Catch a waterfall in a paper cup

Hover at the torn edge

of mountain silhouette

Light arrows shoot east

explode through trees

Fire fingers stretch the horizon

stroke luminous colour 

on soft underbelly of cloud

Shadows smoulder above

Picture window frames one frame

more than the heart can hold

Photo: "From the Family Room," personal collection

Darkness to Light

Only when you emerge into the light can you begin 

to understand the darkness thru which you passed. 

Hold on, follow close 

to the One who is the Light.

Photo credit: personal collection

Autumn Is

Autumn is heaven's gilded frame on faded summer; 
a vault door opening to winter treasure; 
compensation for all that is not, was not, cannot be.



Photo: Bluerock Wildlands 2010, personal collection

Grace

.

May grace line our days

and joy be a nest.

.

In love with Autumn

On this day in 2009:
Autumn blows fierce against
summer’s lingering warmth.
Aspen and willow wave wild,
surrender bare branch bouquets
of lively leaves
to the first dance of fall.

On this day in 2011:
Kick through dry-crisp leaves
sprinkled over still-green grass,
squint into low-rider sun
uncovering fresh-snow mountains.
Hello, deep-breath happy-place.

Today:
peaceful golden glow
of summer's sunset
calm quiet
warm and languid
fade into fall

Life is Not a Highway

Some might say life is a highway
but I much prefer life lived on neighborhood streets,
holding hands in hospitals, meandering back roads
or mountaintop paths with friends.
A life of honest conversation, laughter and song,
whimsy and character and possibility,
the heritage of farmhouse, harvest, horses, hard work,
corn on the cob, newly dug potatoes, hand cranked ice cream,
perseverance, weather worn, quiet afternoons by the pond,
little girl giggles, tea parties, games of tag, fireflies,
pastels, cinnamon buns, white eyelet curtains ruffling the breeze.



Photo credit: Joyce Rempel, Cranking Ice Cream at Heritage Park

Morning Exercise

Reach up into the cupboard
lift down the bowl and plate
place softly on the granite
so neither one will break

Pull the first drawer forward
pick up the knife and spoon
circle round the island
like a crescent moon

Bend into the pantry
through the yawning door
granola and some raisins
into the bowl to throw

Grip the fridge door handle
pull out the coconut milk
add raspberries for color
stir circles smooth as silk

Return to fridge, take out the bread
sans gluten, unrefined
slide the butter closer
sweet spun honey find

Push down the toast, rotate halfway
to even out the burn
While you wait, pivot and take
your coffee cup to urn

When all is said and done
you've stretched and put away
sit down to eat this silly poem
and send it on its way.



Picture: Personal collection

Dark Night

I wake in a roar
sustained drumming
a million worries
on tin pans

summer rainstorm
sans wind and wave
only deluge
deep calls to deep

in an hour long concert
then finish with
a lightning chaser
thunderous applause

God alone gathers
my tears in a bottle
uncorked tonight
to wash the earth

and now the blackbird sings



Picture: Fish Creek Park, Calgary AB, personal collection

Good Things

Evening bike ride
in the twilight by the river
Blackbird singing
from the edge of the wood
Moon smiles back
and we thank the Giver
For every perfect gift
and all that is good.



Picture: Fish Creek Park, Bow River, Calgary, personal collection

Moving On

Tuesday straightens up,
dusts herself off,
kicks the trash to the curb,
puts on blinders
and gets to work.

Blue Plate Special

Fillet clouds
rippled fish scales
rest on a plate of blue

I drink the mulled wine
of sweet summer sun
savour this menu
of small gifts



Picture: Personal collection

One Load at a Time

Laundry swishing and tumbling
like my thoughts
wondering
if I'll be dried up and wrinkled
or gently folded by caring hands
for good use on a future day



Picture: sourced online

Wordslinger

Like a Martian moonscape 
Pike’s Peak holds me
light headed and giddy
as we stare down
the Colorado front range
I blink first and must sit
dizzy, breath taken 
by unveiled beauty



Photo: personal collection

Easy vs. Hard

the easiest thing
and the laziest
is to watch
read
listen
and judge

the hardest is
to do better




Picture: depositphotos.com #39196783, standard license

Making It

it seems some days 
with all the foundations 
crumbling away 

the only thing left
is to take Creator's hand
and make art

which
at its most 
beautiful is love

and love 
at its apex
is redemption



Painting: "Trinity" - still life, acrylic on board, by moi

Morning Glory

light and shadow
floating mountains
morning glory
on golden fall



Picture: Kananaskis Range, personal collection