The Cycle
     This is my first attempt at an electronic concrete poem. Please start reading at the bottom.


                                                             
                                          THEN

                                Fewer tests    We  

                            More creation   begin                                                    

                          Best Practice             and                                            

                       Outcomes                        learn            

                    Research                                  the                                          

                 Linking                                         tune                                              

              Fusing                                                   for

           Great Ideas                                               how                                      

         Thinking                                                            to                                   

       Planning                                                         remain                                

   Summer mode                                            Sane 'til June

 (Start Here)                                                        (End Here)

Sally

Aphrodite's Cafe

A  few years ago we drove by an organic pie shop that looked magical.

Poised on the corner of Dunbar and 4th, it calls to passers by.

Happy staff in a venue anointed with original art.

Realizing the potential, my daughter decided to make it a part of her birthday ritual.

On the celebratory day, we venture to frolic at the beach.

Dinner consists of sandwiches and all of the lovely fixings.

Instead of birthday cake, we head over to Aphrodite's for pie.

Try their apple, cherry, peach, raspberry-rhubarb or pumpkin...

Every option is delicious beyond belief.
'
Succulent, juicy, mouthwatering organic pie.  

Sally

It Feels Like Fall

Everyone is home
Safe and sound, telling stories
Recounting their fun

Sally

So Is It OK To Say Pussy Now?

I was about 10
when I got my
first cat.
She sat in the
back seat with me,
and licked my hands
all the way home.
When I decided to call her
Lickinpuss,
my ESL parents
smiled and nodded,
but my older brother
laughed his head off.
He insisted that
it wouldn't be right.
It was years until I understood
why he thought it was so funny.

When we adopted
Izzy,
one of my children
got into the habit
of calling her
Little Pussy.
I clarified right away.
I explained the
sexual innuendo,
and although horrified,
the child understood the
faux pas
of it's use.

In recent weeks,
I have tried
to speak out
against the
injustice imposed
on the punk band,
Pussy Riot.
In light of previous
conversations,
one of my children
came to me
asking why it was
OK
to keep saying
Pussy Riot,
on the news,
in the papers?
I had the
gift
of explaining
the power
in a name.

Our names
represent us,
identify us.
They tell the
story of our
past,
the context of our
present,
and our impact
on the
future.
Some names are
unusual and
difficult to pronounce,
but it is our job
to respect them.
To treat a name
like the person
it modifies.

I knew a man
once,
named
Harry Dong.
No Lie!
Great guy!
Though we all
had to work
hard
not to giggle.
He could have
changed his name,
to something more
inconspicuous,
but it would not
have changed
his essence.
And I admired his
determination
to keep his
birth name,
forcing us
to get over it.
He deserved our
understanding, and
our respect.
So does
Pussy Riot.
"...That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet." (William Shakespeare)

The child nodded,
in understanding,
and walked away
muttering,
"I swear she has a Shakespeare quote
for everything!"

Sally

You Did It...First Time

You got a job son
I'm so proud of you Desmond
Now you're on your way

Sally

The Telephone Conversation 

Ring, ring.

“Penelope’s Party Emporium. How may I help you?”

“Oh Hello. I am calling to arrange a Princess Party for a four year old.”

“Of course. No problem. What is your daughter’s name?”

“It’s for my son. His name is Conner.”

“You did say a Princess Party right?”

“Yes I did.”

“I don’t think we do the Princess Party for boys. We offer the Dinosaur Party, the Super Hero Party and the Jungle Safari themes for boys.”

“He has his heart set on a Princess Party. I’m not sure why it makes a difference to you. I pay the bill at the end regardless of the theme.”

“It’s more that we don’t want to set a precedence for that kind of behaviour. We have chosen our themes based on what most kids like. We're not here to rock the boat and make anyone feel uncomfortable.”

“For your information, the only one uncomfortable with this is YOU, and my kid is not 'most' kids. He is unique and beautiful, and deserves to choose his own party theme, whether it fits your standards or not. My son loves Princesses. He loves pink, and he'd rather play with dolls than play sports. If by ‘that kind of behaviour’ you are suggesting that it's gay, then I need to remind you that he is only four years old. Could it not just be that he likes pink? With over seven billion people in the world all wanting different things, it seems insane to limit our choices to gender stereotypes. And if it turns out that he is gay, I have every intension of celebrating and cherishing every aspect of who he is. So screw you and your narrow minded perspective on the world!”

