AFTER FOREVER AFTER

 

WHERE SHALL I WALK TODAY?

 

Along the road most travelled,

past familiar places and friendly faces?

Across the white expanse of frozen lake

admiring homemade rinks and funky fishing huts,

over sled tracks and animal prints

avoiding pressure cracks and open water?

Perhaps a detour into the woods

For solitude and new adventures?

Or shall I stay at home today

and wait for you to walk to me?

New Year's Day - 2021

 

First tracks on the frozen lake

I think we’re heading

In a good direction.

COUNTING BLESSINGS - A Walk in the Woods

 

Snow-sculpted cedars
The forest decorated
like icing on a festive cake.
Walking in a winter wonderland

COUNTING BLESSINGS SERIES - A Birthday Hike

 

YOU’VE GOTTA LIKE A BIRTHDAY HIKE

where maple, oak, pine and more
spread a carpet on the forest floor,
paths through golden arch of trees,
the gentle whispering of a breeze,
fresh fall fragrance in the air,
a woodpecker tapping over there.
That is where we have been
In a perfect Canadian scene.
A glorious gift I’d like to share.
Wishing you could all be there.

 

SEASONS' SCENES; SEEN FROM MY WINDOW - Version 2

 

From my window I have a panoramic view of

changing seasons marked by earth's orbit around the sun.
On balmy days puffy cloud formations sail by with ever-changing shapes.
On bright blue days my world is bathed in warmth and brilliant light.
But when the wind line marches steadily across the lake,
stirring the placid water with choppy waves
I watch storm clouds move with frightening speed.
stirring the usually placid water into choppy waves.
I brace when storm clouds slam raindrops against the windows,
and thunder booms as zigzag streaks lighten the night sky.
I can track the seasons by where the sun sets,
painting the sky with a spectacle of shapes and colours.
 
And now, the trees transform the landscape
with leaves of gold and glorious shades of red.
Birds regroup to start their journey south.
Geese in V-formations will soon depart with honking sounds.
When the lake turns white, iced over, shore to shore,
it is a vast space we can explore with skates and snowshoes.
A time of rest, hibernation and finally rejuvenation.
When the snow melts, spring buds will open
The geese will return, nest and raise their young.
Another year, another season. The cycle starts again.
Changing seasons marked by earth's orbit around the sun.
 

SEASONS' SCENES; SEEN FROM MY WINDOW - Version 1

From my window,

changing elements appear magnified.

Frosty mornings, mist rising from the lake,

gusting wind, bulbous clouds, blazing sun,

pelting rain, lightening streaks,

The icy white of winter days.

Glorious sunsets, brilliant moonlight.

Marking seasons, marking moods.

Marking time.

 

COUNTING BLESSINGS SERIES # 3

 

COUNTING BLESSINGS SERIES - # 2

 

Today we planned to fly to Rome
The start of a month-long adventure;
With dreams of riding twisty roads over misty Tuscan hills
Tramping through historic towns,
Checking out stunning, scenic vistas,
Boarding ferries to Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily,
Winding our way along coastal roads,
Lingering on mountain tops
Hiking the Path of the Gods,
Scoping out ancient ruins,
Taking time to chill at sunny beaches,
Sipping wine from every region made from luscious sun kissed grapes
Savouring succulent fruits and seafood, fresh from the sea.
All these plans and more are put on hold for now.
Instead today, counting our blessings,
We drink wine from Sicily with damn tasty take out pasta,
Toasting future adventures.
Knowing that our dreams will wait and 
what we have now, is pretty awesome too.

COUNTING BLESSING SERIES # 1

 

 

Today I took the kayak
on a mirror clear lake into the marsh
where water lilies bloom
and dragonflies hover,
where blackbirds balance
delicately on tall reeds,
lifting wings to display ruby red underbellies,
the color of my kayak.

Below, submerged logs lurk,
like dinosaur bones beneath the still water
and waving weeds swirl green tendrils towards the light.

The calm embraces me, immerses ne
in an oasis of peace.

For Ruth Mary Engel

 Special poem for a special lady on a special (90^th) birthday.

Ruth Mary
I see you on your deck in calm contemplation,
the river, flowing calmly, wide as a lake,
a cliff-drop below you.

Close your eyes. 
Feel the breeze.
Hear the call of the loon.

Let Engeland embrace you.

Without turning your head you sense all of its parts.
Unerringly you trace the path to the Green Cottage 
on its perch overlooking Snake Rock and the new bunkie.

Smell the fragrance of pine.Touch the texture of rock

You know every contour of the steps
passed the laundry, to the beach.
Your toes touch the rock
where you start your daily swim
the water smooth as silk,
refreshing you, body and soul.
Close by is the Hex, whose every corner
you know so well.
There's the trailer and a small climb to the Mouse House.

You smell the crackling fire in a firepit, 
or perhaps one of Dwight's special, roaring brush fires.
You know every rock that gives the landscape its personality.

You hear,
family chatter
the sound of laughter
the splash of swimmers
the chug of an ancient motor;
the delicious sound of silence.

You remember
moments shared,
moments of solitude
moments to cherish.

Engeland, your spiritual home 
embraces you, and you are blessed.