Monthly Archives: July 2015

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Tarnished Tiara

Her zombie steps shuffle along streets and alleys,
hair knotted and matted in unintended dreadlocks.
The cracked husk of her tarnished veneer reflects,
momentarily, in a boutique window and catches her eye.

Startled, she stares.

She glimpses a forgotten piece of her former self
beyond the plate glass. Flickers of another life
glint like sunshine on the glazed surface. Her
eyes close against the brightness.

A businessman in a navy suit, talking on his phone,
bumps her out of her reverie. He hurries on
without a glance, like stepping over dog shit.

She withdraws,
a hermit crab sliding into the safety of her shell,
disappears into her invisible life, slinking
along the streets.

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Royal Duty

FrenchCards

(internet photo)
Queen of hearts peeks from behind knave of clubs
into a sea of grey and white heads bobbing
throughout the room.
Eyes are downcast in devotion to the royal court
fanned out before the lords and ladies,
and peasants, too.
Quiet devotion is interrupted by muted coughs or
the occasional chair scraping the floor.
The snap of cards
hitting the table salute allegiance to powerful
houses of kings. Any deviation from
ruling principles
results in immediate penalty. Festivities continue
until the last of the regal families
have exited behind
closed doors. A lucky few go away smiling as they
carry grand gifts bestowed upon them.
The rest return
home dreaming that next time a grandiose touch
of sovereignty will be in the cards
for them.

 

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Birdwood Traverse #1

20150711_084418_resized_1DSCN1694

(personal photos)

I recently hiked Birdwood Traverse with my husband and friends. It is amazing that only 1 1/2 hours from city limits a backcountry experience can be had. This week I am sharing some of the photos we took on this wonderful hike. Over the course of the day we experienced a wide variety of terrain. Alpine meadows were in full bloom. We passed through the territory of a resident grizzly. Many signs of his activity could be seen (such as diggings, and fresh scat) but we did not see the alpine giant. However, a young male moose did greet us as we were parking our truck! I know photos can never quite do justice to actually being there but I hope you enjoy this vicarious trip 🙂

Distant mountains wait
feet take cold water plunge
meadow mud anoints