Click.

Dial tone.

Sigh.

Everything I wish I had said to that bag on the phone.

Sally

FREE PUSSY RIOT
      I am re-posting this poem for the last time today, in support of the Russian Punk Band that was imprisoned for singing out against their government. Please share this information, and join forces against this kind of inhumanity!

Refuse to Stay Quiet!

“…never yielded to conformity

     But stood like kings

In a chariot that’s riding on

     A record wheel.” (The Cat Empire)

I was fueled and perturbed

when I heard the news,

about a band of rebel ladies

who were speaking the truth.

Have we not learned our lesson

about freedom of speech?

Have we not been told by the greatest souls

who have taken time to teach.

So many brilliant people

have learnt it all before.

Let the universe know we’ve evolved,

we’ve opened a new door.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Listen to the great ones,

and remember every lesson.

No one should be in jail,

for having an opinion.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

We’ve known for hundreds of years

that we’re made of the same blood.

We all have traditions, thoughts and beliefs,

and a right to our freedom.

“One tribe ya’ll

We are one people.” (The Black Eyed Peas)

“If you prick us, do we not bleed?

if you tickle us, do we not laugh?

if you poison us, do we not die?

and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” (William Shakespeare)

"Music is a universal language for all people” (Above The Law)

“And who decides what’s right to hear? You?

I want the right to speak,

I want the right to walk where I wanna,

yell I’m gonna.”(Ice T)

“…what they’re really trying to do is shut off our access to

information

itself.” (Jello Biafra)

“Imagine life without a choice at all

Given no hope without a voice at all.” (Jurassic 5)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

A group of musical ladies

singing out against the government.

Charged and sentenced as hooligans,

leaves the world in awed wonderment.

“…and some of us are very hungry now to hear what it is you’ve done that was so wrong. 

…A singer must die for the lie in his voice,

And I thank you, I thank you for doing your duty,

You keepers of truth,

you guardians of beauty.” (Leonard Cohen)

“We gotta make a change…

Let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live

And let’s change the way we treat each other.” (Tupac Shakur)

“If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make a change.” (Michael Jackson)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Let’s stand behind these woman,

let’s help them in their strife.

Let’s speak out against injustice,

as they pay with years of life.

“Stand up, all victims of oppression

For the tyrants fear your might.” (Billy Bragg)

 “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery

None but ourselves can free our minds.” (Bob Marley)

“Ain’t no fascists gonna stop me, no Nazis gonna keep me,

From marching down freedom’s road.” (Ziggy Marley)

“So don’t be afraid to let them show

Your true colors.” (Cyndi Lauper)

“I hope some day you’ll join us

And the world will live as one.” (John Lennon)

“That will be the day when all of God’s children

will be able to sing with a new meaning…” (Dr. Martin Luther King Junior)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Listen to the great ones,

and remember every lesson.

No one should be in jail,

for having an opinion.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Sally

Happy Birthday Tim

When I mentioned it was

your birthday,
my husband and I got to talking,
in the kitchen,
as we often do on a
Saturday afternoon.
It came to my attention that he
has never seen
“The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
HE HAS NEVER SEEN “THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS!”
My partner of 20 years
has never seen
one of the greatest
films EVER made!

You see,
this surprises me because
my husband 

is an outstanding 

musician.
I know he has a
genuine admiration for
Danny Elfman
(we are children
of the 80’s and could
appreciate the talent of
Oingo Boingo…),
but more importantly,
when my husband conducted
piano lessons in the 90’s,
he was known as the
cool teacher
who taught his students the
theme song
from
“The Simpson’s”
during the first lesson.
He appreciates
Danny Elfman,
but he has never heard him
as Jack Skellington!
I know it will
blow his mind!
And I am so
excited to witness it.
To behold someone 

spellbound
by your magic
for the first time.

Thank You
Tim Burton,
for creating this opportunity.
Happy Birthday!
May you live
many more years,
with multifarious
masterpieces
to come.

Sally

FREE PUSSY RIOT
         I have been asked to post this poem again in order to allow this topic more exposure. I will post it again both today and tomorrow in hopes of drawing more attention and compassion for the issue. The more we talk, and the less we tolerate this kind of injustice, the greater chance we all have to live in an admirable world! Spread the word, show your support... Refuse to stay quiet!

