Nearing the end of June

Beholding at the Sunrise from the Top of Haleakalā

Set your alarm for 3am to catch the bus; hang on as
the road up is narrow and bumpy.

Wear a warm coat and mitts; it’s cold at 3000 meters.
(Don’t be that fool in shorts.)

Listen as the elder shouts at the sky in Hawaiian,
welcoming the new day and wishing us all good fortune.

Remember to bring a charger for your phone
as you’ll be capturing hundreds of photos.

Shadows creep slowly over the ocean and climb
Haleakalā as the crowd, speechless, sighs.

From the golden orb breaking the horizon until
the long shadow of the volcano grows over the valley,

we welcome this day as if witnessed for the first time and
it just gets better and warmer and more perfect.


© June 2020

Four Ways of Looking at the Totem Pole at the Royal BC Museum

The Thunderbird, it is said, takes human form by opening
his head up like a mask and taking his feathers off as if a blanket.

Self-contained and strong-willed in nature, the grizzly bear
holds copper to show off his wealth. He gets by with few friends.

The beaver teaches us to be persistent and to use what’s around us,
to value each team member and work towards harmony.

Dzunukwa, with red pursed lips, wants to steal the children to eat
so keep them safe and far away. When she appears, the show is over.


© June 2020

Another selection of thoughts

Long Beach, Vancouver Island

On the ancestoral lands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations

After the long drive across the island
through Cathedral Grove, turn north
at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve sign,
and drive about 15 kilometers on a passable road,
past groups of tsunami placards along Highway 4
to arrive at the open sandy Long Beach.
As the sun slides over the Clayoquot Plateau,
an almost empty broad shore invites outsiders
to behold perfection along with surfers heading out
to be swept back in by the heavy autumn waves
of the mighty Pacific. In another month,
every swell will be filled by daredevils
from all over, though maybe this year
there won’t be as many or they’ll try to
keep apart, or just sit on the beached driftwood
that have rested on the beach for decades, to become
hypothesized with those returning waves,
inching closer and closer to Purple Shore crabs
running the beach trail for food or
protection by Incinerator Rock’s crevices.
As sunset colours the clouds red indigo blue
to the west, the howl of the sea wolves
tells you it is time to go inside.
his-shuk-nish-tas-waak*


© June 2020

*everything is one

Glenn Gould Sitting on a Bench

Eighty
eight keys,
no hint at a bench in Hogtown
only a recluse with a wool
beret

© June 2020

Your Death Hit Me Hard

though somewhat delayed. Four years later, my insomnia started.
My doctor prescribed sleeping pills, but I stopped after six months,
because I got addicted and afraid. Finally, I went to psychiatrist,
who got me to breathe and relax and I learned that I cannot change
everything. Now I do yoga every day and walk and geocache (it’s a long story).
I wish you were here so I could tell you that I forgive you for not telling me and
I’ll love you always. Your no-longer-obedient but ever-braver daughter.

© June 2020

Words that need to be said

Forty-Five 

It’s change that scares you
so you lass out
and call the National Guard

It’s a world your parents
wouldn’t know
that makes you shake

and yell, and stomp
your feet like a 2-year old
who’s been told you can’t.

It’s a fear of failing,
looking stupid, having
people laugh at you

that drives you to erupt
and bully those who
only want to breathe.


© June 2020

A remembrance of Vancouver Island

Long Beach, Vancouver Island

On the ancestoral lands of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations

After the long drive across the island
through Cathedral Grove, turn north
at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve sign,
and drive about 15 kilometers on a passable road,
past groups of tsunami placards along Highway 4
to arrive at the open sandy Long Beach.
As the sun slides over the Clayoquot Plateau,
an almost empty broad shore invites outsiders
to behold perfection along with surfers heading out
to be swept back in by the heavy autumn waves
of the mighty Pacific. In another month,
every swell will be filled by daredevils
from all over, though maybe this year
there won’t be as many or they’ll try to
keep apart, or just sit on the beached driftwood
that have rested on the beach for decades, to become
hypothesized with those returning waves,
inching closer and closer to Purple Shore crabs
running the beach trail for food or
protection by Incinerator Rock’s crevices.
As sunset colours the clouds red indigo blue
to the west, the howl of the sea wolves
tells you it is time to go inside.
his-shuk-nish-tas-waak


© June 2020