Sleeping in
enjoying dream embraces
of a book boyfriend when
the doorbell rings
with delivery of the next instalment
in the relationship.
poem- nestled June 15, 2014
I crawl between clean sheets,
inhaling crisp scent.
You snore softly on your side,
then reach out and pull me
against you, our ankles entangling,
fingers weaving together
your snores still filling the
dark, dancing with me
in your dreams.
poem- universal messages June 1, 2014
Strangers in the mall. Abridged.
“Excuse me?
Can I just say, you look beautiful?
You’re so vibrant and joyful!”
“Why, thank you.
I was just told at a writing conference
that I am colorful and songful.”
“Oh yes! What a perfect description! You are!
What writing conference was this?
I’ve always wanted to write!
The universe has brought you to me
to give me this message!”
“I hope you’ll join us next year,
please say hello. I’ll still look like
this, but hopefully there’ll be less of me.”
“Oh! There’s less of ME! I just lost 40 lbs,
just walking and cutting out chips.”
“Well done!
Clearly the universe brought you to me today.”
poem- satisfaction May 17, 2014
Waiting
Dating each moment
Painting future memories
Rating satisfaction
Creating
.
.
.
I counted down for 572 days. Here we are! Incredible how quickly hours fly by when they’ve been anticipated for 572 days! But each hour so anticipated is to be savoured and enjoyed for 572 days to come, and then beyond.
poem- planning May 6, 2014
Ponder the options
think for awhile
jot down the image
consider and smile.
Take steps, even small ones,
stay out of the holes,
and before you know it
you’ll reach your goal.
poem- 11710 April 23, 2014
I dreamt of you
for eleven thousand
seven hundred
and ten nights.
You spoke in
waking dreams.
You whispered
in the blackness,
called across the miles:
Hold on.
I’m here for you.
Stay.
You have commitments.
But after
eleven thousand
seven hundred
and ten nights
you called
to tell me
those words did not
apply to you.
Hold on.
I’m here for you.
Stay.
You have commitments!
I said to you,
but it was too late by then.
I dreamt of you
for eleven thousand
seven hundred
and ten nights,
until I learnt that
you weren’t really there
at all.
poem- beginning April 12, 2014
When we’re beginning
we celebrate the possibility
embrace the new
dream of what’s ahead.
Now we’re beginning
new challenges enfold
new priorities take precedence
new adventures await.
We’re beginning a new journey
into the unknown
with new travelling companions
and a goal on the horizon.
We’re beginning
alone and together
good shoes for the soles,
ready for whatever comes,
one step at a time,
onward.
poem- spring? March 15, 2014
Last night
I fell asleep planning
an ensemble:
beige, flowing garments
open shoes
bare skin, no socks.
Spring is here!
Celebrate!
I awoke
to see snowflakes filling the sky
giant two inch diameter
behemoth flakes
mocking my dreams of spring.
Wardrobe re-think.
Boots today.
Again.
Still.
.
poem- asking January 27, 2014
She was young,
but she had a dream
to cut herself free
from the stigma of family
substance abuse,
poverty, and
hopelessness,
if only someone would give her scissors
and show her how to use them.
A teacher said,
“You can do it!”
So she applied for a training course,
wondering how she’d pay for the tool kit
or pay for the rent to live in another town.
“We’ll write letters!” said the teacher.
“It’ll work out!”
Community groups responded to her letters
and her impressive resume of volunteer activities
with cheques in hand.
“You’ve helped this community.
We want to help you achieve this dream.”
The billet said, “Would you work off
your room and board in chores?”
And suddenly the impossible
was happening.
Shining new scissors sliced her past away
and cut open hope
for her future.
.
.
.
True story. Apprenticeship programs offer kids real skills and credits for professional training and high school credit. Some times there are barriers for kids to take advantage of the opportunity, but where there is a will, there is a way. The school is there to help kids achieve their dreams, after all. Thanks to the service clubs who make a difference, quietly meeting needs in their communities: Lions, Rotary, Royal Canadian Legion, Elks, Kinsmen, Oddfellows, and the like. Today is a particularly good day in my world.
poem- swirl January 16, 2014
Reality spins
into imagination
awakening dreams
long forgotten.
Reality whirls
through intimations
of what seems
downtrodden
Reality curls
into foundations
revealing themes
all new again.
Shawn L. Bird 