Refuse to Stay Quiet!

“…never yielded to conformity

     But stood like kings

In a chariot that’s riding on

     A record wheel.” (The Cat Empire)

I was fueled and perturbed

when I heard the news,

about a band of rebel ladies

who were speaking the truth.

Have we not learned our lesson

about freedom of speech?

Have we not been told by the greatest souls

who have taken time to teach.

So many brilliant people

have learnt it all before.

Let the universe know we’ve evolved,

we’ve opened a new door.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Listen to the great ones,

and remember every lesson.

No one should be in jail,

for having an opinion.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

We’ve known for hundreds of years

that we’re made of the same blood.

We all have traditions, thoughts and beliefs,

and a right to our freedom.

“One tribe ya’ll

We are one people.” (The Black Eyed Peas)

“If you prick us, do we not bleed?

if you tickle us, do we not laugh?

if you poison us, do we not die?

and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” (William Shakespeare)

"Music is a universal language for all people” (Above The Law)

“And who decides what’s right to hear? You?

I want the right to speak,

I want the right to walk where I wanna,

yell I’m gonna.”(Ice T)

“…what they’re really trying to do is shut off our access to

information

itself.” (Jello Biafra)

“Imagine life without a choice at all

Given no hope without a voice at all.” (Jurassic 5)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

A group of musical ladies

singing out against the government.

Charged and sentenced as hooligans,

leaves the world in awed wonderment.

“…and some of us are very hungry now to hear what it is you’ve done that was so wrong. 

…A singer must die for the lie in his voice,

And I thank you, I thank you for doing your duty,

You keepers of truth,

you guardians of beauty.” (Leonard Cohen)

“We gotta make a change…

Let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live

And let’s change the way we treat each other.” (Tupac Shakur)

“If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make a change.” (Michael Jackson)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Let’s stand behind these woman,

let’s help them in their strife.

Let’s speak out against injustice,

as they pay with years of life.

“Stand up, all victims of oppression

For the tyrants fear your might.” (Billy Bragg)

 “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery

None but ourselves can free our minds.” (Bob Marley)

“Ain’t no fascists gonna stop me, no Nazis gonna keep me,

From marching down freedom’s road.” (Ziggy Marley)

“So don’t be afraid to let them show

Your true colors.” (Cyndi Lauper)

“I hope some day you’ll join us

And the world will live as one.” (John Lennon)

“That will be the day when all of God’s children

will be able to sing with a new meaning…” (Dr. Martin Luther King Junior)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Listen to the great ones,

and remember every lesson.

No one should be in jail,

for having an opinion.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Sally

The Best Damn Tofu Dog Ever!

Is this my tofu dog?
Thanks You!
Chomp chomp
Chew chew
Slaver
Stop
Sniff
Are you sure this is a tofu dog?
"Of course. I only cooked one especially for you."
Chomp chomp
Chew chew
Drool
This is the best damn tofu dog I've ever had!
"Mommy. I think I got a tofu dog by mistake."
That would mean mine is...
Chomp chomp
Chew chew
Slobber
I seriously need to
re-evaluate my
vegetarianism.

Sally

It Feels Like… 

It feels like those thirty seconds when you can’t find your keys at the bottom of your purse and you think that they're gone.

It feels like the anticipating passage of time when you awake to look at your clock and it’s five minutes before your alarm is supposed to go off.

It feels like going to sleep on the night of your birthday, knowing you have a whole other year to wait.

It feels like a well that makes no splash when you drop in a pebble.

It feels like toast without butter.

It feels like cake without the icing.

It feels like shoes without laces.

It feels like inside out socks.

It feels like sand in your Crocks.

It just doesn’t feel right when you’re gone!

Sally

Sent my daughter off to camp today... Sigh! Here's a Tanka for Aeden.

My Favourite Daughter

Off to Improv Camp.
I'm so proud you are finding
your own direction.
Don't talk to any boys please,
and come home safely to me!

Sally

Good Evening!
      This one took me all day! This is a Cento, which means patchwork in Latin. It is made up of lines from other poets, intertwined with some of my own text. It speaks to a topic that has really resonated with me. I'd love to hear your opinions, and insights to any corrections or inaccuracies in my quotations. Thanks for letting me share!

Refuse to Stay Quiet!

