22 September 2022
In the morning
mist twirls
A lacy nightgown
Between the proud tops of
An evergreen canopy
Greeting the west coast
With an emerald smile
The purple majesty of morning
A dichotomy of sunrise
Black to the West,
To the East
An awakening Golden Crown
Enshrined in mountain forest breath
The haze makes the whole thing
A pastel smudge
A Group of Seven landscape
The current like an electric Bolt
Zig-Zag crack placid ocean glass
Crows caw from power lines slack
Every new dawn
Brings with it
A palette
With its own unique personality;
Today’s vibrant ochre and lilac
Washes into the lingering ultramarine
Of another expired night
Hinting a pleasant day to come
I watch a silhouetted kayak
In the glass inlet
As swimming ducks
Cut across in the opposite direction
All over fish are popping out of the water
Teasing as I sip my steaming coffee
Here the sand whispers
And spits
Life tucked away inside shells
Waiting for a bath
As monsters loom overhead
My footprints
— the proof I was here
Conversing and negotiating
My peace —
Linger just long enough
Coaxing the tide
To explain to her my brief visit
I hope she doesn’t rue my arrival
… if I was one to pray
I’d pray her mettle reinforced
I’ll be gone soon
Then I can give you all of me
Thank you
Did you enjoy that?
Check out another piece written by a local creative.
-
September 22, 2022
Ḵ’ing.G̱ads Kunsda – the beginning of Spring
This spring, equinox arrives on a moonless night. Across the bay’s blackened surface kun humpbacks exhale loudly and ḵay sealions grunt close to shore. The darkness frustrates their pursuits, as ‘iinang herring congregate in great schools at t’aanuu eelgrass meadows and hlkyaama ad ngaal bull and giant kelp forests of the bay. As the predators chase … Continued
-
September 22, 2022
Storm
I open the door and the wind pulls me outside. The storm has arrived. I look across the inlet as the salty wind braids my hair into knots. The waves have started to emerge. Trees huddle in the forest. My heart goes out to the lonely green sailboat, anchored nearby. I hear the excited banter … Continued
-
September 22, 2022
Hlth kingaa (Sandy Gagnon)
Meet Sandy Gagnon. A mother, a sister, an auntie and a náa.n (grandmother), Gagnon is from the Tsiij Gitanaay clan and carries the name Hlth kingaa, meaning “shiny musical instrument.” A jackie-of-many-trades, her longest running community service lies in her hair salon. For almost three decades Gagnon has been shaving, shorning and styling do’s of … Continued