancing waves

then walk back
--------our hands full

Whale Music

spray of white mist
vertical dissipating
grey back rolls forward
fin emerges

watching from sea wall
camera in hand
small boat nearby catches action

what is it about whales that commands
size
speed
intelligence
song
lungs
might

and we stand on the concrete edge
and try to take a picture

Eight Degrees

sometimes wet highway
descends into lush valley
I just coast and steer

Kicking Horse

I was an explorer today
finding my way through
rough
------rocky
------------ranges
following the river
through pass
I think I’ll call it “kicking horse”

on highway
with other explorers

but looking up
seeing the same snowy postcard peaks
the same stony crags
feeling the same shivery wonder

I found a pass to my heart

Flying

we fly through crowds of angels
wings pitted with pellets
as they flap furiously
forming a wake of whiteness
under the impression that good lasts forever
-------pudgy arms and legs never get older
-------pure laughter is always heard
-------hands always clap spontaneously
-------bright objects are always crawled towards
-------legs are forever jumping
but soon the crowds disappear
we are back on the ground
trudging through wet streets
thinking back on white-winged wonder

Prairie Boy

astounding flatness invades brain
dripping caves of thought
pondering cookie sheet geography

all is split open
exposed
raw
revealed to glaring sun

then merged
with distant thin line
linking earth and sky
at far end of prairie
mind

On Looking into the Future

fall moon
perfect roundness
bright in the night
sky
shining through curtain of cloud
speeding like a jet
sometimes peeking out to reveal
details on surface
then
slipping back behind cover
returning to the astonishment of
full moon
on a windy cloudy night

Goodbye

sometimes the wind changes direction

yesterday’s hot gusts
moist southern air
filled with stormy portents

today chilled constant flag stiffening slaps
from north
bend trees in opposite direction
------leaves twigs fall to grass hinting the farewell of summer
--------------as it travels away

we are left with fallen leaves and autumn’s sadness
looking forward to
reunion