“…never yielded to conformity

     But stood like kings

In a chariot that’s riding on

     A record wheel.” (The Cat Empire)

I was fueled and perturbed

when I heard the news,

about a band of rebel ladies

who were speaking the truth.

Have we not learned our lesson

about freedom of speech?

Have we not been told by the greatest souls

who have taken time to teach.

So many brilliant people

have learnt it all before.

Let the universe know we’ve evolved,

we’ve opened a new door.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Listen to the great ones,

and remember every lesson.

No one should be in jail,

for having an opinion.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

We’ve known for hundreds of years

that we’re made of the same blood.

We all have traditions, thoughts and beliefs,

and a right to our freedom.

“One tribe ya’ll

We are one people.” (The Black Eyed Peas)

“If you prick us, do we not bleed?

if you tickle us, do we not laugh?

if you poison us, do we not die?

and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” (William Shakespeare)

"Music is a universal language for all people” (Above The Law)

“And who decides what’s right to hear? You?

I want the right to speak,

I want the right to walk where I wanna,

yell I’m gonna.”(Ice T)

“…what they’re really trying to do is shut off our access to

information

itself.” (Jello Biafra)

“Imagine life without a choice at all

Given no hope without a voice at all.” (Jurassic 5)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

A group of musical ladies

singing out against the government.

Charged and sentenced as hooligans,

leaves the world in awed wonderment.

“…and some of us are very hungry now to hear what it is you’ve done that was so wrong. 

…A singer must die for the lie in his voice,

And I thank you, I thank you for doing your duty,

You keepers of truth,

you guardians of beauty.” (Leonard Cohen)

“We gotta make a change…

Let’s change the way we eat, let’s change the way we live

And let’s change the way we treat each other.” (Tupac Shakur)

“If you wanna make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make a change.” (Michael Jackson)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Let’s stand behind these woman,

let’s help them in their strife.

Let’s speak out against injustice,

as they pay with years of life.

“Stand up, all victims of oppression

For the tyrants fear your might.” (Billy Bragg)

 “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery

None but ourselves can free our minds.” (Bob Marley)

“Ain’t no fascists gonna stop me, no Nazis gonna keep me,

From marching down freedom’s road.” (Ziggy Marley)

“So don’t be afraid to let them show

Your true colors.” (Cyndi Lauper)

“I hope some day you’ll join us

And the world will live as one.” (John Lennon)

“That will be the day when all of God’s children

will be able to sing with a new meaning…” (Dr. Martin Luther King Junior)

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Listen to the great ones,

and remember every lesson.

No one should be in jail,

for having an opinion.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Refuse to stay quiet.

Free Pussy Riot.

Sally

                The Salt Spring Symphony

On an early Friday morn, we stood below the horn,

as the Queen of Tsawwassen carried us out to sea.

Our family on Salt Spring greeted us, and we were all quite curious

to meet the man who is making my Sallis happy.

With open arms they waited, steamed crab they had created,

and we supped and played Apples to Apples with glee.

We slept to the insect concerto, cocooned in a yoga studio,

feeling tranquil, serene, and as content as can be.

In the morning we got cash, an allowance to buy a stash

at the Farmer’s market full of great delights.

Then we were treated to a wonderful breakfast, and quickly did we dash

back to the market for more of the Island sights.

Floyd sauntered ahead, into the crowd he fled,

engulfed by lime, crimson, olive and yellow.

We bought soap and goat’s cheese, food that brought us to our knees,

and later on we met Darryl, quite a fellow.

Then we all feasted together, at a table longer than ever,

artichokes and lasagna that would impress a naturopath.

After supper we started a game, where we acted out famous names,

while Darryl told a joke about taking a milk bath.

We laughed to no end, when the game did begin

and Aunty Sallis did her impression of Jim Carrey.

Then we giggled some more, when I took the floor,

and made Tiger Woods look really scary!

It all came to an end, at 6:30 am,

when we had to get up to catch the 7:15 ferry.

We will never forget this weekend, and our sensational friends.

Many thanks to our hosts, Aaron and Sheri.

To my remarkable friend Sallis, Godmother to my gang,

I thank you for always filling the aching void.

You remind me to live to the fullest, and how to relax and hang.

Lets meet again soon my Sallis…and Floyd!

Sally

Christos

For my husband...

Can you believe it was 20 years ago that Bertolt Brecht introduced us?

Having to pee in the middle of our conversation on the bus. You ran away, and made me curious.

