Abbotsford, British Columbia

Photograph (Darkroom 1990)

I am a farmer
harvesting yesterday’s crops
or rather a pitchman
bringing coals to Newcastle
I try to count the years
as time in the photos pass-
A lovely woman whose
children by now
see themselves
in their own children’s eyes
Smell of remembrance
stains the hands
moves to the heart
These people were not old
they were not whores, or horses Book Preview
or heroes
They are my [...]

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Abbotsford, British Columbia

Book of Children
Janet Vickers
Barely out of childhood ourselves
we have them.

Our lungs and flesh separate in appearance
but not in any day or night from now on.
Everything they do and say, published
on our skin. Every sacrifice we make
bruised in their future.

Love too urgent for reflection. The [...]

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Bowen Island, British Columbia

HABITAT
We plan, like architects
to bring the outdoors in,
parrot like realtors
the charms of a tree house,
for up on this hill,
birdsong is tangible.
We always get
what we want, camouflaged
-

within our mossy cabin, high
above the threshold
of discovery. Open sky.
360 degree views.
Proximity to water.
Reliable food sources. Plenty
of nesting material. Gravel flies
from under the foot of a rabbit

fleeing a resident eagle.
Ravens [...]

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Kelowna, British Columbia

Anaconda
Twelve feet of serpentine muscle slither
across South American wetlands,
lying in wait for fish and baby caimans,
coiled, ready to pounce and mercilessly
constrict unsuspecting victims
under the blistering tropical sun.
-

The intense heat dries out its habitat
and even the anaconda must seek relief;
it is forced to slink through murky waters
which eventually evaporate
leaving only cracked clay cobblestones.
-

Body encrusted with [...]

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