when they’re together
it’s a game of who’s better
who’s got money to spend
showing off for their friends
who aren’t really their friends
cultivate an image
throw money around
at least if it’s for charity
their better, better, better
so someone benefits
from the image polishing.
poem-amazed November 24, 2024
Poem- to the universe September 19, 2024
(For Murg)
From this dark place,
sending you space
for love and gratitude,
supportive attitudes,
help where it’s needed,
concerns that are heeded.
Sending love and grace
to that dark place
poem-summer poem June 25, 2024
Here is a summer poem,
Lit by late light
a crackling bonfire poem
paddling in water sparkling with
laughter.
poem-insomnia March 30, 2024
Black night
sleep tight
creeping creature
thoughts feature
rampant racing
adrenaline pumping
thumping heart.
Black night
count sheep
crush the creeping thinking
shrink the thinking
block thinking
stop thinking
Black night
sleep tight
Yeah.
Right.
Poem: Naah Na-na-na Na-na Na-na Bats, man! March 26, 2024
We could just call them nocturnal birds
The same bouncing soaring as swallows:
Dips,
Dives,
Digesting insects to equal their body weight.
Sleep away the day, just hanging out
Waiting for their night flight,
hand-sized chihuahuas in hang-gliders
amazing mosquito munching moves
Utility belts unnecessary to such cute, useful beasts.
Moon dancers wending wings
rising through summer skies.
A Hope Poem March 21, 2024
This poem is wishful
. .wistful
Whistle fears into the dark
Spark hope
Scope out the dreams
that mean the most
Mark out those goals
Be wishful, even when wistful
and whistle whatever
brings joy into being
Sing hope
Be peace
Achieve what we need
Believe wholly
in hope.
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.
.
I was leafing through my draft poetry notebook and found this one written in the fall. It seems a very appropriate poem for the first day of spring!
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poem-Dear Rachael March 15, 2024
Dear Rachael,
After years of joy with Jamila Mai
It’s very hard to say goodbye.
Rachael!
making us all grow daring
baring our bellies! Our thighs shaking
like jellies, as we shimmied
our way to a happier day
making laughter priority—
What a joyful sorority!
Flyng veils like full sails,
Sounding zagreets as we’d come
Every week. We dressed up
and had fun. Everyone welcome,
whether younger or older, the shy
and the bolder; we twisted our hips
to long-lasting friendships.
Folks overcame fears because
Rachael was here.
When we are apart, we’ll still zill in our hearts:
“I want chicken legs not chicken wings, buddy.”
‘Til we see you again.
.
.
This poem was performed and presented at Rachael’s last Jamila Mai hafla March 13, 2024. Nearly 20 years of dancing for joy in the Shuswap and she is moving to the Island. It was so sad, but wonderful to see so many dancers from various times through the years could all gather to dance together for another time!
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poem-cheesey love story February 17, 2024
That was way too much
. cheesecake, Valentine.
This queasy belly surges
. with regret.
We may love chocolate, but
. a little is better than
. a lot.
Your love is sweet enough,
. perhaps.
poem- Forest Walk February 9, 2024
Whispers through the pines make
promises of tomorrow
Rings inside fallen trees reveal
long history
This place, firmly locked in now, hints
of a future.
Inhale it all.
.
We are forest.
What is yet to come reaches
to the light,
Every year closer to the sky.
.
We also reach
time takes our bodies
earth bound,
embraced by roots,
part of the trees,
stretching for heavens,
becoming sweet air
on the breeze.
poem-new pen February 8, 2024
In my hand
. a tiny precision instrument
. words form on the page
I am part of history
. pen wielder
. word maker
. story spinner
Here in my hand the power
. to change the world
. through words.
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.
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Just added a Kaweco Liliput fountain pen to my collection. Tiny precision writing instrument in weighty stainless steel. It feels powerful despite its small size. What magic might it perform with me?
Shawn L. Bird 