Realizing that your musical talents were a relentless magnet.

Inviting me to your cabin in the woods solidified my commitment. 

Seeing the beautiful children that you made, and your Robin Williams parenting style, keeps 
the laughter consistent. 

Triumphantly relocating huge spiders and killer moths is your speciality.

Oh "I treat my body like a temple, you treat yours like a tent." (Jimmy Buffet-Fruitcakes)

Simple & satisfying is the life you seek, Mr. Hyde helps you out when you start to peak. 

Sally

For Desmond... My first pancake!


Desmond Jacob, named for two great men. Desmond Tutu and my dad should be proud.

Every time I look at you, I wonder who this MAN is in my house.

Sincerely enthusiastic about Rugby, waking up early and training to be your best!

Making me a mommy for the first time, and teaching me the parenting ropes.

Outrageously handsome whether you're sporting your Jew-fro or head-hugging fuzz.

Never too old, or too big, to speak from the heart and give your Ma a hug.

Dearly loved by your family, and the siblings you terrorize daily.


Sally (aka Ma)

My kids have been reading my blog!
    So when my daughter came to me wanting to discuss what she had seen, I was sure that she was going to give me heck for some of the content, and saying "shit" in one of the poems (this is the child who refuses to say Amsterdam... because of the 'dam'). It turned out that she wondered if I was going to write an acrostic about her, like I did for Liam after Shakespeare camp. Easy solution. Here is an acrostic for Aeden. I will post one for both Desmond (my big boy) and Chris (my biggest child) over the next couple of days. Enjoy my family!

Aeden, you are my only girl... Need I say more?

Every morning when I wake you up, you smile, then play Beatles albums. How cool is that?

Daring to try out for the Junior Improv Team, down to earth, caring, and an amazing student!

Every day that I spend with you I feel like the luckiest mom alive.

Now just keep your room tidy, and wash your jeans periodically, and you'd be flawless (although we both agree that flawless is highly over-rated!!!)


Sally

Happy Tuesday!
     Writing about celebrities got me thinking about the ones that really manage to make a difference. Ellen Degeneres is a woman for whom I have all possible respect. Here is a Tanka for her.

Right Back Atcha

You're remarkable.
You're brave, outspoken, and fair.
You've got laughs to share.
Saving the face of human-
ity, one hug at a time.

Sally

Fame’s Albatross

Have you ever
noticed
the price
that is paid
by celebrities?
The fact that
fame
devours
their anonymity
to the extent that
we not only get to enjoy
their
brilliance
and artistic integrity on
the screen,
and in the public eye,
but that their
private lives
become a
continuation
of the performance.
Their romances,
their heartbreak,
their lazy make-up days,
their intimate conversations
with their loved ones.

I recall
riding the
skytrain
one night
when a random man
took a random
picture
of a random woman.
She freaked out!
She called security.
They stopped the train
and the cops came.
Apparently,
we have the right
not
to be in other
peoples’ pictures.
So what about

the
rich & famous?
Chopped liver?
I hate to point out the obvious
but it seems
excruciatingly unfair
that popularity
gives you a
one way ticket
to the Paparazzi Parade.

Can’t we just
celebrate
their gifts
and be grateful
that they are willing
to undergo
the pains
and challenges
of creating
great art?
Or making

unforgettable
contributions
to our world?
Must we really

know the flavour
of their
toothpaste?

Sally

WOW!
     I am entirely surprised and thrilled to discover that 600 people have viewed my blog. Who are you??? If you view on a regular and consistent basis, please feel free to become a follower of the blog. That would make me feel very special. Also, please comment! I'd love to know whether the commentary is working for you, or if you would prefer that I just shush, and stick to the poems. Would you like me to provide a regular description of each poetic form, or again, just stick to the poetry? There have been over 100 views from Russia. RUSSIA!!!!! That's amazing! I'd love to know who you are... and thank you so very much for reading my writing!
     Here is a Tanka. This form was originally used in the rituals of Japanese courting. It's like a Haiku, but with two more lines of 7 syllables.

The Morning After

The sun is shining.
The heat is wafting inside
where it's frigid and
solemn with the remnants of
the angry words that we shared.

Sally

Salutations!
    Here is a poem that I think would make a hilarious animated film for adults, preferably a Tim Burton stop-frame. Sigal, this is for you... because we both immediately knew that it would make a fun poem!

