In the quiet moments
When thoughts freely roam
Past cherished memories
To future unknown

How I adore the ESB
I'd waited so long
to gaze upon thee
In stealth she stoops
to branch so low
to peer and weigh
my motives to see.
Just what a little rarity
her sweet waistcoat
her golden sleeves.
She makes a fine point
elegant beak
sharpening along her seat.
I stalked upon her hiding tree
Felt remorse for privacy
Dare admire another?
Turn my cheek?
She'd surely
Grow weary and flee
Dearest one
come back to me

Sushi with blueberries
By the beach
Smashed avo on sourdough
With cashews and tea
Cornflakes with cream
Stories and dreams

The love that I gave
May be set free once again
To come back to me

"Skywoman buried her beloved daughter in the earth.
Her final gifts, our most revered plants, grew from her body.
The strawberry arose from her heart...
The first to bear fruit"

From Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Acceptance is knowing 
There is only one person
in the world for me
A very particular one
Unfortunately
Would not choose me.

To my 21 year old
Real estate agent
Who said 'get out'
I forgive

To my 56 year old
Teacher of teens
Who said 'think of the kids'
I forgive 

To my 65 year old
Neighbour and friend 
Who said 'so what?'
I forgive 

To my 52 year old
Love of my heart
Who said 'call a helpline'
I forgive

To my 75 year old
Source of my life
Who said 'shut up'
I forgive

To grow the wisdom 
Of all your years
Combined
For I give
How not to live
To my children
As a gift

With the years
Of our elders
I have cared for
In the thousands
With tuned ears
Wiped tears
I have armour
For the battle

Gifts of wisdom
Planted into
Ears of listeners 
Guard against 
Careless whispers

A drop of kindness
Gives more life than a whole dam
Well meaning advice

Gazing out your window 
To where canvas of stars
Meets the horizon 
Lured into your web
Of dreams and fairytales
I awake, frozen in time
Left in my own cave
Nothing but dreamscapes
To claim for my own
As if shutters were closed
On the biting frost
When all it was 
Our waking dawn

One can afford
Another human
On this earth
Is to hear
Someone 
In grief
To listen
To speak
To love
To be present
A gift