51st birthday dream

I was climbing the hills around Minnedosa

edge of Lake Agassiz

glacial waters of massive inland ocean

lapping these shores 

I hang on to tree branches stepping up

rocks and sand under feet 

I’m not sure why I’m here

sore knee hindering speed

but it feels good

rough touch of tree bark on palm 

rising upward

eyes glaring dusty setting sun

I don’t reach the top in my dream

wake up in blanketed bed in Red River valley 

back at the bottom of the lake

flat prairie pilgrim

psalm V

painting has begun

green summer fading into

yellowbrownred

every leaf

every branch

every tree 

I pass by on road

and see the big picture

your great hand

sweeping

with large strokes

every day a new shade

feathering canvas 

I walk on leaf littered grass

and see your careful tiny brush

making miniature magic on

Manitoba maple leaf

the slow burning colours of

death glowing 

my eyes listen every day

to this September symphony

knowing all too well

blackening bareness

of October

autumnal thoughts

summer flute plays frantic minor melody

air stream cut in half over hole

in silver mouthpiece

vibrations causing sound waves to ripple out

in a tumble of notes

like September days

creating crescendo of coolness

browning the green

and inviting the frantic rhythm

of death into year  

face of love

her lovely shining face

reflected off car window

in light of full moon

round white cut out in black sky 

I think of 336 moons of marriage

of waxing and waning

of cloudy skies and clear starry nights

of frigid Januarys and warm evenings in July

of moonlit walks and stormy nights in a tent

of a friendship glowing and reflecting

in the round full light of love

Jonathan smells the flowers

purple petunias overflow

weathered

wooden

chair

with fresh beauty 

toddler leans over

white hair glowing sunlight

small arm bent

careful not to disturb 

smells fragrant flower

sky blue eyes

staring into future

fragrant world

and him in it

Wynton

hot wind gusting street when you meet him

a sun drenched day

at the end of August

but he’s wearing blue long sleeves and pants 

you shake his hand formally

ask him where he wants to go 

he signals coffee in a downtown café

so you walk the bustle and heat

                he’s swinging his arms

                in a cool saunter

until you enter relief of air

chrome and leather cafe 

he wants to talk New York

how it all works in a kind of rhythm

of taxis and sky scrapers and lights and restaurants and parks and people walking

and how everybody can find a place there

and how it’s important to think cool

even on a hot city summer day 

and you nod your head in a steady rhythm

of content agreement

sisters

in water waist deep

shoulder length blonde hair wisping in breeze

cold lake water ripples around them

their arms create a vee

as they hold hands laughing  

lake

islands

hills

forest

stretch out around them

as they stand together

commanding attention