Bouncy Castles

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz
Fly Fly
Bzzzzzzzzzzzz
Fly Fly
What a glorious
summer's eve
Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fly Fly

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fly Fly

What to do

What to do

Sweet, fluffy bread

for appetizers

Then sensational beef

hot on the BBQ

oozing with succulent  

juices

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Drool Drool

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Drool Drool

I even dipped in for

some wine

Scaling the edges of

the glass

with ease

Sigh

an evening of triumph 

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fly Fly

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fly Fly

Wait!

Alas!

What do I see?

A perfect

playful ending

to this 

astounding night

Bouncy Castles!!!

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fly Fly

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Fly Fly

Can it be

that I should be

so lucky?

Weeeee

Yippee

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Boing Boing

Bzzzzzzzzzzzz

Boing Boing

"Aaaak

a fly just went

down my shirt!"

yelled Leora

as she leaped up

and thrashed at her 

chest.

Sally

The Dahab 'Trip'

Good Morning!
    All that I can say about this following poem is that it really happened. I got the details first hand from those who experienced it. We never saw JJ again. So if you're out there JJ... this is for you! And remember... drugs are BAD!!!

The Dahab 'Trip'

They had only just
met.
As is the way
in places
like this.

They were in the Sinai,
in the desert.
In a wooden hut
with a thatched roof.
Thrown together,
solo travelers.
In sleeping bags
staring at the stars.

JJ was British,
a tourist in a
foreign land.
Monty,
a Canadian Jew
visiting his
girlfriend
in the holyland.

They were making
small talk.
Trying to find
familiar constellations
that seemed backwards
and upside down.

There was a knock
on their hut,
and a thick
German accent called out
"Are you game to party?"
Monty & JJ looked at each other.
They nodded and admitted the
newest stranger.
The strangest
stranger.

After brief introductions,
the German
whipped out his
schlong.
It was covered in
piercings.
While Monty & JJ
cupped their own
junk
in pierce-less relief,
the German pulled out
another curious item.

It appeared to be a piece
of paper.
When they looked more
closely,
they saw the face of
Gorbachev.
Four tabs of
LSD
coalesced together
to create the president's face.

Monty & JJ chose the
quadrant
with the birthmark.
They split one tab,
and their adventure began.

JJ had a Turkish coffee
while Monty
puked in the Red Sea.
They walked past
a man
talking to a donkey.
They witnessed a
mob
carrying a
hammerhead
shark.

They walked
and talked
like long lost
brothers,
and they laughed
and laughed
and laughed.

At the peak of a
shrilling
hysterical
crescendo
there fell a moment of
silence.
When both
tripping minds
paused to listen,
and catch their breath.
It was at that moment
that they heard it.
A sound
in the distance.
Voices?
Laughter?
Drums?
Barking?
Dogs?

Their hearts
quickened.
Wait.
Listen.
Dogs?
It began to
register.
JJ looked up at
the full
glowing moon,
then at Monty.
Definitely dogs!
Getting closer
RUN!

All they could see
was the open door
of their hut.
One lone candle
in the centre of the
room
guiding their way.

DOGS!
RUN!
And they did.
As fast as their
drug induced legs could
carry them.
RUN!
The door was getting closer.
So were the dogs.

Sand under their feet
RUN!
Monty in the doorway
beckoning.
'Come on JJ
they're right behind you
RUN!'
It was then
that JJ tripped
in the sand.
Watching it happen in
slow motion,
Monty ran out
to this veritable
stranger.
He scooped his
brother
out of the sand
and carried him into the safety
of their hut.

Just as the
hook met the eye
the door began to quake.
They stood there
like sand bags
holding back
a flood.
Stunned.
JJ staring at his saviour.

Then they
laughed.
So hard it hurt.
Was this really happening?
Was there really a
pack
of wild desert dogs
trying to eat them
alive?
Who knew.
They just laughed.
Maybe it was the
nerves,
relief,
or the acid.
But they laughed
until the sun came up.

Drugged,
sleepless,
and ever so slightly
shaken,
they slipped the
hook out of the eye,
and opened the door
to the now silent
compound.

Ruin.
Wreckage.
Anything accessible
was shredded to
bits.

Monty & JJ
looked in
horror,
realizing that
it really did
happen.
They almost died a
horrible death
via wild desert dogs.

