Cut Flower

The roses are
holding their breath
Trembling petals brush
the velvet cheek
Blushing pride
shock and wonder

I am wanted
like a favorite shirt
comforting book
glistening cold drink

I relax into you
like a cosy chair
at the cabin
warm in front of the rusty
smell of cedar on the fire

and the rose exhales
opens its arms



Photo credit: Joyce Rempel

New Journey

strip away the accessories of life
dog. gone.
sports car. sold.
safety net. released.
drama. dismissed.

stand, naked and alone
breathe deep
choose with care
what to take forward
into an unknown future

this is who you are

courage, come with me.
we shall pipe and drum
chains are loosed by our laughter
prisoners fly free in our arms



Photo credit: Joyce Rempel

Dogged

I rarely used to wonder
where you are
what you're doing

The thought follows now
like a faithful dog
quiet, steady, hungry
curls up with me at night
only to wake me at 3 a.m.
scratching at the door
wanting to run amok.



Picture: accessed online

Take These Broken Wings

In the safe comfort of a cosy place, I wake almost content.
The new friend who snores gently in the other bed is good company.
She is laid back, undemanding and in tune with the spirit.

The poet in me wants to move to Rosebud.
To write art, capture touch, love unwounded
but I am not yet ready to know myself that well.

For today, wings still bandaged
I return to the city
until I am called out of hiding.