J35

sending love from the prairies
across the Rockies
and into the waters off Vancouver Island
how do you embrace a grieving orca?
with all your heart

The Great Escape

Torty went on the lam
a little break from the backyard
hitting the streets downtown
cruising along before being spotted
and picked up near the Royal Alex by animal control
a little water, veg and heat lamp loving
soon to be rerouted home
just another day in the life
of a ten year old tortoise

the winged ones

three junior magpies
scarpering on the lawn
outside the All Saints' Cathedral

news of a ghost magpie
on the far northside

pica power
all across town

heavy skies

thunderstorm watch
thunderstorm warning

winds and sheets of rain

ebbing now
dripping down

grey washing away

Rx for the perils of watering marigolds under a sappy spruce tree

apply olive oil to affected area
work in and let sit
shampoo
lather
rinse
repeat

respite
from sticky business

fleurs

nigella
echinacea
pink fronds
and something Suessy

a week on and soon time to go

lovely while they lasted

strums

fingertips on strings
threading chords
stitching me
undone
heart chambers
lit up
electric