Chrysalis Caged

the chrysalis
caged
cocooned
inside a bony mesh

hide, stay alive, hide

the chrysalis
stirs
pulses
current flows
a tattoo beats

remain where you are
stay quiet
remain where you are

the chrysalis
is two-sided
still incomplete
only one half
of dualistic bliss

lightening strikes
only once

breathe caught
the chrysalis dies
is born anew

flutter, sprout wings, flutter

the butterfly
has learned to fly
to soar and now to love
so never will it be free

*Once you love someone, there is always part of you tethered.

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Chrysalis Entombed

there is no weeping
at a caterpillars wake
chrysalis entombed

a caterpillars casket
naught but a butterfly's womb

(I apologize for the rhyme)

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On the Road

We took a road trip this past July. Our journey began in Northern Alberta where we first headed south ... of course ... and east. The region is still mostly new to me, and so there was lots of new to discover.

We stopped at one of the beaches of Lesser Slave Lake after visiting its small, but very charming town. Having lived in Vancouver for so long, I thought I had been spoiled with beaches and would never be able to find anything to compare, east of the Rockies. Boy was I wrong.

Lesser Slave Lake is a sizeable bit of inland water. Standing from the shore, you might think you were indeed looking out at the ocean. Felt a little like I had come home. But the niecest thing about being lakeside was its .. well, I will say it ... it's silky sand. I don't think I have ever felt sand that fine. With the sand, the gentle surf, the driftwood, and the speckled sky above, I did feel I had been transported into a dream.

If you are ever up Northern Alberta way ... in the summer .. be sure to make Slave Lake part of your trip:)

Watch Me Explode

double-bombed peony
most exuberant of buds
nature demanded …
go forth and flower

flamboyant but wise
a clever bon vivant
knows a good mood
does away with the need
for thorns

a whisper to the earth
a diva’s request …
hold my stem
now, watch me explode

unfurling corolla
one petal only folds
where the next expands

not above a flirtatious taunt

go ahead, you challenge
I dare you to count

5 … 4 … 3 … 2 …

Drowning Sun

a drowning sun
laments its own demise
weeps tears of fire

sparks, cinders, streaks of flames
ignite a still blue bay

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