The evidence was
all around them.
They looked at
each other.
Forever changed,
forever fused
by Gorbachev's
birthmark.

Sally

Good Afternoon,
    I thought I'd post something along the line of yesterdays poem. I consider this to be from my darker, more reflective collection. Not quite the pull out the tissue and shotgun category (that side of me is usually hibernating in the summer), but more of the 'Why is life so tricky?' perspective on things. Here's a little Cinquain to think about. Just because the teacher in me can't help it, a Cinquain is a 5 line, 22 syllable poem. The syllables are divided amongst the lines in a specific pattern (2, 4, 6, 8, 2). Like Haikus, I find this format is excellent for condensing a plethora of thought.

I Don't Get It

Loving
is exhausting
when you don't feel loved back
It makes one question the point of
it all

Sally

"Hey World" (Thank you Michael Franti for that quote)
    OK... enough with the sugar coated, soft and mushy.... Here is a Didactic, Metaphor poem that says a little too much.

The Poo and the Shoe

There was a time, in the not so distant past,

when a beautiful shoe was running quite fast.

She was slim, very colourful, and ever so sleek,

and she kept an even rhythm as she ran along the street.

She seemed to be heading in a very clear direction.

She was confident, determined, and filled with intention.

As is the reality in the life of a shoe,

she happened to step in a pile of poo.

She continued to run as the poo clung on firmly.

The shoe made a plan to get rid of it in a hurry.

With each stomping pace the shoe tried to rub off,

the poo that had stuck to her sole, it was tough.

She decided to alter her tactic and see

if open negotiation was the way to be free

from the lump that had started to make himself at home,

on the bottom of her shoe as she continued to roam.

Now a funny thing happened to the shoe and the poo.

Little pooplets developed in the shapes in the grooves

that lined the bottom of her fancy sneaker,

and she started to wonder if the poo was a keeper.

She became quite attached to these pooplets you see,

and proceeded to call them poops 1, 2 and 3.

The poo, it did seem, had traits that were admirable.

It was warm, ever present, quirky and reliable.

She began to forget there had been a time without it,

that once her life was simple and free from all this shit.

But she knew in her heart that the poo was now family,

so she stomped along in her shit pile, trying hard to stay happy.

Sometimes it felt like she was doing all the work,

while the poo rode along, hollering instructions and being a jerk.

Many years have passed, and the pooplets have grown strong.

Despite the challenges, and rancid smells, the shoe carries on.

She sometimes fights the desire to rub the poo right off,

But she knows that the poo would look up and scoff,

“Be rid of me, if you please, but know this to be true,

there’s a great deal of likelihood you’ll just step in more poo.”

She thought about this, and chose to leave it so,

as you’re better off with the pile of poo that you know.

So when life feels imposing, like you can’t handle it,

remember every adventure can land you in shit!

Sally

We're back!
     It was a wonderful long weekend and I've returned home with my two boys, leaving my daughter and husband at the cabin.  What fun! I wrote several poems over the past few days. Here is a Pleiades about my sons.

BOYS

Boys, I have two
Beside me on the boat, waving to those we've left behind
Balancing on the dock as we say goodbye to grandpa and skip over to our new car
Biting into our snacks 10 seconds after getting in the car
Blaring music
Belting out the words to our favourite songs
Believing that I am blessed with two boys

Sally

Greetings from Whistler!
       I'm on my romantic, anniversary retreat. We're leaving Whistler shortly, and heading off into camping country. We'll spend a night in Pemberton then head over to the cabin at McGillivray Falls. These are not only the last few Haikus in the Anniversary Series, but the last post I can make for a couple of days. We'll be enjoying some time off the grid! I'll keep writing, and post when we return on Monday. Thanks for reading!

Effort


We hiked to Nairn Falls
Took pictures and had our lunch
Held hands on the way


Blink

Today is the day
That I pledged my love for you
Sixteen years ago

I Love You

I booked the weekend
I planned and cooked every meal
Because I love you!

Say It


I don't need gold rings
Or other fancy tokens
Just say you love me!

Sally

Sigh


At a nice hotel
Making sweet romance with Chris
Investing in love

Sally

That Will Do

Thank you for the car
I would have been happy with
roses and a card

Sally

When I over-think, Haikus are great for condensing the static. Here is the Anniversary Series Continued...

         Christos

Think of all the meals
The toilets cleaned biweekly
Think of the brownies!

Sally