a collection of my original poems and photographs
Dear Time
it is early morning
distant moon pale
star-dots
jewels in the sky
have I told you lately
how tired I am
dear time
running forward
running to catch up
running around
my daily circle
circle of life
meanwhile your steady flow
shadow and light
endless loop passing
one infinity to the next
I wonder
dear time
how your clock never stops
First published online at alexandrawriters.org as the November 2024 winner of the Many Voices Monthly Writing Contest
Ordinary and Magical
Grandma knew exactly
which mushrooms to pick
in the mossy woods
after the rain
as I held
my five year old
hand in hers
we moved
through deep dark
forest
between fairies and
gnomes
wild baby animals
fawn, squirrels
little red fox —
magically guiding us
to the secret chambers
of fungi
spongy soft
colourfully bright
like corals
peaking from the ferns
hiding behind
the ancient stumps
playing
hide and seek
back home
in the steamy kitchen
we cleaned, arranged
sorted
every mushroom
into different categories
for frying, fermenting
and delicious soups
grandma taught me
how to select and
preserve
for our winter meals
wrinkly Morels
sweet orange Chanterelles
slowly sewing
each one of them
with needle and string
into a delicate necklace
that we hang above
our cookstove
to dry
woody-earth harvest
fragrance of love
Spring 2024
Harbour
She plunged into the night
full of blooming
Jasmine
embracing fragrance
white mist carpeting
ground
rain-pearls gleamed
like crushed diamonds
reflecting Venus
amongst rising
stars
foamy waves
whispered secrets
neon lights
shot darts across ships
sail boats
rooftop silhouettes
against lit up
sky
and
a Dipper
all in black and white
on a lonely rock
competed for attention
with its melodic
call
was it a mermaid
from a distant shore
longing for her sailor?
young spring storm
pulsing
alive
in midnight
glow
April 2024
For Dad
September leaves in the wind folding
red begonias still in pots
he held up as long as he was able
walked to the door step by step
hospice walls witnessed his sorrow
restless breaths laboured to free pain
open window to the new day slowly
moved all the shadows away
dad’s hand peacefully slipped
in the way I knew - was goodbye
September 24, 2023
Pansies in the Fog
maybe
it was the lingering light
on his fingers
or the way
he was holding that
flowerpot so awkwardly
muscular chest embraced by
smiling faces of yellow pansies
maybe
it was the quilted blanket
resting on the wicker chair
and her weightless braids
fading ashes of grey
their profiles motionless
shadows slipping away
like sailboats into
ocean fog
cracked weathered paint
lacy-white curtain
pansies left by the door
negligently glowing
I moved from the window frame
untouched coffee in hand
maybe
it was my own fragility
maybe it was something more
I was packing my bags to leave
I will never know
June 2023, Bonavista, NL
Lucky
flame on the horizon
sultry air, busy bees
lonely red
Clover
amongst daisy fields
I rest by my bike
end of the road
warm breeze on my knees
sweet gentle kiss
am I just lucky
to feel you this way
or is this Dream Fairy
who tricks me
again?
warm breeze on my knees
sweet gentle kiss
May 21, 2023
A Walk in the Park
red carnations memorial
someone resting in peace
evergreen, orange chest
robin tirelessly sings
autumn leaves still hold
intricate naked branches
paper-thin shadows move
between silent chanting
workers drum in the distance
loudly hammering nails
new monster house rising
or an old one humbly dies
full of diving birds pond
duck tails jutting
old man baby in arms
slowly moves towards water
wedding party nearby
bride laced in full whiteness
fairytale creatures smile
framed with guests for
immortalized future
earth pregnant with life
shifts, awakens young blood
pink confetti and blooms
spill all innocent fragrance
time spirals, pirouettes
wraps itself around
cycles
fresh carnations
raindrops
wooden
park benches
April 2023​
Backyard in April
like rhyming whispers
dried autumn leaves
still hold to branches
as spring hides and
seeks
​
once long ago season
was bursting with life
house sparrows chirping
fun laughter and games
​
roller blades, skipping rope
sandbox full of toys
popsicles melting
mud pies on rocks
​
now - days are quiet
memories warm
while shadows keep
dancing with April
so young
April 12, 2023​
By the River
can you hear
soft whisper
renewed energy
move
under your feet
Spring 2023​
Across
it seemed like a good idea
at the time
cross the street, to avoid conversation
after all, I was in a hurry
morning rush, winter schedule
​
it seemed like a good idea at the time
to wait, wait for another
convenient moment
​
adjusting her burgundy scarf
she turns at the familiar corner
pausing for the light to change
​
fogged window, frozen smile
still burning in my memory
from the other side
​
if I could only reverse
the grey heaviness of that morning
but that is not how time works
First published online at alexandrawriters.org as the January 2023 winner of the Many Voices Monthly Writing Contest
​
Early Morning Drive
you said once
how you too
wonder
at the creativity
of the sky
​
silver light
burgundy horizon
caught me by surprise
captivating
then disappearing
into a misty cloud
​
passing through
fleeting moment
touch
I recognize
November 2020
River
as the ancient river flows
through this moment
calm, peaceful, green
I cross the bridge
leaving yesterday behind
slipping
into tomorrow
this river was here
before
so was the bridge, but I
I - was not
today
time is holding
my hand
with the unknown
​
April 2020
Published in Stories and Poems - Written from the Heart
White Breath
Apricot trees blossom
with snowy flowers
balance
mountain's icy crowns
whiteness
high between spring's clouds
playfully spread cotton balls
across the sky
​
I see young Magnolia beside me
also blooming
kitten's paws bud softness
hold star flowers
carefully against rough bark
still protective from
winter scars
​
I inhale sweetness
filling my lungs
tender white beauty
joy in my eyes
and wonder
how I just learned about
your stellatas that come
from the land of the rising sun
​
I feel you in me
by Star Magnolia
blooming tree
this early April afternoon
​
British Columbia, April 18, 2004
Journey
velour whispers circle
swirl
earth sighs
royal yellows
​
sky spills autumn blue
embroiders
orange plumes
honey maple
​
crow flies coyote cries
somewhere
​
my heart aches
from this beauty
serpentine-dance
​
leaf
journeys from an ancient
tree
​
October 25, 2005
Indigo Night
Her full cheeks beam
captivate sky
with ribbons and lace
violet purple, bright yellow, soft blue
circle her face with indigo
halo
​
Corona of reflected sunlight
astonishing rings of colors
separate light from
ice crystals, diamond dust
in the mysterious velvet
winter night
​
She is dressed up in a rainbow
elegant attire
for this evening
​
Snow sparkles under my feet
glittery shapes play vibrantly
iridescent peacefulness all around
under her silent presence
​
Who will surrender
to the rainbow of the darkness?
​
Deep inside me
forgiveness
no regrets
healing colors shape
timeless feeling of peace
between earthy shadows and
full moon in the frost
of the night
​
First published in Synthesis, Calgary Scroll of Poets Anthology, 2004
