neighbour

sharing warmth
and the red light glow
cast by our "hobo stick fire"
oh and big laughs
every time Tommy
tried to talk
or tell a story
without cursing

just a cold night
clinking colder bottles
singing Hip lyrics
 loud

our secret
Canadian handshake
these words

Hey man, thanks.



Gord 1964-2017

june prayer

i)

sweeping up
the last few
scattered bits
of sawdust
sunbeam motes
spin

ii)

wide stance
   bracing
pulling up
deep muddy logs
clearing a tiny
rivulet path



Brother Ollie - the Tired Monk

prayer - 8

no gusts
no bursts of cold wind sleet
just an unwavering wall
of Arctic air

the tired monk banks
the fire up
lights another lamp

prayer - 7

the tried monk
becomes aware
of basement noise
not the skittering
of mice this time

just the soft
sweet singing
of the novices

a gentle
happy sound
coming up
through the vents

prayer - 6

the old coleman stove
pops to life
the tired monk
pulls his toque down
huddles
 waits
for the heat to build

a gust drops
a skiff of snow
down over bowed head

prayer - 5

sun sets
just a dash
of warm colour
through the forest

cold seeps
in slow and steady
temple dogs
snuggle
in deeper

the tried monk
lights the hearth
flame