Tag Archives: solitude

Photography, Poetry

The Riders

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We are behind our masks

but recognize humanity next to us

Eyes tell stories, sagas and series in shades

darkness makes reading more difficult

She asks me which number

I’m waiting for so I awaken to focus

We are travellers here and back

drawn to stand together in this littered space

I read the graffiti yesterday

or the day before but tonight I read it again

Which number are you waiting for

the woman asks as if I know

I listen to her story as stories needs telling

maybe it’s worse or better

I listen for hints of breakdown or sorrow

but she is factual despite

Tomorrow she will ride again she says

ride every day for eternity and her grandson

We are the riders of the bus

grateful for mundane recurring schedules

We are the quiet constant vigil keepers

careful not to wish for a break in the pattern

Photography, Poetry, Stories, Writing

Where Now Your Story Line

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Begin with a thought even if it’s a lie or emerged from a morning dream

Think not of anything but the scratch of lead against paper

Are you one of those whose fingers do not know the feel of a pencil

or the echo in an empty room free of all inspired distraction

Go ahead or run behind but hover always in the moment

for it takes just half a breath before it’s already too late

What have you done with all those memories

abandoned behind a bedroom door when you made your last move

Turn down your light or you’ll alarm the wild life

You’ll need them if you ever want to get out of here.

Mindfulness, Photography, Poetry

Pausing for Breath

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Sit on that bench awhile

Look up at that sky

Listen to the birds call

Imagine what they talk about

Early one morning when you’re feeling glad

Grateful just to be still around

Lace up your boots and start walking

Up around the corner

Climb some hill

Take that stick waiting

There among the ferns

Grip it like a sheep herder

Like some old woman or man

Yes, keep on moving

But pause for breath too

There is time enough for everything

If you value the precious in you

Photography, Poetry

Purposeful Purposeless

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Go to the beach. Go to the part where nobody lingers. The heron is watching. Seagulls survey. There’s the smell of saltwater. Seaweed tangled among stones. Fragments of shells. Half crabs. Splinters of sunwashed bone. Hear the song of the waves drifting out drifting in. Redwinged Blackbird calls from undercover of wild roses.

Driftwood messengers

Heartbeat rhythm on the wind

Shifts of time

Photography, Poetry

A Hand for You

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I could have left a note

but it’s windy over there near the bay

You’ll be back before the melting

they remind us every day anyway

I listen to Neve and The Deer Children

sing songs in a language I do not understand

Which path did you choose at the crossroad

I wonder over morning coffee

Where is her other hand you’ll probably ask

when you arrive and find my sign

Why are there no footprints

either coming or going

Photography, Poetry

White Horse

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What are the chances one sweet Sunday

you’re snowshoeing in sun just passing

a girl guide troupe with raised open palms

enchanting Whiskey Jacks to alight

Coastal Range holding their mystic line

Salish Sea shimmers like raindrop diamonds

And you’re hoping these picks hold steady

Save your neck from the icy risk at the rim

You stall as you feel its presence

Silent watcher eyes your stumble through

White stallion in camouflage in plain view