There’s an ancient
thing of wisdom
in a cavern
in the sea;
deep down in murky waters
lying, sleeping peacefully.
At times it will awaken
take a travel-contemplation
or perhaps a short vacation
to collect new wisdom-seeds.
Sometimes it peeks
out from beneath
those liquid silvery waves;
then it dives and waters quiver;
just like diamonds on a river.
Then the diamond dancers fold their
crystal wings above its’ head.
Throughout umbral brine it searches
for others of its’ kind;
often stops to ponder
if it’s all that has survived.
We may thrill to glimpse it
as it bobs amid the waves
of the Okanagan, Loch Ness
or some other distant place.
Perhaps its’ mind’s about to burst
with the knowledge of the past;
after centuries of living
in the dark abysmal mass.
We humans must not harm it
or let anyone alarm it;
for it could be that this dragon
is a wise and gentle thing.
Perhaps within its’ heart lie the notes
that will make this planet sing.
1-3-2022
A STRAND (1045) Poetry Contest
Brian Strand
In sunny days of joy we climbed aboard,
Wide eyed, Wellingtons and Duffels.
Sat on salty varnished benches,
handed weighted feathers and orange string.
Kraken was the one to know,
Six fish on a line would show you so.
We honed our skills in Girl Pats arms,
Whilst humble feasts defined us.
Okanagan knew the score!
With turbo knives and plunging boom,
we danced with butterflies and doom.
In summers ever after.
Under Krakens watchful eye
We kissed and tryst and laughed and lost,
Daring feats with exploration,
the ties we bound would save us.
Kraken whisked us in a party
Juggling fiery wit, and poison.
I pranced and posed and shivered fools,
Okanagan then was dead.
Days defined by those that tread upon them,
this day was one of those.
Mourning, heavy, thick and slow.
Crowds, a blurring backdrop.
Of course Kraken came to sooth us,
we floated in her arms.
With petals and dust, my heroes troubled soul alighted,
Returning to the sea.
A smile, a knowing nudge and nod, it brightened.
There’s much more than this, you’ll see.
Thunder and lightning
Without any rain
Spells big trouble
Here we go again
Our spring flooding season
Has barely came to an end
Wildfire season is now here
So hard to comprehend
The firefighters scramble
The helicopters are in flight
All are working extremely hard
To take on this difficult fight
The inevitable knock on the door
Given the evacuation alert
Be prepared to leave
The police men assert
Anxiety and fear
Harder to ignore
Pack up the essentials
Keep them by the door
All the hardworking crews
Are gaining the upper hand
My evacuation notice is lifted
Won’t have to leave my land
My nightmare is over
But the fight is far from done
Firefighters will still be busy
They’re in it for the long run
** I’ve been pretty busy, and unable to write for a while. There are 3 wildfires within 20 kilometres of my place here in the Okanagan Valley. I’m in a safe place, but if the wind picks up, things could drastically change. :(
They say, “Nessie is dead”,
because there haven’t been sightings, for years.
Ogopogo still lives, as does M’okele M’bembe.
What if they are one in the same?
Oceans, caves and caverns,
are spanning the globe;
what lies within its bowels,
remains undefined.
Perhaps, “Nessie”, tires of being ogled;
spends the summers in Lake Okanagan and
winters in the warm, Gold Coast waters?
Perhaps, Nessie ages in a warmer,
more private climate?
Why stop and smile for the
underwater cameras?
Even water giants, can be…
Paparazzi-shy...
Ancient and time-worn legends,
Never really die;
perhaps fracked earth,
has simply added another room,
to her lair;
a secret hide away?
Wild horses gallop over the fermented
lands of the Okanagan
in southern
British Columbia-
toward the mountains-
toward the Pacific ocean-
It’s a living flight of beauty-
a stampede of hearts
that pound the land-pulsing-
And at the end of the trail
in the ocean rain-
the necks of the horses rise
up like towers of pride
establishing(in the thunder
with their hierarchy-
the order of the wilds-California Blue
There’s an ancient
Thing of wisdom
In a cavern
In the sea;
Deep down in murky waters
Lying, sleeping peacefully.
At times it will awaken
Take a travel-contemplation
Or perhaps a short vacation
To collect new wisdom-seeds.
Sometimes it peeks
Out from beneath
Those liquid silvery waves;
Then it dives and waters quiver;
Just like diamonds on a river.
Then the diamond dancers fold their
Crystal wings above its’ head.
Throughout umbral brine it searches
For others of its’ kind;
Often stops to ponder
If it’s all that has survived.
We may thrill to glimpse it
As it bobs amid the waves
Of the Okanagan, Loch Ness
Or some other distant place.
Perhaps its’ mind’s about to burst
With the knowledge of the past;
After centuries of living
In the dark abysmal mass.
We humans must not harm it
Or let anyone alarm it;
For it could be that this dragon
Is a wise and gentle thing.
Perhaps within its’ heart lie notes
That make this planet sing.
Awaken taste buds
Lovely Linda
Makes food tasty
Um um good
Peach Chipotle BBQ Sauce
Your taste buds won’t
Be the same
Chipotle is the one to blame.
Peach & Apple Salsa
Time to have a siesta
Red Wine Antipasto
Divine
All you need is a glass of wine
Olive Tapenade
Takes you over to a promenade
Fire & Ice Wine
When cooking it’s smelly
That now turns into a Jelly
Cranberry & Jalapeño Vinaigrette
One try
Your taste buds won’t forget
Lemon & Dill
Smells all the way down the hill
I have to tell you
Go on the web
Tasteoftheokanagan.com
Where you will find foods galore
The Best of the sunny Okanagan
You will ask for more.
The window guys came to install the new glass. They took away the old glass that had become filled with moisture. The seals had failed, the result of nineteen years of Okanagan sun beating down on them. It's funny how we don't notice how things deteriorate over time, it happens so gradually, then one day you wake up and see and wonder why it took you so long to notice. I have had this happen with relationships so now I am ever vigilant when it comes to the ones I love. Unlike my windows I don't wish them to be replaced or perhaps I should worry that they may wish to replace me. The light is now shining into our home and as I look at my wife I smile and we look out the window together. The view seems better with someone I love by my side.
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