She is gone
traditions will be different in her absence
I am a poor substitute.
May our Christmas cookies
and your memories
be sweet.
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poem-glimpses March 5, 2019
A little glimpse
a corner of the eye catch
Double take.
Vanished.
It’s enough to know
You’re still here.
poem- tricks November 18, 2018
This time
I’m walking forward and you are beside me,
four paws padding along,
wet nose nudging my palm now and again,
assuring me you’re there.
This time
I waken to the whining cries
of someone small who is not you,
blessed and depressed.
Time tricks,
I see your silhouette,
hear a gentle woof on the wind,
look around knowing it’s not,
wishing it was.
Now, time
reminds me that life is a tapesty.
Joys are woven in the warp;
we weave grief in the weft,
dark streaks that might be tears,
alongside the lemon-bright thread of laughter.
This time,
I’m grateful to wrap myself tight
in the memories of you. Grateful
as I go about another day.
poem-ghost stop August 9, 2018
In my old neighbourhood
I stop at a light-controlled intersection
that didn’t used to be,
On the corner
I see a glimmer of a younger me
in my safety patrol vest,
the stop sign at my back,
waiting for the whistle to spring to action
decades ago.
poem-sweater March 13, 2017
I found your cardigan
and held it close
searching for the sensation of your arms.
I gathered up the folds
and held it to my nose
searching for the scent of you.
You’ve been gone too long.
Instead of holding memories
Now
it’s just a sweater
you once wore.
poem-ostrich day March 4, 2016
I am overwhelmed
by my responsibilities
and the weight of my grief
that creeps up unexpectedly
to undermine my clarity
to bury me with memories
and underscore my sense of loss.
I’ll hide myself from Helios: find
some sand to stick my head beneath.
poem-preservation January 2, 2016
Distance offered safety
Communication was a precious gift
words in letters to save, tied up in ribbon,
opened and savoured.
Today how do they preserve memories?
poem- Outlander summer April 22, 2015
Once upon a time
Just a few of us at this party
Laughing across time zones.
Now, sometimes it feels
like drunks have crashed it.
I miss then
.
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So many fond memories of Outlander life on Twitter in summer of 2013. Â Feeling nostalgic this week after discovering all those old tweets doing my Sam Heughan post the other day.Â
poem- returning September 22, 2014
I tried to
return your letters
once,
but they are
still here,
and the hurt
in your voice
still echoes,
when IÂ unfold
pages.
poem- then December 16, 2013
A note to us
back then:
These days are precious;
you will savour your
memories of camaraderie
at the end of the road,
from the distance of
two decades.
Warm wood fires,
and warmer friendships,
Mothers and small children
budding careers,
and many dreams
were nurtured there
at the end of the road.
World travels,
Publication,
Independence
All dreams you barely
dare to dream
come true
in time.
Still, that time
at the end of the road
with faith and friendship,
warm hearts,
is where our daring
began.
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For Claudia (and Heather and Francine and the rest of the Woods Road gang, actual and honourary) as I remember cookie exchanges, coffee, tea, cooking lessons, painting, laughter, prayer, and bats. 🙂
Shawn L. Bird 